Twin Falls, Idaho
March 27 - 30, 2012 At the College of Southern Idaho
2012 INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Jacob Ewer, MS, OSHA Compliance Officer
Jacob has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Biology from Utah State University and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Health from the University of Michigan. He has worked for OSHA for 6 years and for the University of Michigan’s Hospitals and Health Centers for nearly three years before that. As a Health Compliance Officer for OSHA, he conducts both health and safety inspections. Jacob is one of three compliance officers that have been trained in and conduct PSM related inspections.
Cecil Tipton, OSHA Compliance Officer
Cecil has a Bachelor’s Degree from Auburn University. He has worked for OSHA for more than five years and has an extensive background in the health care field. As a Health Compliance Officer for OSHA he conducts both health and safety inspections. Cecil is one of three compliance officers that have been trained in and conduct PSM related inspections.
Pamela Burkett, Idaho Industrial Commission
As a native of the Magic Valley, I have a great understanding of its unique qualities. I graduated from Twin Falls High School and have a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from LCSC. I worked for 10 years with the Idaho Department of Labor. From this employment experience, I developed skills in placement of workers and expertise in unemployment tax law. I have worked for the Idaho Industrial Commission for 14 years as an Office Supervisor and Rehabilitation Consultant. I have completed 1,000 on site job evaluations to assist doctors, employers and injured workers in return to work. I have helped return over 700 workers to work with their time of injury employers and have provided vocational counseling to 800 workers.
Geri Bermingham, Idaho Industrial Commission
Geri has been an investigator for the Idaho Industrial Commission for a more than nine years and has an assigned territory that covers eleven counties in Central and Southern Idaho. Her background includes 16 years in law enforcement, eight years in retail management and sales, five years as an office manager in the private sector in medical and agricultural field, four years in the automotive repair industry and one year in the manufacturing community. In addition to the full time positions, she has also worked in the airline industry, jewelry trade and food service industry, all of which has given her great insight to the different labor industries.
August (Augie) Pirmann, Department of Transportation
Augie Pirmann has been working as a Safety Program Manager at Hill AFB, Utah for 18 years. Prior to that, he worked as a flight test aircraft mechanic on F-16, F-4, and C-130 aircraft. He is currently employed by the Air Force with 33 years of federal service. Mr. Pirmann has responsibility for safety enforcement at all construction projects on Hill AFB. He coordinates all Federal OSHA requirements for Hill AFB. In addition, he has extensive industrial safety experience in a wide variety of topics. He has taught supervisor safety, first aid, trenching, excavation, and other safety related topics in both Utah and Nevada. He is also certified as an OSHA Outreach trainer in both 10 and 30-hour construction and general industry. Augie also is a partner in a safety training and consulting business that offers full service safety programs to many businesses.
Augie lives in Uintah, Utah with his wife of 23 years, Sandy. Together they have five children. Augie has been a National Ski Patrol first aid instructor or 22 years and is a certified Utah river guide. His other interests include kite skiing and whitewater kayaking.
Robert (Bob) Topping, Ed.D.
Dr. Topping is currently serving as the Coordinating Director for Workforce Development at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. As the Coordinating Director, he is charged with identifying and qualifying key workforce core-competencies that drive regional economic development in Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. This focus at Chemeketa aligns with his doctoral dissertation, which addressed state-of-the-art designs for workplace safety, learning, career education, and workforce talent development.
A unique quality of Dr. Topping is his ability to connect Career and Technical Education (CTE) to industry. He does this by advancing learning opportunities and developing learning models within industry settings, many of which have received national attention. In his career, Dr. Topping has worked to develop, organize, and implement multiple broad-based Industry workforce initiatives to protect workers, document core competencies, and advance regional economic development, two of which were awarded a “Center of Excellence” recognition. Beyond his 20 years of experience at the collegiate level, he also brings 21years of hands-on-experience in the construction industry. During this time in his development, he held a variety positions from apprentice to Master Craftsman, culminating in earning the “Golden Hammer” award for construction management duties associated with multiple complex projects.
Gordy Gates, Western States Equipment
Gordy has worked for Western States Equipment for more than 14 years and prior to that, worked for The CAT Rental Store for nearly six years. Gordy is certified to teach safety classes for Genie Aerial Platforms and CAT warehouse and reach forklifts.
Brian Anderson, Norco, Inc.
Brian is the Safety Sales manager at Norco, Inc. and has 30 years’ experience in the welding and safety industry.
Wade Rast, Norco, Inc.
Wade works in Safety and Industry Sales for Norco Inc. and has 24 years’ experience in the welding and safety industry.
Bruce Drewes, Idaho T2 Center
Bruce Drewes is the Training and Research Manager for the Idaho Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), also called the Idaho Technology Transfer Center or T2 Center, which provides training and technical support to the 286 Local Highway Jurisdictions in Idaho. He came to this position from the Idaho Transportation Department in 2000. Bruce is currently certified to teach ATSSA Flagging, Traffic Control Technician courses, FHWA's Traffic Safety Review, Road Safety Fundamentals and Road Safety Audits. In this position, Bruce delivers about 40 classes a year in the field of work-zone traffic control, math, survey, retroreflective and other courses.
Chris Opie, United Rentals Trench Safety
Chris has worked for United Rentals Trench Safety since June 2009. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Occupational Safety and Health–Engineering Science from Montana Tech. He is an Instructor for Competent Person and Confined Space Entry, and throughout his career has worked closely with a number of industrial contractors. He has extensive knowledge regarding both Confined Space Entry and Trenching and Excavation OSHA standards.
Dave Roller, United Rentals Trench Safety
United Rentals Trench Safety instructor, Dave Roller, has knowledge and practical experience from years of working with trench safety and protective systems. He holds a BA in Education from Pacific Lutheran University and is an authorized OSHA instructor. Has developed the Confined Space Entry and Trenching/ Excavation programs currently being taught by United Rentals throughout the 70 specialized branches nation-wide.
Steve Hines, University of Idaho
Biography: Steve Hines is a University of Idaho extension educator for Twin Falls County. His primary areas of work are crop production and pesticide safety education.
Susie Vader
For over 32 years, Susie Vader has helped URS offices and projects comply with ever-changing environmental, transportation, and safety regulations. She specializes in regulatory analyses and compliance planning, and provides training in environmental regulations, DOT hazardous material transportation, waste management, emergency planning and spill response, hazard communication, and various biological, health, and safety hazards.
Lori Fletcher, McCain Foods
Lori Fletcher is the Safety and Security Manager for the McCain Foods, Burley facility, a position she has held since 2008. McCain Foods with over 60 facilities worldwide and over 20,000 employees is one of the largest food service and retail manufactures of frozen potato products and appetizers in the world. Lori has an extensive background in the food processing industry with over 30 years of experience. Starting out on the shop floor as a QC grader and lead person, she was promoted to a management position as a production supervisor, later serving as a Sanitation Supervisor and Corporate Quality Manager.
Lori has an Associate’s degree in General Business from CSI, a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Training from ISU, and an Advanced Safety Certificate from the National Safety Council. Lori has also completed the OSHA 10 hour and OSHA 30 hour course in General Industry.
Randy Norris, ITD - Dist. 4
Randy came from a farming/ranching background. He Graduated from Gooding High school in 1981 and from the College of Southern Idaho in 1982, from the Diesel mechanic program. He worked for several farm implement dealerships in the Magic Valley before starting a career at ITD in 1989. He spent 5 years as a mechanic for ITD before transferring into construction inspection. In 2005, he received a promotion to the District 4 Safety Coordinator. In 2008, he became an instructor for the OSHA 10 hour construction classes and has really enjoyed the experience, "I learn something new every time I conduct a class".
Aaron Keyes
American Heart Assocosyopm Certified Trainers, ASHI Training Center CPR/First Aid/AED & BLS Courses Safety Consulting, Auditing, and Management First Aid Supplies & Services Locally Owned and Operated
Since 2005
Eric Lowe
Risk Management and Employee Wellness Consultant for Premier Insurance, Eric has been a co-chair on the Idaho AGC Safety Committee since 2008. Chief Lowe is a 2006 retiree from the US Navy where he served for 20 years in nuclear power plants aboard submarines as a nuclear operator, trainer and supervisor. He lives in Boise but travels southern Idaho helping clients with their safety and wellness programs to improve safety, reduce claims and maintain a healthy bottom line.
Sue Jones, RN, CSI
Sue Jones, RN teaches CPR classes to CNA students and for the college. A nurse for 37 years working for home health, hospice and hospital, she is married and has raised four boys here in the Valley. Sue has been teaching the Certified Nursing Assistant course for CSI for eight years - five part time and three full time.
Sue Gee-Barney, Cedar Springs Associates, Inc.
Sue Gee-Barney founded Cedar Springs Associates, Inc., an Idaho Corporation, in 1993. Sue has performed MOCK DOT auditing, compliance consulting and training for trucking companies since 1995. She performed MOCK DOT & OSHA Audits for Insurance Carriers in Idaho and Utah from 1997-1999. She has provided instruction for DOT Compliance and Audit Ready Seminars and Supervisor’s Reasonable Suspicion Testing training since 1995.
Sue is the author and instructor for several publications, including Supervisor's Guide to Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Driver's Guide to Drug and Alcohol Abuse, How To Be Audit Ready When DOT Calls; Making Your SAFESTAT and Carrier Profile Work for You, Insurance and Financial Responsibilities, Driver Qualifications Inspections, Repairs and Maintenance; Hazardous Materials Training Requirements and Writing, and Implementing a Company Manual
Ron Collins
BS Degree Occupational Safety & Health with an emphasis on Applied Health Science (Montana Tech) 12 years combined experience as safety and risk management consultant. (BBSI, Montana State Insurance Fund, Idaho Associated General Contractors and for several companies providing service to oil and gas producers on Alaska’s North Slope and in the Gulf of Mexico. Onsite Manager of 400 plus contract employees working at Two Autoliv production facilities in Utah. Operations Manager for the contracted security services at Hewlett Packard in Boise. 15 years experience in various aspects of construction, home inspection and energy conservation.
Matt Eichinger
Construction/Industrial Sales Manager - MSA - September 2007 – Present Mine Safety Appliances, Pittsburgh, PA - ($1 billion in annual sales) Construction/Industrial Sales Manager, March 2011 - Present Grow MSA’s market share in the construction market in the state of California with primary focus on the greater Los Angeles market Support, drive and monitor key construction market opportunities with the Territory Sales Managers Communicate opportunities to key channel partners, Territory Sales Managers and the Industrial and Construction Business Development Regional Managers Provide support and training for these stake holders by using tools such as evaluations, web casting, joint sales calls, MSA meeting presentations and reach out calls Track opportunities, manage expenses, manage construction distribution and execute the NASO action plan Retail Sales Manager / Store Support Specialist, September 2007 - Present Sale of portable gas monitors, fall protection, and consumer packaged safety products to major retail accounts Manage 1000+ retail division brick and mortar stores generating revenues exceeding $30 million Train numerous retail sales associates on MSA products Merchandise 900+ Home Depot accounts across the Conduct market research to determine buying trends of distributor and end users Increase sales through detailed presentations in retail, portable instruments, and NFL licensed products Participate in trade shows and marketing clinics to increase awareness and sales
Bill Bremer PhD, CRIS, Payne Financial Group Inc.
Bill heads up the Loss Prevention Department for Payne Financial Group Inc. Bill’s department works with risk management services across all industry lines; under OSHA, MSHA DEQ, EPA, DOT and JCAHO regulatory standards. His client territory “footprint” extends throughout the Northwest, California, Wyoming, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio.
ill started his career in safety and loss prevention with the California Department of Corrections and has lent his expertise with DHH Investments, Scott Wetzel Services and TPM Resource Solutions.
Bill and his wife of more than 30 years (she is also in the insurance industry) have one son, who started his law enforcement career with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency. For fun outside work, Bill enjoys reading science and medical journals, spending time with his wife and son (especially on the Oregon coast), and teaching kids Judo. Bill was internationally ranked with the International Judo Federation during his competitive years.
Manuel Flores
Started out in Lamb Weston 15 years ago as a processing operator for about three years. He has been in maintenance about 12 years. He first became directly involved with behavior base safety when it was introduced in our plant in 2006. He has been instrumental in developing the program we have in place at this time. He is the Chairman over our Behavior observation program and continues to add to its ability to reduce accidents in our plant.
Aaron Moore, CSP, MBA, ARM, Idaho National Lab
Aaron works as a safety engineer at the Idaho National Lab (INL) on the Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) for CH2M WG Idaho (CWI) a joint venture between CH2M Hill and URS. He has worked as a safety professional for over 17 years in both construction and general industry, and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Prior to working for CWI, Aaron worked for URS as a safety manager on the Connecting Idaho Partners (CIP) project. He has taught several 10 & 30 hour OSHA classes around the country and has a Bachelors of Science (BS) degree in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety and a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA).
Jeffery L. Harris
Commitment to protecting life, health, and safety has been the driving force behind State Building & Safety Inspector, Jeff Harris. Jeff has been with the Bureau since 2004. He is certified in Plumbing, HVAC, and Building Safety. Jeff takes his job seriously because, though enforcement is not always popular, protecting the consumer is always important.
Before becoming an inspector for the State of Idaho, Jeff spent 12 years as a respected and successful plumbing contractor in the Mini-Cassia area. He always took pride in his work and even as a contractor, his concern for life, health and safety earned him a solid reputation of quality and efficiency.
Jeff was raised in the Burley area. He is married to Rebecca Toomey Harris. Together they raised 9 children and currently enjoy their 10+ grandchildren. He has been involved as a hockey coach, soccer coach, and mentor for his children. He has also been an avid promoter of the scouting program where he has served in many capacities. All 6 of his sons received their Eagle Scout award. He has always believed in the solid principles of work, leadership and service that the scouting program provides. Jeff has always loved to work with and create with his hands. He has built his own home, developed a gravel pit into a beautiful recreation area and loves to create pieces of art on his lathe.
David Fry, Ed.S, MS
Dave is the Craft Safety & Health Representative and has almost 34 years’ experience in maintenance and safety at the Idaho National Laboratory. Having witnessed disabling musculoskeletal injuries in his family and among his fellow workers, David conceived the idea of the Personal Blueprint. A non-traditional student, David holds advanced degrees in Safety & Health and in Adult & Organizational Learning from the University of Idaho, which he accomplished through 27-years of night school while maintaining his craft as a pipefitter.
Brent Jussel
Brent Jussel is Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Region IV Development Association. Located on the campus of the College of Southern Idaho, Region IV Development is a non-profit, statewide underwriter and packager for loan programs offered by the organizations such as the US Small Business Administration, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Economic Development. Brent is a graduate of Idaho State University with degrees in both Corporate Finance and Organizational Management and attended the Robert Morris Associates Uniform Credit Analysis School in Leesburg, Virginia. Brent has spent approximately 25 years in the commercial lending industry and was selected as the State of Idaho Financial Services Advocate of the Year in both 1992 and 1997.
Bryan Matsuoka
Bryan Matsuoka has been with the Idaho Small Business Development Center since 1996 and Regional Director since 2006. Bryan's educational credentials include a B.A. degree in Education from Boise State University and an M.E. from the University of Idaho. Prior to joining the Small Business Development Center, Bryan worked in public education, and then worked his way up as a sales representative to become the general manager of a software development firm for Hewlett Packard Company. Business experience includes activities as a marketing director, owner, Board of Directors, Secretary/Treasurer of an Idaho Corporation, LLC formation. Bryan also is the Manager of the College of Southern Idaho Small Business Incubator serving the greater Magic Valley Area. He is Chairman of Twin Falls School District Board of Trustees, Regional Director of Idaho Council on Economic Education - Region IV, Chairman Historic Old Towne Economic Development, Chairman of the United States Judo Federation's National Teacher's Institute, and Director of the College of Southern Idaho Judo Curriculum.
Dennis Tilley
Dennis is a Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Tilley & Lincoln located in Twin Falls, Idaho. He holds a bachelors degree from the University of Idaho in Agricultural economics and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Boise State University.
He spent the first ten years of his career managing a farm and cattle operation in southern Idaho. He changed his career path in 1991 when he started working as a certified public accountant. For the last ten years he has owned and operated his own accounting firm.
The firm of Tilley & Lincoln specializes in helping small business owners thrive and succeed. Dennis takes a proactive approach in helping his clients make their businesses more profitable.
Dennis currently serves on a mentoring committee for small businesses sponsored by the Idaho Small Business Development Center at CSI. Dennis is also a trainer for the Idaho Small Business Development Center. He provides QuickBooks training and is a presenter for the NxLevel Business planning course.
Don Hansen
During a 35 year career in Business, Engineering and Manufacturing Management, Don Hansen has established an excellent record as a proven leader and team builder. His talents and motivational skills successfully achieve cooperative efforts. He is a creative and resourceful problem solver, with an outstanding record in LEAN manufacturing.
Skilled - A former NIST/MEP specialist, Don continues to apply his extensive knowledge through Lean Solutions Consulting, to assist businesses toward increased effectiveness, cost reduction, safety, plant layout/design, productivity, budgeting, quality, and methods improvements.
Educated - Don earned a Master of Science in Mathematical Methods in Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York and received a BA in Mathematics from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
Current affiliations and credits include: Senior member Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) Senior member Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), Six Sigma Black Belt trained, NIST/MEP Manufacturing Specialist-of-the-Year finalist, 2006 and 2007 Eureka Winning Ways Growth Coach
Doug Lincoln
Doug Lincoln is a CPA and member of Tilley & Lincoln Pllc in Twin Falls, Idaho. After graduating with an Agricultural Economics degree from the University of Idaho with additional accounting courses at Idaho State, Doug returned to the family farm. Joining a payroll management company, Doug was promoted to CFO as to company expanded to nine western states. At the sale of the company, Doug started his public accounting career specializing in small business accounting, tax compliance and tax representation.
Jane Freund
Jane Freund is an author and publisher based in Boise, Idaho. In addition, she taught Communication for ten years at Boise State University. Also, Freund owns and operates Freundship Press LLC which is dedicated to positively influencing lives through friendship, communication and education. She has written six print and electronic books and her latest work, Writing Until I Get it Right -- A Realist's Guide to Writing Professionally, will be released in February 2011.
Monty Arrossa
Monty is the Human Resources Director for the College of Southern Idaho where he provides professional and quality services in the areas of employee relations; management consultation; policy development, dissemination, interpretation, and compliance; classification and compensation; communication; employee data; benefit information; recruitment and employment; job description development; orientation; performance appraisal information and assistance; training and professional development opportunities; and wellness information. He also facilitates and coordinates supervisory and professional/classified employee training. He has over seven years in the Human Resource profession in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining the College of Southern Idaho Monty worked for the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor. There he worked in Job Service offices in Twin Falls and Pocatello. With the Department he was responsible for hiring, training and evaluating professional employees. In addition to the management and supervisory skills he has developed over his career, Monty is an avid horseman and enjoys spending his extra time racing chariot horses. He has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters Degree in Human Resource Training and Development from Idaho State University.
West Gates
In 1991, my wife & I started the first 100% digital Design Studio in Idaho and one of the first in the US, JFm Graphic Design. We discovered our client niche market was the International Garment, Apparel & Textile industry. Since 1991, I have been a freelance design/training/marketing/presentation/product development consultant, project manager and troubleshooter. I get called in to solve problems, build a project team, to just help US businesses break into new markets or foreign companies break into US markets. My client list includes Disney, Pixar, Lucas Films, USMC, the NFL, MLB, Purina, The National Park Service, Kennedy Space Center, the Smithsonian, Mattel, Target, Costco, Wal•Mart and many, many other Idaho and national companies. I am an Adobe Beta tester. I provide advanced Adobe training and in the last few years I have provided advanced training to the Creative Division of Hallmark Cards, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat and creating secure Digital Presentations and Portfolios. I learned Lean practices & principles from Samsung. I am a member of both the Lean Enterprise Institute and the W. Edwards Deming Institute. I have a very rich background in marketing, product development, promotions and business with a broad range of successful experiences.
Debbie Drown, Consumer Credit Management Services
Debbie is a native of Twin Falls and after attending the College of Southern Idaho she worked at a local certified public accounting office as a bookkeeper and worked as an administrative secretary for a local engineering firm. She has volunteered in a variety of community projects, including the CASA program as a court appointed special advocate, the foster parent program, many hours at public and private schools and also taught a drug and alcohol prevention program at the local juvenile detention center with her husband. Debbie is a certified Credit Counselor and the Education Director at Consumer Credit Management Services. She has developed a financial literacy presentation that she currently teaches at local schools and the College of Southern Idaho. She weekly teaches financial awareness at the Easter Seals - Goodwill Working Solutions in Twin Falls and Burley to adults seeking to re-enter the workforce. In addition to counseling individual clients on the repayment of debt and/or improvement of credit, Debbie has worked directly with the local National Guard Armory and Probation Officers to help individuals in need of credit counseling.