Faculty
Seth Bendorf, CHST
Education and Labor Cabinet
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
elc.ky.gov
Mr. Bendorf is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, with a degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, with an emphasis in Industrial Safety and Risk Management. He joined the then Labor Cabinet in 2002 and has worked in a number of positions in the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance, serving since May 2020 as the Director of Compliance. He is a certified Construction Safety and Health Technician.
Craig Bengel, MS. CSP, CHST, ASHM
Dugan & Meyers
11110 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
dugen-meyers.com
Mr. Bengel is a seasoned professional dedicated to enhancing safety processes and safety culture. Craig’s relentless commitment to minimizing risks and incidents has made him a driving force in creating environments that prioritize the well-being of all workers. With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach, he has elevated safety standards, fostering a culture of excellence in every workplace. Beyond his professional endeavors, Craig is dedicated to work life balance and enjoys spending as much time with his wife and four (4) daughters.
Brian Black
Education and Labor Cabinet
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
elc.ky.gov
Mr. Black is the Voluntary Protection Partnership (VPP) Administrator for the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet department of workplace Standards. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Brian joined the Education and Labor Cabinet in 2001 as an Industrial Hygiene Compliance Officer. He also served as an Industrial Hygiene Specialist, OSH Standards Specialist, and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program Administrator. Brian has worked to identify and recognize industry leaders in occupational safety and health as VPP Star and Mentor sites. He has spoken at regional and national VPP conferences multiple times to educate employers and employees on best practices in their safety and health management systems.
Mac Cann, MPH
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
3032 Alvey Park Drive West
Owensboro, KY 42303
eec.ky.gov
Mr. Cann has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry along with a Master of Public Health from Western Kentucky University. Mac currently works as the Science and Safety Officer for the Kentucky Emergency Response Branch of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. He has twenty-three (23) years' experience with the Kentucky Division for Air Quality as a supervisor and two (2) years with the Kentucky State Police as a Forensic Chemist. Additionally, Mac has been a responder with the Kentucky Emergency Response Team for eighteen (18) years. Also, he is a part time professor at Western Kentucky University working with the Green River Fire Association on various cancer research projects over the years.
Keith Compton, EdD, CSP, CIT, EMT
Radial, Inc.
7601 Trade Port Drive
Louisville, KY 40258
www.radial.com
Mr. Compton is a thirty (30) year safety professional with more than twenty-eight (28) years' experience in the warehousing and distribution sector. He is a Certified Safety Professional and a Certified Instructional Trainer in safety. Keith is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), a Level I and II EMT Instructor, and a Kentucky State EMT evaluation for the Kentucky Board of EMS. He has a Doctor of Education degree from Liberty University. Keith is currently the Director of Global Environmental Health and Safety at Radial, Inc. He has served in this capacity for eleven (11) years. Prior to this, Keith was the regional safety manager for Parker Hannifin Corporation in Louisville. He also spent eight (8) years in the U.S. Air Force as an emergency actions controller.
Colby Davis, CSP, PE
Ervin Cable
68 Wallace Avenue
Sturgis, KY 42459
ervincable.com
Mr. Davis is a graduate of Murray State University with a degree in Environmental Engineering Safety Emphasis. He is currently serving his 19th year with the Kentucky National Guard as a Captain. His awards include Overseas Combat Ribbon - Meritorious Service Medal, three (3) Army Commendation Medals, four (4) Army Achievement Medals, Army Parachutist Badge as well as the Defleury Medal for engineering. He is an active board member of the National Guard Association of Kentucky. Mr. Davis currently serves as the Director of Safety and Claims at Ervin Cable Construction, LLC (ECC) based out of Sturgis, Kentucky, with over seventy-five (75) offices in twenty-three (23) states. He is responsible for the daily safety of over 2,000+ employees and 3,000 subcontractors.
David Durkee, PhD
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Boulevard 11046
Bowling Green, KY 42104
Dr. Durkee is a professor in the Meteorology Program and Vice Chair to the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences at Western Kentucky University (WKU). Josh also serves as program coordinator to the Emergency Management Disaster Science online certificate programs, Director of the campus weather service, White Squirrel Weather, Director of the Disaster Science Operations Center, and is appointed as the University Meteorologist for WKU. Outside of WKU, he is founder and partner of Doppler Emergency Operations Consultants, a decision-support services company that specializes in event, facility, and project-based crisis planning, monitoring, and prediction assistance to help improve the health and safety of participants, along with the vitality and reputation of Operations.
Scott Francis
Westex, Inc.
235 Thatcher Avenue
River Forest, IL 60305
westex.com
Mr. Francis graduated from Augustana College and the University of Iowa with a M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry. Scott has been involved in the safety industry since 1991 and has extensive experience with protective apparel fabrics, PPE and knowledge of thermal hazard related NFPA standards and OSHA regulations. He frequently addresses safety associations and companies regarding electric arc flash, flash fire and combustible dust hazards, body burn injury, PPE best practices and related topics. On a personal note, Scott loves football and sometimes loves golf! He lives with his wife in the Chicago area.
Mark French, PhD, CSP, ASP, SPHR, SSBB
Dalkia Solutions
616 Knob Creek Road
Fulton, KY 42041
dalkiasolutions.com
Dr. French is focused on creating a workplace that is both physically and psychologically safe. As CHRO of Dalkia US, Mark focuses on creating leadership training and empowerment programs, safety systems, and total wellness initiatives. As the owner of TDSA Consulting, he spends time helping organizations learn about their leaders’ unique strengths to create a culture of total safety. He also is a blogger and podcaster about safety leadership. Mark lives on a small farm in rural west Kentucky with his wife, two (2) children, three (3) cats, dog, and an assortment of woodland creatures. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, Xbox, and being the family dungeon master.
Bayless Kilgore, CIH, CSP
EnSafe, Inc.
1148 College Street
Bowling Green, KY 42103
ensafe.com
Mr. Kilgore has over twenty-eight (28) years of occupational health and safety consulting experience assisting a wide variety of industrial and manufacturing clients in Kentucky and across the country. Bayless is a dual certified CIH / CSP and routinely conducts process safety management and risk management program audits and process hazard analysis for industrial clients, in additional to managing numerous corporate industrial hygiene programs. Founded in 1980, EnSafe is a national environmental, health and safety consulting firm with sixteen (16) offices in the United States serving both domestic and international clients.
Hailey Kincer, Esq.
Education and Labor Cabinet
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Haley graduated from Chase College of Law and is an accomplished attorney specializing in occupational safety and health. She joined the Education and Labor Cabinet in 2019. Haley is also an active leader in her field, serving as the Secretary of the State OSHA Lawyers Organization. In addition to her professional achievements, Haley recently welcomed a new baby boy into her family.
Keith McBride
Louisville Gas and Electric KY Utilities
10300 Ballardsville Road
Louisville, KY 40241
lge-ku.com
Keith provides Public Safety course on electrical issues, powerline safety, and other related topics. HE is also the lead fire, safety, and security investigator for LG&E KU.
Ryan Neu, MS, CSP
Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America
1001 Cherry Blossom Way
Georgetown, KY 40324
Mr. Neu is a Senior Safety Analyst at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) in Georgetown. TMMK is the largest automobile manufacturer in the world, producing the Lexus ES300h, RAV4 Hybrid, and Camry Hybrid. Ryan's responsibilities at TMMK include Industrial Hygiene and Safety Culture amongst 10,000 employees and contractors. Prior to his work at TMMK, he spent nine (9) years in West Virginia at Toyota's Powertrain & Drivetrain facility with various responsibilities including safety culture. Ryan also worked for two-and-a-half (2½) years at Toyota Motor Manufacturing & Engineering North America managing Toyota's regional Industrial Hygiene program. During his time at various facilities, he continually worked with production groups and executive teams to implement culture programs in the various stages of safety culture development.
David Oliver, PhD, CSP, CEM
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Boulevard 11046
Bowling Green, KY 42104
Mr. Oliver is Director of Environmental Health and Safety and the Emergency Manager at Western Kentucky University (WKU). David is also a graduate faculty member in the WKU Ogden College of Science and Technology, and a Director in the Disaster Science Operations Center. Prior to joining WKU, he spent more than thirty (30) years with General Motors Corporation. David held a variety of positions in Security, Fire Protection, Labor Relations, and Safety. He has a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety / Loss Prevention and a master’s degree in Security, Safety, and Emergency Management both from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from WKU. David is also a Certified Safety Professional and Certified Emergency Manager. He is a founder and partner of Doppler Emergency Operations Consultants, a decision-support services company that specializes in event, facility, project-based crisis planning, and response services.
Brad Oser, MA, EMT
Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS
108 Upton Lane
Louisville, KY 40223
Major Oser is a Battalion Chief with Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS in Louisville, Kentucky and has been in the fire service for thirty-eight (38) years. Brad commands the 2nd Battalion South and is also the Hazmat Team Commander. He has been an EMT since 1989 and served ten (10) years as the Chairman of the department's Safety Committee. Brad has a Bachelor's degree in Education, Leadership and Human Resources from the University of Louisville and a master’s degree in safety, Security and Emergency Services Management from Eastern Kentucky University.
Tim Preston
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
transportation.ky.gov
Mr. Preston started at the Transportation Cabinet 2005 in District 7 as a work zone construction safety inspector. Tim moved to the Secretary's Office of Safety in October 2022 where he currently works Districts 8, 10, 11, and 12. He graduated from Lexington Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in 2004. Tim is an OSHA-10 instructor for construction and general industry. He has been married for thirty-six (36) years with one (1) son who is in the Air Force stationed in Northern California.
Troy A. Rawlins, EdD
Eastern Kentucky University
OSHA Training Institute Education Center
521 Lancaster Avenue
Perkins 202
Richmond, KY 40475
eku.edu/osha
Dr. Rawlins is an associate professor and the OSHA Program Coordinator at Eastern Kentucky University after an extensive career of public service specializing in Human Resources and organizational safety management. Most recently, Troy served as an Assistant Human Resources Director of the Kentucky Department of Parks. Prior to his appointment to the position as Assistant Human Resources Director of the Kentucky Department of Parks, he was a Senior Industrial Hygienists with Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Program, Division of OSH Education and Training. During his tenure with the KY OSH Program, Troy was trained by the Department of Labor OSHA Training Institute and provided expert consultative health and safety training services to over 300 companies including many Fortune 500 companies. As an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator within the College of Justice and Safety, Department of Safety Security and Emergency Management, Troy is responsible for teaching, developing, and providing safety and health knowledge as well as practical hands-on experiences for the students in the OSH undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition to these responsibilities, he advises students in safety career choices and is a member of various safety local and national committees and boards to include National Safety Council, American Society of Safety Professionals, Blacks in Safety Engineering, and many others. Troy’s safety interest and research is in safety system management, training, and leadership in the reduction of incidents and accidents within the public sector. He currently is researching trends and compiling data in hopes of identifying the root causes of incidents and accidents toward prevention measures.
Jeff Raymer, CSM, CSMC
Barton Marlow Company
26500 American Drive
Southfield, MI 48034
Mr. Raymer has over forty (40) years’ experience with General Motors Global Workplace Safety and Barton Malow Company in construction, general industry, and change management. He also served as an International UAW Health and Safety Representative. In his current role as a Senior Safety Manager with Barton Malow Company, Jeff continues to oversee projects ranging from $8 million to over $5 billion in the United States and Mexico. He possesses technical skills and knowledge that designates him as a SME for fall protection, confined space, scaffolding, and many other courses. Jeff is an OSHA Authorized Trainer for Construction and General Industry. Along with his normal responsibilities, he is currently overseeing numerous battery cell facilities being constructed across the United States.
Erica Russell
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
transportation.ky.gov
Ms. Russell is a Kentucky native who resides in Frankfort with her husband and teenage daughter. Erica earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems from Morehead State University. Since 2006, she has worked for the Commonwealth in various technology roles across different Cabinets, including KSP, Finance, and now the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Erica began her career in desktop support, transitioned into a business relations manager role, and has received training in project management. In December 2022, she joined the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Maintenance, where she serves as an Intelligent Transportation System technical lead. Erica maintains and manages the public travel site GoKY, as well as the Roadway Weather Decision Support System utilizing Big Data.
Jarrod Stanley
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
transportation.ky.gov
Mr. Stanley has worked for the Transportation Cabinet for over twenty-four (24) years. A 2000 graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Civil Engineering, Jarrod previously worked in construction, maintenance, traffic operations and now research.
Beck Whipple, MSW
Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
cfhs.ky.gov
Mr. Whipple is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. Before this position, Beck had fifteen (15) years’ experience promoting the healing of youth who have experienced complex trauma. Beck is a trainer of the following nationally recognized programs and curricula: Risking Connection, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). He conducts training nationally and throughout Kentucky, focusing on providing education and advocacy regarding suicide prevention, trauma awareness, de-escalation, and gender identity. Beck enjoys time with his fur babies, Benson and Mamba, golfing, physical exercise, and dancing. He is originally from Kansas, where he spent most of his childhood on a farm with his family. Beck is extremely passionate about creating safe spaces for the LGBT community.
Scott C. Wilhoit
Education and Labor Cabinet
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
elc.ky.gov
Commissioner Wilhoit has been practicing workers’ compensation law for over three (3) decades across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Prior to joining state government, most of his practice was defending employers in workers’ compensation related matters both in Kentucky and Indiana. Scott represented Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses. Commissioner Wilhoit also represented injured workers across the state. In addition to workers’ compensation, Scott has extensive experience in state and federal civil litigation, administrative and employment law, as well as commercial/residential land transfers. Upon joining state government, Scott served as Special Assistant / Counsel to former Commissioner Robert Swisher. He also served as General Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Workers’ Claims. Scott is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, School of Journalism, (B.A., 1985) and the University of Kentucky, College of Law, (J.D., 1989). He is licensed to practice law in Kentucky and Indiana as well as the United States District Court of Kentucky, Eastern and Western Divisions. Scott is admitted to practice before the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Commissioner Wilhoit resides with his wife, Emily, and their three (3) dogs in Louisville.