Board Members
D. Smith
Mr. D Smith has over 44 years of experience in the field of aviation and occupational safety ... more
Mr. D Smith has over 44 years of experience in the field of aviation and occupational safety. He has assisted over 1500 organizations implement safety and human factor programs, including: U.S. and international governments, and private industry. He is considered a leading expert, forward thinker, and noteworthy speaker in the field of Safety Management and related topics. He served 29 year in the US Army, is a rated helicopter pilot awarded the Army designation of Master Army Aviator. He held several key leadership positions, including: Director of Aviation Safety Officer Training and Lead Analysist for Human Factor Accident Investigations at The US Army Safety Center, Senior Leader and Division Manager for the US Department of Transportation’s, Transportation Safety Institute Aviation Safety Training Division, Senior Air Safety Investigator for the US Department of Transportation, and Director of Safety for a US Lead Operation Iraqi Freedom Task Force consisting of 14-Countries. He is the President and CEO of the International Society of Safety Professional, a Certified International Safety Manager - CISM®, Certified Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) Professional, Author of “Quantum Safety Metrics” a methodology used by hundreds of organizations to quantify their safety program status, and contributing author to the book “Implementing Safety Management Systems in Aviation” (Second Edition, Ashgate Publishing). He holds an MBA with emphasis on Occupational Safety and Health.
Dr. Terry Taylor
Dr. Terry Taylor is a Board Member, Senior-Vice President and a founding member of the ... more
Dr. Terry Taylor is a Board Member, Senior-Vice President and a founding member of the International Society of Safety Professionals (ISSP). Terry has over 40 years of experience in the field of aviation, including over 25 years in safety management. Following his retirement from the Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation System Standards Office of Safety and Quality Assurance, he formed Chameleon, Inc., a training, safety management and organizational development consulting company. Since 2003, he has been an Associate Instructor at the USDOT Transportation Safety Institute Aviation Division, developing and instructing safety courses. He has worked as a Contractor Program Manager and Safety Management Specialist for the US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, where he assisted in the implementation of an agency-wide SMS. Dr. Taylor was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle University’s worldwide campus for over 20 years, including six years as Director of Academics for ERAU’s Oklahoma City Campus. He served as the University’s Lead Faculty and online course developer for Crew Resource Management and Cognitive Psychology courses. Terry was a Board Member for the State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State Accrediting Agency for 11 years, and served as Chairman of that Board for 3 years. Terry holds a doctorate in applied studies in aviation from Oklahoma State University, and a masters and bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma. Included in his many certifications are Certified International Safety Manager®, (CISM), USDOT Advanced Aviation Safety Professional, Interagency Civil Aviation Policy (ICAP) Safety Officer, Crew Resource Management Instructor, Facilitator, Change Management Agent, and ISO Lead Auditor.
Kevin Zemetis
Kevin Zemetis is a Senior Vice President of the International Society of Safety Professionals... more
Kevin Zemetis is a Senior Vice President of the International Society of Safety Professionals, change leader and advisor with broad and in deep operational and executive experience. Kevin drives safety and change leadership development through training programs and consultation. He has worked over the past five decades with many for profit, not-for-profit, as well as governmental organizations including the United Nations Development Program and NATO, in Africa (Ethiopia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe), Southwest Asia (Saudi Arabia, and UAE), Europe (Spain and Portugal) and the Americas (North and South including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Colombia, and others). Kevin is a master facilitator with over 40 years of experience in adult education and training and has trained thousands of leaders in hundreds of organizations. His training experience began with his designation as an instructor pilot with the U.S. Army in 1985 and continued in various training roles including as a training program manager and instructor with the U.S. Army Safety Center, Director of Safety for Omni Air Transport, a Safety program manager and instructor with the Department of Transportation as well as in his role as Vice President of International Operations with the Balanced Scorecard Institute, and CEO of the Strategic Results Center. Kevin served as an Executive Change Advisor for the FAA from August of 2019 through his retirement from Civil Service in December of 2024. Over the past three decades, Kevin has been focused on leading senior leaders and managers through strategic safety change initiative selection and execution, by applying effective project and people-focused, change management principles, tools, and frameworks. Kevin is adept at forming and maintaining strategic partnerships with, and building coalitions among leaders at all levels, from Executive Suite-level officers, to program and project teams, and front-line workers. He is a graduate of PROSCI, Change Management Practitioner and Train-the-Trainer programs as well as the Conner Academy’s Advanced Trusted Advisors (ATA) training program for veteran change professionals. His certifications include the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) (2003-2024), one of the first 500 worldwide Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Certified Change Management Professionals (CCMP), and the International Society of Safety Professionals (ISSP) Certified International Safety Professional (CISM). Kevin holds a BS in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (1993), as well as an MS in Quality Systems Management from the Nation Graduate School of Quality Management (2003). Kevin communicates in both Spanish and Portuguese with high proficiency.
Board of Advisors
Don Wright
Mr. Don Wright serves as the Safety Director, United States Army, Europe (USAREUR) based in Wiesbaden, Germany. As director... more
Mr. Don Wright serves as the Safety Director, United States Army, Europe (USAREUR) based in Wiesbaden, Germany. As director of the USAREUR Safety and Occupational Health (S&OH) Program, Don acts as consultant to the senior military leadership on all tactical and base operations S&OH matters. He provides command leadership in and is delegated full responsibility for development, direction, management, implementation, promotion and evaluation of S&OH programs for USAREUR involving all assigned and attached personnel and dependents, facilities, and military and administrative vehicles and equipment. Prior to this position, Don was the Director of Training and Education, G-7, for the US Army Combat Readiness / Safety Center (USACRC). As the Director, he oversaw the 15-week Army Safety and Occupational Health Career Program -12 (CP-12) Intern training program, the 6-week Aviation Safety Officer Course (ASOC), the 6-week Ground Safety Officer Course (GSOC), and the Training Development / Distance Learning program. Don is a CP-12 and ASOC graduate, developed the initial online courses provided by the USACRC, and served as Program Manager for the inception of the internal Learning Management System (LMS). Don has also served as a Safety Director / Manager from company to the Department of the Army level. Don is a Master Army Aviator with over 11,000 hours of flight time. He served as a Safety Officer and Instructor pilot for over 28 years. In addition to various stateside positions, his assignments include tours in Germany, Bosnia, Hungary, Kuwait, and Iraq. Don has an extensive background as an EMS pilot and was the co-founder of the National EMS Pilots Association. His efforts led to the first written standards of operation in the EMS industry. Don holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Troy State University, a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Safety Management from Texas A&M, and is currently enrolled in an Educational Leadership Doctoral Program with Trident University. Don is also an associate professor for Trident University.
Dr. Bruce Corsino
Bruce Corsino is a Doctor of Psychology with graduate degrees from Florida Tech and Harvard University. For twenty years... more
Bruce Corsino is a Doctor of Psychology with graduate degrees from Florida Tech and Harvard University. For twenty years, Dr. Corsino was the medical ethicist at various hospitals, and adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology at Virginia Tech. In 2003, he was mobilized for a year in stateside support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, assigned as the Chief of Behavioral Medicine at an Army medical center. He is now a retired reserve full Colonel in the Army Medical Department. Full-time communications work is his second career. He began that as a speechwriter and Plain Language advisor to the Pentagon, and is now the Plain Language Program Manager for the Federal Aviation Administration. In that role, he trains professionals and creates plain language versions of complex documents, policies and law, and provides that service to agencies and governments worldwide. His work appears on television, public radio and in numerous publications such as Harvard Magazine, U.S. Medicine and the Washington Post. The January 2010 issue of Harvard Magazine features Dr. Corsino’s life and work.
Curt I. Lewis
Curt Lewis is currently President/Owner of Curt Lewis & Associates, LLC. The consulting firm specializes in: Aviation/Airline Safety, Accident ...more
Curt Lewis is currently President/Owner of Curt Lewis & Associates, LLC. The consulting firm specializes in: Aviation/Airline Safety, Accident Investigation and Reconstruction, Industrial Safety, Forensic Investigation, Product Safety, System Safety, Automotive Crash Worthiness, Railroad Crossing Collision Investigations and Reconstruction, & Airport and Aircraft Security. He served with American Airlines/AMR Corporation (AA) for seventeen years, as the Director System Safety and previously as the Corporate Manager of Flight Safety and Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) for American Airlines. Prior to American, he was a Lead System Safety Engineering Manager for LTV Aerospace Company, a Product Safety Manager for Texas Instruments Inc., a Flight Training Instructor for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, and served as Chief Corporate Pilot and Industrial Safety Director for various industrial corporations. Currently he is serving as an Assistant Professor with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide (Discipline Chair for Aviation Safety) instructing aviation, system, human factors, and industrial safety courses (Outstanding Faculty Award – 2003). He has in excess of thirty-five years of safety experience as a professional pilot, safety engineer/director, and air safety investigator. Mr. Lewis holds an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Certified Flight Instructor Certificate (Airplane Single, Multiengine & Instrument); with over 10,000 hours of flight experience. In addition, he has earned technical Bachelors degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Physics, a Masters degree in Aviation, System Safety & Human Factors, and completing a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Specialization: Safety Management), July 2013. He has earned the designation of Certified Safety Professional (CSP) from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and served as a Board Director. He was elected the BCSP Vice President for 2004 after serving as the Secretary-Treasurer (Managed $2.8 mil budget). Mr. Lewis is a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the discipline of safety engineering (Mass. # 40394), a Texas Professional Safety Source (TWCC # 1941), and an ISO-9001:2000 Certified Quality Auditor (PA). Mr. Lewis has published numerous safety articles, was a contributing editor to the AA pilot magazine - "Flight Deck;" managing editor of “AA Flight Safety” & “AA Occupational Safety” magazines and a frequent speaker at industry meetings and seminars, community service organizations, and corporations. He serves as a member of the Educational Advisory Councils for the Center for Aerospace Safety/Security Education (CASE) of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the School of Aeronautics of Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), and the Department of Aeronautical Technology of Arizona State University. He is the former Chairman of the Air Transport Association (ATA) Flight Safety Committee. He served as President of the Industry Advisor Council for the Texas A&M University (Commerce) Industrial Engineering Department. He has been listed in Who's Who in the Safety Profession, Who's Who in the Environment, Who's Who in the South & Southwest, Who's Who in Science & Technology, and Who's Who in America. Mr. Lewis is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), System Safety Society (SSS), and the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI). He served as the President of the Dallas-Fort Worth ISASI Chapter and the current United States Councilor & President to the U.S. ISASI society. He has been elected an ISASI "Fellow." Mr. Lewis is the 2012 Winner of the ISASI Jerome Lederer Award. He is also a Fellow (FRAeS) with the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Sonya Tietjen
Ms. Sonya Tietjen is currently employed by the Bristow Group, Houston, TX, working in Quality and Safety. Previously, Sonya was... more
Ms. Sonya Tietjen is currently employed by the Bristow Group, Houston, TX, working in Quality and Safety. Previously, Sonya was the Principal of Safety Management Systems in Gael Limited. She provided expertise for Gael clients and colleagues in Safety Management Systems (SMS), aviation, SMS tools, consulting and training. After working as a project and administrative manager, Sonya began her aviation career in 2002 with CHC Helicopters as Project Manager in their Vancouver office. Her work included: research, design, development and implementation of the Safety Quality Integrated Database (SQID) and implementation of Flight Data Monitoring in CHC’s Global Operations. From 2009-2012 Sonya worked as a consultant, working with clients from large airlines and small helicopter companies to oil and gas companies. Her role has been to design and implement an SMS or its components for the enhancement of operations. Sonya has presented at safety conferences around the world on topics from project management, Safety Management Systems, and Flight Data Monitoring. She is a founding member of the Global Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring Steering Group.
Ms. Kris Palcho
Employed with the Cleveland FAA Flight Standards District Office since 1998, Kris Palcho is currently a Front Line Manager... more
Employed with the Cleveland FAA Flight Standards District Office since 1998, Kris Palcho is currently a Front Line Manager/Supervisor leading the Operations Unit in north east Ohio. As an Aviation Safety Inspector Kris has over 15 years’ experience in areas including airman certification, accident investigation and aviation education. As former Safety Program Manager with the FAA she has managed a program for both the Cleveland district and the state of Ohio where her volunteer workforce of safety advocates numbered near 100. Since the 1980's Kris has been a passionate advocate for general aviation and airmen. She promotes safety as guest speaker for key events, is a dedicated flight instructor, a mentor for new aviators, and an active airman. Kris has worked extensively at both the local and national level to spread the aviation safety message to certificated airmen and the general public alike. She has made significant contributions to, and been recognized by, the Ohio Air National Guard, Transportation Safety Institute (TSI), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), The East Central Ohio Pilot’s Association (ECOPA) and the FAA Air Traffic Control services. Kris holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with over 4000 hours of flight time. As an active airman, stays current in both single and multi-engine aircraft. Kris is a 1990 graduate of Kent State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in General Studies with an emphasis in English and a minor in Flight Technology. Currently, she is working on an advanced degree in Public Administration.
Daniel McCune
Daniel M. McCune is currently the Associate Vice President for Safety for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. McCune retired from... more
Daniel M. McCune is currently the Associate Vice President for Safety for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. McCune retired from the United States Army after serving 27 years. He has flown over 6500 accident free hours in a multitude of aircraft including the King Air, Queen Air, C-182, and UH-1 Helicopter. His last flying position in the Army was as a Citation Jet Captain at Dobbins Air Force Base. His passion is in preventing accidents, and he has developed many tools to enhance the Safety Culture of every organization he has been a part of. In 2011, he authored a chapter titled “Safety Culture In Your Safety Management System” in the book “Implementing Safety Management Systems In Aviation.” Mr. McCune has served as the Safety Director or Senior System Safety Engineer for many aviation organizations and has served in leadership roles on several Safety advisory committees.
He actively participates in numerous national and international industry associations, including the System Safety Society, International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, World Safety Organization, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the University Aviation Association. Mr. McCune is a graduate of the U.S. Army Safety Officer Course, the U.S. Army Accident Investigation course, and the Transportation Safety Institute's Aircraft Accident Investigation School.
He actively participates in numerous national and international industry associations, including the System Safety Society, International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, World Safety Organization, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the University Aviation Association. Mr. McCune is a graduate of the U.S. Army Safety Officer Course, the U.S. Army Accident Investigation course, and the Transportation Safety Institute's Aircraft Accident Investigation School.
Dr. Gary Helmer
Dr. Gary Wayne Helmer, a safety professional, writer, researcher, and teacher, currently serves as the Chief, Safety Division... more
Dr. Gary Wayne Helmer, a safety professional, writer, researcher, and teacher, currently serves as the Chief, Safety Division, for the National Transportation Safety Board. He is an Assistant Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, teaching numerous courses in aviation, safety, and flight simulation. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organizational Behavior/Development, masters' degrees in Business Administration ‐ Aviation, Industrial Technology Engineering ‐ Safety Management, and Aviation and Aerospace Safety Systems and Aviation and Aerospace Management. His professional credentials include: Aviation Safety Program Manager, Certified Hazard Control Manager (Master), Certified Professional Environmental Auditor, Certified Process Safety Auditor, and Certified Safety and Health Official. Dr. Helmer is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers (Specialties: Management and Academics), a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (Technical Groups: Aerospace Systems, Human Performance Modeling, and Safety), a member of the National Association of Scholars, and a member of the Ethics Committee for the Board of Environmental, Health & Safety Auditor Certifications. Dr. Helmer served as a helicopter flight standardization instructor pilot in the United States Army, retiring in 1994 after over 23 years. He resides with his wife and two children in Northern Virginia.
Herr Joerg Lolait
Herr Joerg Loliat is the Head of the Aviation Safety Section for the European Air Transport Command (EATC). Born July 7th 1968... more
Herr Joerg Loliat is the Head of the Aviation Safety Section for the European Air Transport Command (EATC). Born July 7th 1968 he joined the German Air Force in 1993. In 1995 he graduated from the Lufthansa Flight Training School and was designated a Transport Pilot, flying the C-160. Prior to being selected for his current position he served as the German Air Force Wing Safety Officer from 2006 to 2012. Herr Lolait is a Founding Member of the International Society of Safety Professionals, ISSP.
Maria E. Ortiz-Rios
Ms. Maria Ortiz-Rios is currently serving as the Director of Outreach for Latin America for the ISSP. She is a SH&E professional... more
Ms. Maria Ortiz-Rios is currently serving as the Director of Outreach for Latin America for the ISSP. She is a SH&E professional with 20 years of experience in corporate safety, environmental and risk management. Graduated from West Virginia University with a MS in Industrial Hygiene Engineering and Occupational Safety. Originally from Puerto Rico. Experience in implementing and managing Global EHS programs in chemical/pharmaceutical/biotechnology manufacturing, chemical sales/services, oil refining and EHS Consulting. Very proud to work in Ecolab Company for the past 10 years of my career.
Executive leader with a Master of Science, Industrial Hygiene Engineering/Occupational Safety and a Bachelor of Science in Biology-Biomedical Sciences. Expert in all facets of Health and Safety Administration, Operational Efficiency, Industrial and Environmental Safety, Complex Project Management, Industrial Hygiene, Risk Management and Continuous Process Improvement within global enterprises. Visionary, leader and dynamic self-starter highly astute at creating and implementing corporate EH&S procedures, programs, processes and systems that minimize risk, enhance productivity and boost efficiency. Consummate communicator and leader of interdisciplinary teams, strongly adept at ensuring the highest levels of training and development through the implementation of rigorous training programs.
Executive leader with a Master of Science, Industrial Hygiene Engineering/Occupational Safety and a Bachelor of Science in Biology-Biomedical Sciences. Expert in all facets of Health and Safety Administration, Operational Efficiency, Industrial and Environmental Safety, Complex Project Management, Industrial Hygiene, Risk Management and Continuous Process Improvement within global enterprises. Visionary, leader and dynamic self-starter highly astute at creating and implementing corporate EH&S procedures, programs, processes and systems that minimize risk, enhance productivity and boost efficiency. Consummate communicator and leader of interdisciplinary teams, strongly adept at ensuring the highest levels of training and development through the implementation of rigorous training programs.
Chris Bryant
Chris Bryant is currently the CEO at Helion Intelligent Safety Solutions. Most recently, Helion has partnered with Dynamic... more
Chris Bryant is currently the CEO at Helion Intelligent Safety Solutions. Most recently, Helion has partnered with Dynamic Planning and Response (DP&R) to offer crucial training modules and culture change solutions to the Department of Defense. We have developed a very unique set of solutions for the DoD's biggest cultural challenges. Previously, Chris was the Manager of Fleet Safety for American Eurocopter in Grand Prairie, TX. His duties there ranged from assisting clients with Safety Management Systems, to conducting continued airworthiness boards, researching new aviation safety techniques and applications and representing the company as a member on numerous professional safety committees. Chris served 21 years in the U.S. Army. He was an officer, instructor pilot, accident investigator and U.S. Army Safety Officer Course Deputy Chief. During his military career he served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a safety professional. Chris is proactive in his approach to safety and advocates for out of-the-box thinking, training and performing in order to accomplish the task and return everyone home safely. His greatest accomplishments come in the form of finding smart and practical solutions to complicated safety issues.
Dan Cerkan
Dan Cerkan is Vice President of BOLO3 Safety and Survival Consulting, headquartered in Escondido, California... more
Dan Cerkan is Vice President of BOLO3 Safety and Survival Consulting, headquartered in Escondido, California. He has over 16 years of experience in the safety field. Dan is currently working on his Masters of Aeronautical Science with a dual emphasis on Aviation Safety Systems and Human Factors. Dan is an accredited IS-BAO Auditor fixed/rotary wing aircraft, operations and maintenance. Dan’s a multifaceted executive with strong experience in general management, operations, program/project leadership, and safety and risk mitigation. He leverages leadership, communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills to drive change. Dan retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2011 where he was a designated Naval Aviator. He held numerous positions in operations, administration, aircraft maintenance and safety during his Marine Corps career. Dan’s safety career started with his graduation from the School of Aviation Safety at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, where he was designated an Aviation Safety Officer. Dan used his safety knowledge to expertly run a squadron safety division as a Director of Safety and Standardization, and eventually acted as an Aviation Safety Officer for Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment where he was responsible for the safety of fixed wing and helicopter operations during shipboard and land based operations in austere environments. Dan moved on to numerous other assignments, the most notable being Assignment to the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, HMX-1, where he worked as an Aviation Standardization Officer, Operations Officer, and Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He was one of eight designated Functional Check Pilots for Presidential Aircraft, and designated the Standardization Officer for Functional Check pilot training and operations. Director of Safety and Standardization, Third Marine Aircraft Wing. Dan was responsible for aviation and ground safety of over 15,000 Marines, Sailors and civilians, 500 aircraft and all support equipment, located across 47 global locations. Developed ground-breaking motorcycle safety program that lead to a 67% accident reduction. During his tenure aviation Class-A mishaps were reduced by 37%. Aviation Safety Officer, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, Safety Division - He was assigned as the fixed wing and rotary wing Aviation Safety Officer for the Marine Corps. Dan was responsible for evaluating incidents, identifying trends and devising avoidance and remediation strategies as well as aviation safety program development and monitoring. Dan worked closely with other Department of Defense Safety organizations, governmental agencies, and civilian aviation safety agencies to ensure the Marine Corps Aviation Safety programs were top notch. During his time with Safety Division the Marine Corps had record low aviation mishap rates each year. Dan is an experienced aviator with over 3600 hours of fixed and rotary wing experience. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (Rotorcraft) certificate, with ratings in the CH-46E/BV-101, VH-3D/SK-61, and VH-60N.