Texas’ James “Skipper” Kendrick Recieves American Society of Safety Engineers’ Highest Honor
San Antonio, TX (June 30, 2009) — Recognizing his outstanding service to the safety profession and workplace safety, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) today named ASSE Past-President James “Skipper” Kendrick, CSP, of Hurst, TX, as Society Fellow. Kendrick received the award this morning during ASSE’s annual Professional Development Conference (PDC) and Exposition – Safety 2009, in San Antonio, TX.
The Society Fellow is the highest honor granted by ASSE, recognizing professional members who have displayed life-long excellence in safety and service. Nominated by their peers, region or chapter, candidates for the Society Fellow honor are selected based upon their work, involvement in ASSE and long-term contributions in advancing the safety profession.
Currently, Kendrick serves as global director, EHS Training at Textron, Inc. Previously, Kendrick served as manager, industrial safety and hygiene at Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company. Prior to joining Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., he held safety positions at the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Safety Management, Inc. and Port Allen Marine Service, Inc. Overall, Kendrick has more than 30 years of experience in safety, health and the environmental.
“Skipper has represented the safety, health and environmental profession with honor and dignity,” said Beyond Compliance President Frouzan A. Afsahi, CSP, REM, who nominated Kendrick for the Society Fellow honor. “His willingness to reach across all lines and speak to or with any entity that is interested in accident prevention has earned him the highest respect of his fellow safety professional and others.”
Including serving as ASSE President from 2003- 2004, Kendrick has been an active professional member of ASSE for nearly 30 years. For example, he participated in various ASSE committees such as the finance, government affairs, PDC planning, educational standards, and student activities committees. He is a member of both the ASSE Fort Worth Chapter and the ASSE Southwest Chapter. He served in various positions at the Fort Worth Chapter including chapter president. He is also a member of the ASSE Consultants, Management, Transportation and Risk Management/Insurance Practice Specialties. In addition to being named Society Fellow this year, he received the Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) award in 2000, the ASSE North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week Champion Award in 2005 and 2006, and was named one of the 50 most influential safety leaders by Occupational Hazards Magazine in September 2008.
Kendrick also participated in the implementation and organization of the International Network of Safety & Health Practitioner Organizations (INSHPO) and is a nationally recognized speaker and seminar leader on the topics of safety management, training and communication.
“Skipper’s easy-going character and personality are such that he has reached everyone that has attended one of his classes, seminars, lectures and numerous other safety-related conferences,” added Afsahi. “He has a special gift to inspire others, to serve others.”
Richard R. Bourlon, P.E., CSP, ALCM, team leader, health and safety for the Boy Scouts of America, who also nominated Kendrick, said, “Whether or not it can be quantified, Mr. Kendrick’s character and personality are such that at any type of safety related function, someone will have been touched by one of his presentations or classes. He draws people to him and is a person that others want to be around. This trait or character positively impacts all of us in the safety profession.”
Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org.