Celebrating Safety Excellence: Honoring North Dakota’s Safety Champions

At the North Dakota Safety Council, safety isn’t just what we teach, it’s what we live. This year, at our Annual Awards Banquet, we were proud to hand out 73  awards to 33 companies and individuals who are not just checking boxes but setting benchmarks in safety excellence.

“These awards are more than plagues. They’re a testament to daily choices, courageous actions, and powerful partnerships. Here’s to the people and organizations making safety a lifestyle, not a line item.”

Advanced Safety Certificate (ASC) Awardees

This nationally recognized certification requires at least 12 days of in-depth training and up to 5 years to complete. These individuals are now equipped to lead safety initiatives with excellence:

  • Daisy Goebel, Doosan Bobcat
  • Julio Hernandez, Miller Insulation
  • Jeremy Skalicky, Strata
  • Jay Visger, Anderson Western
  • Erika Erb, ASN Constructors
  • Daniel Glasoe, Chord Energy
  • Peter Juarez
  • Mikal Ihry, Marvin

Outstanding Safety Instructors

These instructors reached hundreds—sometimes thousands—through impactful, high-quality safety education. They are essential to extending our reach across the state.

  • Kerri Gortmaker, BNSF & Operation Lifesaver
  • Steve Robb, Red River Valley & Western Railroad
  • Michael Severson
  • Tammy Wagner, FRA
  • Moira Beznoska
  • Ben Dahl, CPKC Railroad
  • Riley Mattson
  • Justin Maus, CPKC Railroad
  • Leann Wallin

Community Advancement Award

Recognizing companies that support safety far beyond the job site.

  • Gevo (formerly Red Trail Energy): 64 combined years of volunteer EMS/fire service
  • Saulsbury Industries: Innovative SiteCast platform connects families, celebrates employees, and shares critical safety info

Safe Driver Awards

These drivers have logged hundreds of thousands of incident-free miles. While none could attend in person, their dedication speaks volumes:

  • Taite Grossman, Trihydro – 286,041 miles
  • Patrick Merillat, Trihydro – 183,897 miles
  • Josh Whitesides, Winn Construction & B&W Rental – 125,080 miles

Safety Management Excellence

These companies trained nearly all supervisors and frontline staff in hazard recognition and implemented proactive plans, all while maintaining a stellar EMR:

  • Gevo – 100% of supervisors trained; 92% of staff; EMR of 0.68
  • Rice Lake West – Dakotas – 100% of both groups trained; EMR of 0.61

Workplace Safety Merit Award

Awarded to members with an EMR of 1.0 or below. These companies are setting the bar high:

  • Barr Engineering Co. – Bismarck
  • Bartlett & West
  • Butler Machinery Company
  • Comstock Construction
  • Gevo North Dakota
  • Industrial Builders Inc.
  • OK Tire Store
  • PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Rice Lake West – Dakotas
  • Saulsbury Industries
  • Trihydro Corporation
  • TrueNorth Steel
  • Winn Construction Inc.
  • Central Machining & Pump Repair Inc.
  • Freedom Terminal Services
  • KLJ Engineering LLC
  • Marvin Lumber & Cedar Company
  • Rachel Contracting
  • SOS, Inc.
  • Sun Electric Inc
  • Vector Construction Inc
  • Wescom

 Safety Improvement Award

Awarded to companies with a 50%+ decrease in OSHA incidence rates from 2023 to 2024.

  • Bartlett & West – Cut rate from 0.49 to 0.22
  • Doosan Bobcat – Dropped from 7 to 3 with major program changes
  • Industrial Builders – 83% reduction through personalized safety talks
  • Saulsbury Industries – Down from 0.09 to 0, thanks to SiteCast’s inclusive safety communication
  • Winn Construction – Reduced from 2.33 to 1.35 with expanded site presence and safety talks

Emerging Safety Champion Award

These professionals, each with fewer than five years in safety, are already making waves:

  • Marty Stemwedel, Rice Lake West – Proactive leadership on job sites and training
  • Brittany Thurston, City of Minot – Boosted citywide engagement and incident prevention

Workplace Safety Milestone Award

This award celebrates five consecutive years with an EMR of 1.0 or below. It’s more than a streak—it’s a legacy of care.

  • Butler Machinery Company
  • Comstock Construction
  • Gevo North Dakota
  • Northern Improvement Company
  • Saulsbury Industries
  • Winn Construction, Inc.
  • ICS Inc
  • KLJ Engineering, LLC
  • Marvin Lumber & Cedar Company
  • Northern Coatings
  • Vector Construction, Inc.

Lifesaver Award

These incredible individuals went above and beyond—responding with urgency, compassion, and lifesaving action:

  • Dr. Jon Jelinek – Advocated for a patient, revealing a brain bleed
  • Minn-Dak Harvest Team: Matt King, Daniel Nill, Chad Stollenwerk, Matt Granholt – AED and CPR saved a colleague
  • Deputy Taylen Mendoza – Performed CPR on a crash victim
  • Cody Printz & Aaron Biegler, Doosan Bobcat – Checked on a coworker, saving his life after a stroke
  • Troy Karlberg, Minnkota – CPR saved a wedding guest’s life

Thank You for Leading the Way

Whether you train thousands or save one life—your actions matter. Your commitment reminds us what’s possible when we choose safety, not just in the workplace, but in our communities, vehicles, and homes.

Let’s continue raising the standard. Together.