In a sea of more than 2,000 fellow safety and health practitioners, it can be difficult to attendees to connect with experts in the field who can answer questions and provide guidance not only about VPPPA’s Safety+, but about growing their EHS&S network. Combined with jam-packed schedules filled with keynote speakers, professional development sessions and networking events, attendees’ time to learn from the experienced Safety+ and VPPPA veterans can slip away.
That’s why we created VPPPA’s Ambassadors – long-serving VPPPA members, volunteer leaders and veterans of VPP from all backgrounds to help forge relationships. To help plant the seeds that will grow into your network of high-performing front-line and management professionals. All dedicated to the pursuit of continuous EHS&S improvement.
Meet VPPPA’s 2024 Safety+ Ambassadors
Alexis Aceves
AECOM Hunt
Los Angeles, CA
“I grew up going to the VPPPA conferences and sitting in workshops learning about the many different ways of VPP. I not only learned about VPP, but it became a part of me and created a second family for me. So many ambitious people who were not just in this program for themselves but there to invest in the safety of their coworkers, their employees, and their families. When it was finally my turn, I joined a company with the same morals as VPP. As a VPPPA member for 7 years, I started advocating for VPP and the association. I shared what I learned with my coworkers and subcontractors and was able to create a culture that represented VPP. I was able to make a change because of VPP and that’s why I support it.”
Gilbert Aceves
NRG
Lomita, CA
With over 22 years of safety & health experience, Gilbert Aceves is a Safety Specialist III at NRG EL Segundo, California. Gilbert has been involved in VPP for 22 years. He was on the Region IX VPPPA Board of Directors as Chair, Vice-Chair, and a Representative from a site with a Collective Bargaining agreement. Gilbert has assisted CAL/OSHA in numerous VPP Audits and pre-visits as an STM and a SGE for Federal OSHA. He has received a complete certificate in Environmental, Health and Safety from Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA. He is a certified trainer for counterbalance Forklift and OSHA 503/5039 He holds numerous Certificates in Safety and Health. Gilbert has an AA in Business Management.
Gilbert started his career in safety at Morton Salt in Long Beach California. While at Morton Salt, Gilbert was a Maintenance Welder / Electrician / VPP Coordinator and served as the Chief Shop Steward representing Teamsters Local 848. Gilbert was at Morton Salt for 17 years.
Dan “A to Z” Aleksandrowicz
Retired
Nederland, TX
“Although I am retired from Motiva Enterprises Port Arthur after 13 years as the Site Union VPP Representative, I am still passionate when it comes the VPP process in that it is the best safety practice I have been involved with in my 42 years in the oil refining business. Regional and National VPPPA Conferences are a well-run value to the VPP process in that the attendees have the opportunity to network with others in the same industry discussing best safety practices. The exhibitors in the exhibit hall display the latest in safety equipment and info. I still attend VPPPA conferences as a volunteer helping with registration or workshops, always talking to attendees about the benefits of being in VPP and VPPPA.”
Bob Hamilton
Retired
Bristol, PA
“I support VPP and VPPPA because VPP is the premier safety and health program and being a part of both the VPP (29 years) and the VPPPA (15 years) says that you are the best of the best. It shows your commitment to safety and health. I like the program because it places a lot of emphasis on employee involvement. I like the association because brings companies together, whether competitors or not, to share their best practices in safety and health, employee involvement and management commitment.”
Dan Hart
Sturgeon Electric Co.
Thornton, CO
“I’ve been a part of VPP and VPPPA for 16 years. VPP means that our company upholds the highest safety standards and cares about protecting our people. Safety is put above production. VPPPA provides a great opportunity in learning about different and new products. It is also a good way to network with other VPP companies to learn and adapt from them.
Kelli Heflin
Onward Energy
Denver, CO
“The VPP promotes safety excellence and I think this is an area that we all need to strive for – world class. The VPPPA provides that mentoring support, and the education required to pursue VPP or maintain it. VPPPA conferences have always been a great source of information and support in the 22 years I’ve been involved in both VPP and VPPPA. They are a fantastic networking opportunity to work with others, not only in your industry, but in other industries too. It gives you the chance to get to know your regional VPP managers and other OSHA support people and understand that working together makes you better.”
Kelli Heflin, native Coloradan, has been involved with VPP since 2003. She currently works for Onward Energy, which has 4 sites currently recognized as VPP Star Sites, with an additional 4 pursuing the designation. In her spare time, Kelli is a ballroom dancer, competing in both American Smooth and Rhythm styles, and has often led LaBlast classes at the national VPPPA conference. She has 2 dogs, Kevin and Romy and is proud to call herself a cancer survivor.
Alex Miller
Vistra Corp.
Reading, PA
Alex Miller is a Sr. Regional Safety Manager & VPP Coordinator with Vistra Corp., a Texas-based Fortune 300 integrated retail, electricity and power generation company. Alex holds a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential, a M.S. in Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University and a B.S. in Marine Engineering Operations from Maine Maritime Academy. His responsibilities include overseeing Vistra’s VPP program including their 14 VPP Star Facilities. He is an active SGE, public speaker, inclusion advocate and co-founder of the industry work group Power Generation VPP (PGVPP). Alex lives with his wife and 11-year-old daughter outside of Reading, PA and enjoys a variety of activities including canoeing, fishing, and spending time in in the woods of Maine.
Christopher (Chris) Thursby
UCOR
Oak Ridge, TN
“The VPP process reduces US employee/worker exposure, risk, and livelihood daily, and is sustainable and repeatable over time. The VPPPA organization represents the core value of the VPP process (company execution) and is the voice of those that truly understand employee/worker protection excellence.”
Chris Thursby, UCOR Industrial Safety & IH Program and Nuclear Operations Senior S&H Manager is a certified professional with 38 years of experience in private industry and U.S. Department of Energy field operations, construction, demolition, and remediation. Chris has in-depth technical expertise in regulatory requirements for occupational safety, industrial hygiene, radiological protection, emergency management, process safety management, construction management, D&D and OSHA recordkeeping.
Chris is also a former VPPPA region 10 Chairperson and National Director at-Large, and is currently a senior member of the VPPPA National scholarship and awards committee. In 2018, Chris was selected and awarded the 2018 DOE-VPP Contractor Champion of the year, similar to OSHA’s Special Government Employee of the Year award. Chris has 29 years of VPP experience and has been a member of VPPPA for 29 years.