Biography
Daniel G. Hopwood, MPH, CSP, SMS, ARM, has 40 years of experience providing risk control services to commercial insured’s nationally and worldwide, both from the carrier and insurance broker perspectives. He started his career with a global insurance company, joining Sompo Insurance in 2018. There, he manages risk control services for large policyholders and oversees the Western Region Risk Control team. Additionally, his career activities include time as a Corporate Director of Safety and Risk Management for one of the nations’ premier thoroughbred racing establishments. As a risk and safety professional, he has assisted many organizations in assessing their overall risk profile and identifying strategies to manage them.
He has long been engaged in academic activities authoring one safety – related college text and co-authoring another. Dan taught a 3 - unit occupational safety class at San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies for nearly 20 years, guest lecturing for several others. During this time, he also held a Lecturer position (1999-2003) and was Adjunct Faculty (2003-04) in SDSU’s Graduate School of Public Health teaching safety classes and one on Crisis Management.
Dan has been for years and remains actively involved in the American Society of Safety Professionals, having served as Assistant Regional Vice President and Vice President in Region 1 and currently is a member of the Leadership Conference Committee. He’s also served on numerous other Society Committees and held several Chapter-focused offices, including President, Delegate and PDC Chair, amongst others.
Dan was presented the Charles V. Culbertson Award in 2017.
Platform Statement
Every year is essential in the evolution and development of ASSP’s strategic plans, services and the benefits to members and the resultant value the plans and services each provide. Such is the case in the next few years with Professional Development. We stand at an inflection point; decisions will be required to help frame the content and context of future Professional Development Conferences and assist in framing the role and preference of ASSP in the safety professional’s on-going education and training. And, this position will be critical in assuring ASSP’s overall professional development offerings are meaningful and distinguishable from others in the safety arena. Now, more than ever, ASSP needs to be recognized as the premier provider of training and education in the occupational safety and health field. Professional development is instrumental in that recognition.
The safety professional who is afforded the opportunity to fill this role must come from a well-versed and ASSP - experienced position; with significant background in PDC planning, curriculum design and speaking experience, each helps to validate overall tactical and strategic strengths regarding this position.
Having been active in several ASSP leadership roles, the value and importance of collaboration, team building and interaction with other ASSP functions, Councils and staff is clearly understood; establishing a capable, diverse and energetic Council is a primary key to success. The talent pool for Council candidates is deep; my network and ASSP’s deep bench helps assure building a strong, successful team.
Though essential, this position is more than curriculum development, instructional design and establishing learning objectives. It requires a critical analysis and decisions relative to how professional development opportunities are deployed in the future. Capitalizing on the best and brightest amongst safety professionals, utilization of innovative technologies and being on the leading edge of development topics will be essential.