Our latest Management Practice Specialty member profile is about Stan Geist, ASP, CSP. I met Stan about 5 years ago, when he became a dedicated member of the Advisory Committee for the what was then the Human Resources Branch within the Management Practice Specialty. Last year Stan joined, joined our Advisory Committee, where he serves as website and social media chair. He’s a member of ASSPs Bakersfield Chapter.

Stan spent the early part of his career in sales and retail, but after some industry downsizing, decided to pursue a degree in human resource management. He spent the last 25 years as a human resource/safety generalist, first in retail, then in the raisin industry, and most recently with California Dairies Inc. (CDI).

He has worked for CDI for 17 years and is currently director of safety, a position he has held for 5 years. Stan is especially proud of a 46% reduction in injuries since 2011 at CDI. He's also proud of the part he has played in the implementation of employee-driven safety teams. I suspect the two achievements are related, as we know employee involvement is a key component of a successful safety and health program. Presently, Stan is focused on reviewing the ISO 45001 standard for possible application to CDI’s business. Beyond that, he is working to complete his M.S. in Occupational Safety and Health/Environmental Management.

As always, I ask those in our spotlight how they de-stress when not at work. Stan enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 children. As he says “a leader needs to be healthy, mentally, physically and spiritually. You need balance in your personal life. Healthy leaders make for healthy teams and healthy teams make for healthy organizations.” Stan is bi-vocational and serves as a worship pastor for his local church, playing and writing music in his spare time.