UCOP’s Erike Young named Safety Professional of the Year
June 19, 2012 •
Erike Young, director of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) in UCOP’s Office of Risk Services, has been named the 2012 Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).
The Queeny SPY is awarded annually to an outstanding member of ASSE for accomplishments and contributions in the occupational safety, health and environmental field.
Young became EH&S interim director in December 2009 and director in August 2010, reporting to Chief Risk Officer Grace Crickette and overseeing safety policies and procedures at UC’s 10 campuses, five hospitals and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
His primary role is to guide the development, implementation and maintenance of policies, procedures and programs necessary to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the more than 180,000 employees, 220,000 students and all visitors at UC locations.
“Erike is a dynamic leader who is not only technically proficient, but is able to bring people together to work toward a common vision,” Crickette wrote in her nomination letter on behalf of Young. “The development of an (EH&S) strategic plan had been talked about for many years, but within two months of becoming the director, Erike was able to organize all of the campus and hospital EH&S directors systemwide to adopt a systemwide EH&S strategic plan that will help guide leadership for the next five years.”
A member of ASSE since 2005, Young has served in almost all leadership positions within the Sacramento chapter and chaired its Professional Development Conference committee. He has actively encouraged others to pursue professional development opportunities, such as by spearheading Associate Safety Professional and Certified Safety Professional study groups which resulted in eight chapter members including Young becoming CSPs. In 2011, Young won the Region I Safety Professional of the Year award.
Young is actively involved in his community, serving as the safety officer for the Ponderosa Little League. He also is a board member on the Rescue Union School District Board.
ASSE is the world’s oldest professional safety organization with more than 34,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment.
Photo courtesy: American Society of Safety Engineers
