Message From Our Chairman on 2017 Safety Summit

First and foremost, let me say that I am honored to be addressing the membership and summit attendees as the Region IX VPPPA Chairperson for the first time. This role allows me to represent the finest workplaces in the nation – a true “All Star Team”! Since we last met in Phoenix, Region IX VPPPA board of directors has experienced tremendous change allowing us to better support the region as well as the national VPPPA organization. Included in this change is a new chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, treasurer, representative from a site w/o collective bargaining and director-at-large. But amidst all the change, many constants remain including our mission to facilitate a network for worksites in Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii and Nevada to achieve and strengthen their goals around safety excellence!

With the support of the membership, VPPPA continues to drive towards the codification of VPP. New federal bills are currently being submitted to pick up with the current congress where we left off in 2016. And in Arizona, VPPPA has had the opportunity to actively support the state legislation adopting the VPP into Arizona Revised Statutes. In addition, worksite to worksite mentoring activity is on the rise in the region which demonstrates the strength and growth of the program. The continual outreach by our membership to help others learn how to actively engage in safety excellence is a true sign of an All Star Team!

The Region IX VPPPA planning committee and board of directors have put together a great event for you to learn, network and participate. I challenge you to make new friends, talk with those you have not met and share best practices. Take in great workshops presented by some of this country's top safety professionals. Challenge yourself to participate in all the activities the safety summit has to offer including the exhibitor baseball card game. Thank you for joining this All Star Team and I am confident you will grow from this year’s safety summit!

On behalf of the Region IX VPPPA Board of Directors, I welcome you to this year’s ALL STAR Safety Summit!

Gilbert Aceves
Chairman
Region IX VPPPA Board of Directors