The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) honors exceptional safety professionals each year with the Safety Professional of the Year Award (SPY). The road to that honor at the National level begins at the Chapter.
Nominations are now open for the Northwest Chapter SPY Award
The ASSP Northwest Chapter is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the prestigious Chapter Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) Award for 2026. This award recognizes an outstanding chapter member for their significant contributions to the occupational safety and health (OSH) field and to our chapter community.
Nominate a deserving EHS professional who is making a real difference in the world of safety. See the nomination packet to get started!
Nomination deadline: December 15th, 2025. Email the Nomination Form to awards@northwestassp.org
Who is Eligible
To be eligible for the award, a nominee must
· Be a member in good standing with both the ASSP and the Northwest Chapter.
· Not have received this award within the past five (5) years.
· Be engaged in full-time employment in the EHS profession.
Nominees are not eligible if they are currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors or the Chapter Awards Committee or have been elected an ASSP fellow.
How to Submit a Nomination
· Review the nomination packet.
· Complete the nomination form in its entirety (last page of the packet).
· Submit the nomination form and supporting documentation to awards@northwest.assp.org.
o Nominations must be received no later than December 15th, 2025
o Supporting documents (resume and letter of endorsement) must be received no later than January 15th, 2026
Note: Members may nominate themselves.
Winner
Nominations are reviewed and the winner is chosen by the ASSP Northwest Chapter Board. The winner will be announced at the 2026 Professional Development Conference (PDC) in February. The award plaque will be mailed or delivered to the recipient if they are unable to attend the conference.
ASSP Chapter SPY nomination forms
Other ASSP Awards Lists:
Community SPY List (Common Interest Groups & Practice Specialties)
Council on Practices & Standards SPY List
Past Winners of Safety Professional of the Year
- 2025 Alanna Lee – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2024 Nick Marcella – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2022 Jennifer Carlson – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2021 Abby Ferri, CSP – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2019 Bill Woulu, CSP – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2019 Abby Ferri, CSP – ASSP Consultants Practice Specialty SPY
- 2018 Pamela A Hart, MPH, RN, CSP-Retired – Charles V. Culbertson Outstanding Volunteer Service Award
- 2016 Chris Flegel, CSP – Industrial Hygiene Practice Specialty SPY
- 2016 Jeff Jarvela, CSP – ASSE Mining Practice Specialty SPY
- 2016 Jamison Harrell-Latham, CSP – Northwest Chapter SPY and Region 5 SPY
- 2015 Richard Johnson, CSP-Retired – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2015 Carol A. Keyes, CSP, CRC – ASSE Consultants Practice Specialty SPY
- 2014 Carol A. Keyes, CSP, CRC – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2013 Chris Flegel, CSP – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2012 Scott Huberty, ARM – Northwest Chapter SPY
- 2011 Diana Stegall, CSP, CFPS, ARM, CPCU – Northwest Chapter SPY and Region 5 SPY
- 2010 Nancy Bendickson, CDS, CSP, ARM, ALCM – Council on Practices and Standards SPY and Transportation Practice Specialty SPY
Background and History
If you are not aware of the “SPY” award here is a little background. Edgar Monsanto Queeny, son of the founder and third president of Monsanto Company, perhaps more than any other chief executive in the history of American industry, saw first-hand the tragedy that can result from an industrial accident. Mr. Queeny was president of Monsanto on April 16, 1947, when the explosion of a French freighter destroyed Monsanto’s Texas City plant, killing 512 persons, including 145 Monsanto employees. Mr. Queeny was appalled by what he saw as he viewed the destruction.
A short time later, he wrote a report to employees and shareholders describing what he had seen and what it motivated him to do. It was, as a national news correspondent put it, “a masterpiece of restrained agony.” The loss and devastation moved him to place even greater emphasis on safety in the company’s operations. The firm’s enviable safety record to this day reflects Edgar Monsanto Queeny’s deep personal commitment to protect the worker from industrial accidents and health hazards.
It is in his memory that Monsanto Company proudly supports the objectives of the ASSP and annually sponsors this award for outstanding accomplishments by one of the Society’s top professionals.