CHERIE KILLIAN BERRY, was sworn in as North Carolina’s first female labor commissioner on Jan. 6, 2001. She won re-election in 2004 and began her second term Jan. 5, 2005. Commissioner Berry, a native of Catawba County, is the former business owner of LGM, Ltd., a company that produces spark plug wires for the automotive industry. Commissioner Berry was born in Newton. She is the daughter of Lena Carrigan Killian and the late Earl Killian. Berry was married to the late Norman H. Berry Jr. The couple has four children. Click here for complete bio.
JOHN DREBINGER, delivers fun, magic, and stories to help you achieve the success you seek for a safe and productive workplace. His story of how he went from being a fan of our nation’s space program to actually sitting on board three of our space shuttles has inspired thousands to raise the expectations, vision, passion, and energy of their workforce to build a safer and more productive workplace! Click here for complete bio.
KATHY BUCKLEY, will provide conference attendees with a night of entertainment and inspiration. Click here for complete bio.
ALLEN McNEELY, was appointed Deputy Commissioner/Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) in July of 2003. He joined NCDOL in the summer of 2001 as the Director of Research and Policy after working with the North Carolina Community College System for 13 years. He has a diverse background in higher education administration and training initiatives. His 30 years of state employment also include service at North Carolina State University (NC State) and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. Click here for complete bio.
THOMAS A. BOARDLEY, With over 25 years in mining, construction, and manufacturing, Thomas has held positions in operations management, project engineering, and project management. In these positions, he has been responsible for the safety of the projects and worksites. It has been Thomas' responsibility to train employees, identify hazards, and facilitate the development of a safe work environment. Click here for complete bio.
ANTHONY B. BONAPART, grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and currently works for the North Carolina Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health as the Department Safety Coordinator, Homeland Security Coordinator and Hazardous Materials Communications and Response Specialist. In this position he serves as the Department’s principle advisor on Homeland Security matters and represents the agency on Federal Homeland Security boards and commissions, the North Carolina Emergency Response Commission, the North Carolina State Emergency Response Team, the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission, and was appointed Commissioner to the North Carolina Radiation Commission in 2007. He also travels extensively throughout North Carolina providing training on the North Carolina Right-to-Know Act (RTK) and various OSHA topics. Click here for complete bio.
DAVID G. LYNN, CSP, is a Senior Program Manager with the Corporate Health, Safety, and Environmental department at the Fluor Corporation based in Greenville, South Carolina. David enjoys sharing his distinct perspective on how his experience has impacted his approach to leading health and safety. Through a unique blend of work experiences with OSHA, Duracell, Owens Corning, and Fluor, David has witnessed the core of high performance safety cultures. Click here for complete bio.
STEVE GHEEN, was designated as Chief Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission on December 20, 2005. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.A. degree in 1972 and an M.A. degree in History in 1974. He received his J.D. from North Carolina Central University in 1985. He has served as a Deputy Commissioner of Insurance; Clerk to the Honorable Hugh A. Wells (deceased), Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals; Assistant District Attorney for Judicial District 27-A; in the private practice of law in Gaston County for 13 years; and Assistant Attorney General of the N.C. Department of Justice, assigned to the Industrial Commission as agency counsel. Mr. Gheen is a native of Cleveland County, is the father of two children, and is married to Cathy Moore, an attorney for the County of Durham.
MARCY COLLYER, is a highly qualified professional with an extensive background in environmental, health and safety management and consulting. Marcy relocated to North Carolina from northern New York and joined the ETTA staff in July 2006 as a Health Education and Training Specialist. In September 2007 Marcy began her current position as Training Supervisor. She has a diverse background which includes five years of service in the United States Navy, wastewater laboratory experience and experience working on grant and State funded research projects while completing her college education. For seven years Marcy worked as a consultant where one of her primary duties was the development and instruction of health and safety training programs. Marcy graduated from the State University of New York - Plattsburgh in 1996 with a B.S. in environmental science and a minor in chemistry. Click here for complete bio.