Please join us in recognizing Anthony Barrueta Digesti, one of our newest Columbia Willamette Chapter volunteers. Anthony serves on ASSP’s Advisory Group, helping represent member perspectives and provide feedback that supports the Society’s strategic direction. He’s also an active chapter supporter, regularly attending meetings and networking events. We appreciate Anthony’s willingness to get involved and are excited to feature him in this month’s Member Spotlight.

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When and how did you begin your safety career?

My path into safety was not a traditional one. As an immigrant, a single mother, and a lifelong learner, I spent many years balancing work, school, family, and volunteer commitments while continuing my education and trying to build a better future for my family. Along the way, I discovered Environmental Health and Safety, a field that combines my favorite topics: science, problem-solving, service, and leadership. What attracted me most was the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives while also protecting the environment.

I realized that safety professionals often work behind the scenes, but the impact of our work reaches everyone. Today, I bring a unique blend of technical expertise, genuine passion, and a deep sense of responsibility to my work to protect people, safeguard the environment, and strengthen organizational resilience. Looking back, I can honestly say that choosing a career in Environmental Health & Safety was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

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Did you know the ASSP Columbia‑Willamette Chapter has an active student section at OSU in Corvallis? The Oregon State University ASSP Student Section continues to bring heart, energy, and passion to our regional safety community. They meet biweekly, creating a welcoming space for students to learn about the safety profession, connect with peers, and engage with guest speakers and industry partners.

This year’s leadership team, President Natalie McKinley, Vice President Daniel Burns, and Treasurer & Secretary Philip Gomez, works closely with faculty advisors Allison Hagihara and Barbara Hudson‑Hanley, Ph.D., to support students from OSU’s Environmental & Occupational Health Program as they explore career paths in the field of Environmental Health & Safety.

To help students on their professional journey, the Columbia‑Willamette Chapter offers local scholarships that provide financial assistance to ASSP student members pursuing safety-related degrees. This support recognizes the dedication of students as they prepare to become the next generation of safety professionals.

Coming soon! Look for interviews with graduating OSU students in our next newsletter. They’ll share what sparked their interest in safety, how ASSP shaped their academic journey, and what excites them the most as they launch into their careers.

To connect with the OSU student leadership or learn more about upcoming meetings, reach out to Marta Szabatin at szabatin@ohsu.edu   

What initially drew you to ASSP and what keeps you engaged?

I am a relatively new member of ASSP (about 2 years). I attended my first meeting as a non-member. At that meeting, I realized how welcoming everyone was and how tight-knit the safety community was, so I decided to become a member. Fast forward a couple of months, and I was at the Pulp and Paper conference and stopped by the ASSP booth, and was introduced to Kyle and Linda and they were so welcoming, and so I decided to get involved by becoming a Delegate at Large for the Santiam Section and later co-chairing WISE. What keeps me engaged is seeing the members show up every month and be so engaged with the safety profession. It is also really cool to be able to network with new people at each meeting.

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Todd Hudson

President, Maverick Safety Training

Mentorship Chair, ASSP Columbia Willamette Chapter

Meet Todd Hudson

Maverick Safety Training is a professional development firm that caters to people in the EHS sector, specifically helping them become great trainers. A lot of EHS professionals are technically very knowledgeable, but don’t know how to create and deliver engaging content that people remember and changes behaviors.

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