Election ballots will be sent from ASSP society March 10th. Elections will run March 10-24th.

Thank you for taking the time to participate.

Election Non-Voting Positions: These positions are not voted on.

President: Nichole Guilfoy

Nichole Guilfoy is an experienced Total Worker Health practitioner and consultant, Nichole has over 20 years of expertise in human resources, safety, well-being, organizational development, and communication.  She provides evidence-based education, coaching, and strategic support to organizations across the Pacific Northwest. Nichole has a Bachelor of Science degree from Portland State University where she focused her studies on public health and Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

President-Elect: Kyle DeHart

Kyle DeHart is an Industrial Hygienist with SAIF Corporation and has been working in the fields of occupational health and safety and environmental management since 2014. In the past, Kyle has served as Chapter Advisory Group Member, Co-Chair/Chair of the Membership Committee, and is your current Chapter year’s Vice President . Along with his service to ASSP, Kyle has been active in recent years with the GOSH Program Planning Committee, as well as the Northwest Occupational Health Conference Planning Committee. Kyle holds a Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene from Montana Tech and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, OSHA 500 Authorized Outreach Trainer, and BCSP Certified Safety Professional. In his free time, Kyle enjoys cycling, rock climbing, playing guitar, listening to his extensive collection of vinyl records, and spending quality time with his wife and friends. Having been a Columbia Willamette Chapter Member since 2018 he is excited to continue serving the Chapter and its community of members.

Treasurer: Peche Barteaux

Peche Barteaux is a third-year student at Columbia Southern University working towards a Bachelors in Occupational Health and Safety. With eight years of experience at Oregon’s largest school district, Peche has been an active member of the American Society of Safety Professionals Columbia-Willamette Chapter since 2017. She has served as a student liaison to Oregon State University, contributed to the WISE Committee for three years, and participated as Sunshine Committee Chair for the last two years. Currently, she holds the position of Treasurer-Elect and has volunteered for SOLVE’s Earth Day event for the past three years. Peche is passionate about helping people and fostering a culture of safety and well-being. 

Election Voting Positions: These positions require a vote.

Vice President: Matt Harper

Matt Harper is a board-Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP). He is currently a Principal Consultant with BSI in Hillsboro, Oregon. His responsibilities include assisting clients throughout the Pacific Northwest with various industrial hygiene, occupational safety, and health related needs. Matt holds a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science with a Minor in Environmental Health and Safety from Oregon State University.

Treasurer-Elect: Deb Bridges

Deb Bridges, ASP, CIT, is an Occupational Safety and Health Consultant for Safety Northwest, where she has worked for almost 7 years.  Prior to joining the SNW team, she worked for 17 years in the contract restaurant field as a unit director, as well as conducting safety training and compliance for new and existing accounts both locally and regionally.  Deb grew up in Oregon, then studied at the University of California Davis, where she received a BA in History and has a Certificate in Project Management from Oregon State University.  When she is not being a safety nerd, Deb enjoys scuba diving, including working as a volunteer diver at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, competitive racewalking, as well as hiking and camping. 

 Since joining Safety Northwest 7 years ago I’ve sought out opportunities to increase my knowledge and to meet other safety professionals, and have found ASSP, both at the national and local level, to be a significant factor in my ability to learn, to access training, and to grow professionally.  Now, I am interested in giving back, doing my part to support the CWC, and am excited about the potential of serving as the treasurer-elect, then the treasurer.  Other volunteer roles include serving on the board of directors for my local farmer’s market, serving as the vice-chair of our neighborhood association, and the captain of my Portland to Coast team where I manage all the team finances.   Thank you for the opportunity!

Secretary: Caity Benston

Caity is gearing up for her third year as an ASSP member and fourth year in the safety industry, currently acting as Partner Marketing Manager for safety software and consulting company, KPA. She lives in Milwaukie, OR with her husband Brian, her daughter Evelyn, their cat Cookie, and their dog Princess Pants. Caity also serves as the President for the Toastmasters Club: The Clackamas Stepping Stones. When she isn’t busy with work or parenting (ha!), she enjoys reading, horror movies, cooking, hiking, and travel. .

Advisory Group: (Two Positions Available)

Delta Blurton

Delta Blurton is currently residing in Portland, Oregon, and serve as the Acting Global Safety/IH Manager in Technical Services at Intel. With five years of active membership in the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), I am now in my third year as an Advisory Group Member-at-Large for the National ASSP. Additionally, I hold the roles of Webmaster for the Columbia Willamette Chapter and co-chair of the Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) initiative.

In my current position, I am responsible for overseeing multiple global Safety/IH internal standards within our organization. One of my most notable achievements at work includes piloting an annual lab safety self-assessment program, which saw participation from over 2,000 labs globally and achieved a 98% completion rate in 2024.

On a personal note, I have been happily married for 24 years and am proud of my two children who are excelling at Oregon State University.

Amme Standring

Amme Standring is originally from Grants Pass, Oregon until moving to Corvallis to attend Oregon State University, she is the Safety Director for Charter Mechanical. She has worked in safety 24 years now for the mechanical trades and has had the pleasure to work on projects ranging from large semiconductor projects and commercial projects such as the Portland Airport, downtown buildings, school buildings to NW natural projects at the Oregon Coast. These years have given her the opportunity to run these projects by being the on-site safety manager daily to running a project team of 12 to cover our workforce and projects with proactive safety support. Her most impressive accomplishments are “The relationships I have built with the project teams, workers and construction community. I feel that anyone that has worked with me, understands that I am here to help support a safe and healthy construction environment for all workers.”

Delegate at Large: (Two Positions Available)

Elena Estrada

Elena Estrada is a Safety and Risk Analyst for Clackamas County Water Environment Services. Elena previously worked with the City of Portland. She has enjoyed her time serving as Treasurer-Elect and Treasurer with CWC. She is now looking forward to this opportunity to continue serving on the Executive Board..

Jackie Boyd

Jackie Boyd grew up in the small mountain town of Mt. Baldy in Southern California, where her love of the outdoors began. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, she moved to Portland, Oregon in 2019 to attend graduate school at Oregon Health & Science University – Portland State University School of Public Health. Since earning her Master of Public Health in Environmental Systems and Human Health, Jackie has been working as a Project Manager at the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, managing the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (OR-FACE) Program and the Work-life Check-ins Project. Similar to the Delegate at Large position, as a Project Manager, Jackie is an effective communicator, a problem solver, goal-oriented, and adept at building and fostering relationships. One of her proudest accomplishments is receiving the ASSP Foundation Grant and Scholarship, which has helped fund courses for her ongoing Occupational Hygiene Awareness Certificate from the Pacific Northwest OSHA Education Center.

Save the date!

Our next Community Service event is coming up in April. Join us for a Spring Clean-up with SOLVE. Sign-up information coming soon.

Oregon Spring Cleanup | SOLVE

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Donate Toys to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital!

Donate anytime via their Wish Lists on Amazon or Target! Once you land on their donation page, click on either Amazon or Target wish list, choose your item(s) and they will be shipped directly to Doernbecher.

View their wish list: Wish List | OHSU

In July 2024 ASSP announced a phased increase in membership dues over the next three years. This decision was voted on by the ASSP Board of Directors and was based on the results of a research project that was approved in 2022 and the fact that costs continue to increase to deliver exceptional member benefits. The research indicated that most members would support an increase in their investment if membership provided additional value. The two key changes are:

1. Phased increase in annual membership dues over next three years
2. All members can now join any and all Common Interest Groups and Practice Specialties at NO COST, giving them access to these colleagues across industries and identities and free CEUs through webinars offered by these communities.

Learn more about the changes here: Q&A: Unlock More Value in Your ASSP Membership

Phased Increase in Membership Fees

Starting September 2024:

• Phased increase in dues over the next three years:
  • First Year: $195 USD (currently $180 in U.S., $150 in Canada)
  • Second Year: $205 USD
  • Third Year: $215 USD
• Other rates:
  • Members outside U.S. and Canada: $80 USD
  • Students and emeritus members: $15 USD

This is the first increase for U.S. members since a phased increase between 2017-2019.

This change does NOT affect your chapter dues.

Increased Free Access to CIG and PS Communities!

As part of this restructuring, all members will now have the opportunity to join any or all common interest groups and practice specialty communities at no additional cost. Previously, membership in each group or community was $20/each/year. Here are a few benefits you can receive when participating in these communities:

• Broader Connections: Engage with colleagues across 18 practice specialties and four common interest groups.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Collaborate, discuss best practices, and share resources with industry peers.
• Learning Opportunities: Access over 80 webinars annually, many offering free CEUs.
• Financial Relief: No extra fees for joining groups, reducing financial burden.
• Customizable Experience: Add or remove groups anytime to suit your needs.
• Commitment to DEI: Reflects ASSP’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Practice Specialties: Practice Specialty Communities for Safety Professionals | ASSP

Common Interest Groups: Common Interest Communities for Safety Professionals | ASSP

Dear ASSP-CWC Members,

As we embark on the 2024-2025 Chapter Year, I want to take a moment to share some important updates regarding our monthly membership meetings. These meetings are a cornerstone of our Chapter, providing valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and professional growth. However, to ensure the long-term sustainability of these events, we have made some necessary adjustments to the fee structure.

New Fee Structure for Monthly Meetings:

1. ASSP-CWC Member, Pre-Register & Pay in Advance: $25.00 (No Increase)
2. ASSP-CWC Member, Pre-Register & Pay at Door: $30.00 (Increase of $5.00)
3. Guest, Pre-Register & Pay in Advance: $35.00 (Increase of $5.00)
4. Guest, Pre-Register & Pay at Door: $37.50 (Increase of $7.50)
5. Students: $5.00 (Increase of $5.00)
6. Past Presidents at Past President’s Meeting: $0.00 (No Change)
7. New Members (First Meeting w/ Code): $0.00 (No Change)

The Why Behind These Changes:

Our Chapter meetings are hosted at Brix Tavern, a wonderful venue that ensures we have the space and resources needed to deliver high-quality events. However, each meeting comes at a cost to the Chapter, particularly when individuals pre-register and select to pay at the door and do not attend. We provide a headcount to Brix Tavern in advance, and when those numbers don’t align with actual attendance, we incur significant losses.

To reduce our financial losses and ensure the Chapter’s stability, we’ve made the following decisions:

1. Subsidizing Costs for Members: Despite the changes, we are committed to continuing to subsidize a portion of the lunch cost for our members. We believe this is an important benefit that adds value to your membership.
2. Discouraging “Pay-at-the-Door” No-Shows: We recognize that flexibility is important, so we will continue to allow pay-at-the-door registration. However, we’ve increased the cost slightly to discourage this practice as no-shows have been a significant contributor to our financial losses.
3. Reducing Subsidies for Non-Members: Guests who pre-register and pay in advance will still receive a small subsidy on their meal. However, the subsidy will be significantly reduced compared to members, aligning with our goal of incentivizing membership while managing costs.
4. Encouraging Student Attendance: Students remain an essential part of our community, and we want to continue to support their involvement. By introducing a nominal fee, we hope to enhance the likelihood that registered students will attend, reducing the chance of losses due to no-shows.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we implement these changes. Our goal is to create a sustainable and thriving Chapter that continues to offer valuable experiences to all members. If you have any questions or concerns about these updates, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the ASSP-CWC community.

Warm regards,

Brittany Johnston

President, Columbia Willamette Chapter