MEET THE Keynote Speaker
Brian Button
Mr. Brian Button, Former Mayor of Port aux Basques
Brian Button
Mr. Brian Button, Former Mayor of Port aux Basques
Post-tropical storm Fiona made landfall in Channel-Port aux Basques, on September 24, 2022, causing catastrophic damage. The storm surge and intense winds destroyed dozens of homes, washed out roads, and significantly altered the coastline. Considered one of the most destructive storms in the region’s history, leading to a state of emergency, numerous homes being swept into the ocean, and at least one fatality. Retired mayor Brian Button will take us through his experiences before, during and after the storm.
MEET THE Event Speakers
Nadine Wentzell
Consultant Phamacist
Nadine Wentzell
Consultant Phamacist
Since cannabis legalization in 2018, usage has surged and become normalized, creating new challenges for workplace safety. With high-potency THC products and the discreet use of edibles, traditional drug testing has not kept pace, raising questions about legality, privacy, and risk management. Navigating this complex landscape means education, based on facts and hard science, is vital. Success depends on the collective involvement of employees, supervisors, and management at all levels. This session will identify practical strategies and best practices to address cannabis-related risks and build a culture that supports both individual rights and organizational safety. This is not just about compliance; it’s about fostering a safe and informed workplace in the face of evolving norms.
Dr. Brent Snook
Dr. Brent Snook
Dr. Brent Snook
Dr. Brent Snook
Brent is a University Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research involves an examination of the reliability and validity of investigative practices, such as investigative interviewing. His work involves the implementation of science-based models of interviewing in North America. He also serves as an expert witness on interviewing and memory contamination in court and provides legal advice on the integrity of evidence derived from interviews and interrogations.
Todd Barron
Mr. Todd Barron
Todd Barron
Mr. Todd Barron
Todd served as a police officer for over 27 years and retired at the rank of Inspector. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Experimental Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Police Studies and Business from Memorial University of Newfoundland. His policing background includes certification as a polygraph examiner, Major Crimes investigator, and officer in charge of his department’s investigative Interviewing unit. He was responsible for training all members of the criminal investigation division, patrol services, and new police recruits on investigative interviewing practices. Todd also developed new interviewing courses and provided advice on interviewing protocols for ongoing investigations for his department. Internationally, Todd worked with financial institutions to provide training for auditors to assist with more effective audit interviews, and with police agencies wanting to adopt the PEACE model of Interviewing. Todd has given talks on ethical interviewing practices at Osgoode Law School of York University, Toronto and Brooklyn Law School, New York City. Todd continues to provide talks and training sessions to many other organizations both nationally and internationally. He has also co-authored several published works on interviewing practices. Todd’s research interests pertain to the development of professional and ethical interviewing standards.
Rick Donato
Mr. Rick Donato
Rick Donato
Mr. Rick Donato
Rick started his safety career in the Automotive Industry in Canada and the USA. He went on to Municipal Safety for the Chippewas of Rama First Nation while they were in the midst of an expansion of their Casino Hotel Complex. Rick was then recruited into the mining industry in Wabush and subsequently worked on the Maritime LInk from Soldiers Pond to Cape Ray, NL. Rick then went back to Labrador City to work with RothLochston and finally to RothLochston’s Head Office in Paradise, NL. Rick is now enjoying the semi-retired life between NL and the sunny south.
Mike Quilty
Mr. Mike Quilty
Mike Quilty
Mr. Mike Quilty
Mike has more than 20 years of experience across the oil and gas, marine, mining, energy, construction and municipal sectors; he is an accomplished Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) leader that has built a career grounded in regulatory excellence, operational integrity, and a commitment to zero harm to personnel and the environment. His career spans frontline operations, corporate governance, emergency management, and complex project environments in a multitude of roles in the realms of Health, Safety, Environmental & Quality management for highly recognized organizations such as ExxonMobil, Suncor Energy, Vale, Nalcor Energy, the Canadian Coast Guard, City of St.John’s and most recently is appointed to the role of Corporate HSEQ Manager for Rothlochston.
In his leisure time, he enjoys outdoor activities including snowmobiling, boating, fishing, and snowshoeing, as well as spending time with his six-year old daughter.
Ray Dalton
Mr. Ray Dalton
Ray Dalton
Mr. Ray Dalton
Raymond Dalton has been in the Marine and Offshore Oil and Gas industry for the last 40 years. The first half of his career he spent as a deck officer and eventually Captain and spent several years as Captain on Terra Nova FPSO. In 2006 his younger brother was killed while working in a confined space onboard the shuttle tanker Kometik. After the incident he focused on safety training and received a certificate in health and safety from the University of Fredericton and currently working as a Safety Manager for Sea1 Offshore Canada. For the last 20 years he has tried to keep his brother's memory alive by sharing the story and the lessons learned. Each year he visits the Marine Institute and talks to the first-year students who are preparing to start their marine careers and discusses the incident and the workers' rights (Right to Know, Right to Participate and Right to Refuse Unsafe Work).
Robert Horwood
Mr. Robert Horwood
Robert Horwood
Mr. Robert Horwood
Robert is an Information Technology veteran with over 15 years of experience specializing in networking and cybersecurity within the maritime industry. Throughout his career, he has developed deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and standards, including IMO Resolution MSC.428(98) and DNV Cyber Secure notations for vessels. His work focuses on advancing cyber resilience in maritime operations, ensuring compliance, and implementing robust security architectures for critical systems at sea.
Andrew Pike
Mr. Andrew Pike
Andrew Pike
Mr. Andrew Pike
Andrew Pike is the Manager of the Made Safe NL program, Newfoundland and Labrador’s safety sector council for manufacturing and fish processing. With over 17 years of experience in occupational health and safety program management and a background in human resources, Andrew is driven to make safer workplaces not just a goal, but a reality. Andrew has played a key role in the sector council project, collaborating with the forestry, municipal, fish harvesting, fish processing, and manufacturing industries to develop tailored, industry specific safety associations.
Outside the office, Andrew is a registered marriage commissioner, a proud father of 2, and reluctant cat owner.
Andrew Mercer
Mr. Andrew Mercer
Andrew Mercer
Mr. Andrew Mercer
Andrew Mercer began teaching in Newfoundland and Labrador schools in 1994. Since 2004, his teaching has been entirely online through the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation. His proven track record in the creation and dissemination of content via social media has produced a YouTube channel with over six million views, and social media followers tipping 25,000. Since the mid-90s, Andrew has been a pioneer in educational technology innovation in both the public and private sectors. His innovative work has been profiled in CNN, Popular Science, The Wall Street Journal, The Globe and Mail, Nippon TV, and Canadian Music Educator. He has shared his work at national and international conferences and symposia including the ISME Conference, TEDx, MTNA National Conference, National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and MENC: National Association of Music Educators. He has been a member of several Boards of Directors including the Canadian Music Educators' Association and the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. He is currently a member of MUN's Board of Regents, a director with Debut Atlantic and a member of the NL Music Educator's Association (NLMEA).
David Legge
Mr. David Legge
David Legge
Mr. David Legge
David leads the province’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Division with the Department of Government Services, overseeing enforcement of the OHS program that promotes accident prevention and strengthens workplace safety culture throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
David represents the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on national and provincial OHS committees including the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation, the Canadian Association of Chief Inspectors of Mines, as well as the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association and SafetyNL.
David also serves on the Board of Governors for the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals, advancing best practices in health and safety across Canada.
Alex Frederick
Mr. Alex Frederick
Alex Frederick
Mr. Alex Frederick
Alex has over 12 years’ experience in the Health and Safety Field. Before coming to GIP, Alex worked with a general contractor specializing in wastewater and water infrastructure. Alex has worked on and been responsible for projects from NB, ON, MB, SK, and BC. Today Alex will discuss the prevention of utility strikes during ground disturbance.
Cheryl Osborne
Ms. Cheryl Osborne
Cheryl Osborne
Ms. Cheryl Osborne
Cheryl works with WorkplaceNL in the role of Health and Safety Advisor - Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention. Holding a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree and Certified Ergonomics Specialist designation, she has a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and injury prevention. For more than 18 years, Cheryl has been helping workplaces apply practical, evidence-based solutions to optimize the relationship between individuals and their work environments to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and enhance employee well-being.
Kathleen Sullivan
Certification Training Specialist
Kathleen Sullivan
Certification Training Specialist
Kathleen is a Certification Training Specialist with WorkplaceNL and held a Health and Safety Advisor position in the retail and service industry with WorkplaceNL prior to that. Her previous experience in health and safety is in the oil and gas sector.
With a background in Kinesiology, Kathleen has always been familiar with musculoskeletal injuries. While working in a physiotherapy clinic after completing her Master’s she was shocked at the number of patients who were there because of a workplace injury. At this point, Kathleen decided to pursue a career in Occupational Health and Safety, to try to proactively prevent these injuries as opposed to dealing with them after the injury has happened.
Roger Gillingham
Chief of the North Shore Volunteer Fire Department
Jeff Jackson
Region 1 Director - Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services
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