DENIS BAKER
Summary
Dynamic EHS leader with a proven track record at Blue Bird Bus Manufacturing, achieving a 52% reduction in TRIR through strategic safety culture transformation. Expert in regulatory compliance and risk management, fostering union collaboration and workforce engagement to drive sustainable safety initiatives. Committed to environmental stewardship and organizational excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Director, EHS & Security
Blue Bird Bus Manufacturing
01.2023 - Current
- Engineered a 'First in Safety' cultural transformation, achieving a 52% TRIR reduction and sustaining zero Lost Time Incidents.
- Negotiated directly with the United Steel Workers Union to secure groundbreaking zero-tolerance safety policies.
- Built enterprise-wide DOT/FMCSA compliance program integrating technology, driver qualification, and advanced training.
- Championed environmental stewardship, aligning EPA & GA EPD compliance with corporate ESG initiatives.
Global Sr. Director, EHS
Plug Power
03.2025 - 08.2025
- Company Overview: PLUG POWER REDUCED EHS TEAM DUE TO LACK OF SALES AND PROFIT
- Recruited to establish and elevate the global Environmental, Health & Safety strategy across U.S. and European operations.
- Despite a limited tenure, rapid transformation was driven by designing sustainable frameworks, implementing international standards, and aligning EHS with business operations.
- Designed the company’s first Global EHS Strategic Plan to standardize compliance, risk management, and cultural expectations across multiple regions.
- Built a scalable EHS Management System integrating policies, procedures, and global best practices.
- Launched weekly Safety Huddles and structured audit processes, improving frontline engagement and leadership visibility.
- Conducted comprehensive environmental assessments across all facilities, identifying permit requirements and gaps to achieve regulatory compliance.
- Developed a global Fleet/DOT Logistics Program, including driver training and compliance protocols.
- Established weekly EHS leadership and communication meetings, ensuring alignment between corporate and site-level operations.
- Performed site visits across the U.S. and Europe, leading risk assessments, hazard analyses, and PPE evaluations to unify global standards.
- PLUG POWER REDUCED EHS TEAM DUE TO LACK OF SALES AND PROFIT
Sr. HSE Manager
Tenaris Manufacturing
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Designed and launched a behavior change system that improved workforce engagement and safety outcomes.
- Implemented a comprehensive incident & injury management program, sharply reducing recordables and Lost Time injuries.
- Secured ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certifications, ensuring operational excellence and global compliance.
- Directed development of a multi-site PSM program, mitigating operational risk across locations.
Director, Health & Safety
Ferguson Enterprises
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Cut TRIR by 40% and LTIR by 80% across a 14,000-employee enterprise, setting industry performance benchmarks.
- Designed and delivered executive-level training on safety culture, reshaping leadership behaviors across 550+ sites.
- Launched a 3-year enterprise HSE strategy, aligning safety performance with organizational growth objectives.
- Orchestrated COVID-19 response, ensuring seamless compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
VP, HSE & Risk Management
Osburn Contractors LLC
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: (Osburn Contractors does not exist.
- Delivered a 77% reduction in recordables, 100% elimination of Lost Time injuries, and 75% fewer vehicle incidents, generating 17% insurance cost savings.
- Developed and institutionalized comprehensive EHS systems, embedding sustainable policies and training enterprise-wide.
- (Osburn Contractors does not exist.
VP, QEHSS & Risk Management
Flogistix, LP
01.2009 - 01.2016
- Drove EMR reduction from 1.87 to 0.55, transforming insurance costs and contractor ratings.
- Achieved TRIR reduction from 3.86 to 0.52, positioning the company as an industry safety leader.
- Negotiated insurance portfolio savings of 20% over four years through safety excellence and compliance initiatives.
- Created BIOGISTIX sustainability program, linking operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.
Education
B.S. - Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology
Oklahoma State University
Skills
- Strategic Safety Leadership & Culture Transformation
- Regulatory Mastery: DOT/FMCSA, OSHA VPP, PSM, ISO Standards
- Risk Mitigation & Crisis Management
- Union Collaboration & Workforce Engagement
- ESG & Sustainability Leadership
- Executive Coaching & Leadership Development
- Safety compliance
- Risk management
- Incident investigation
- Environmental stewardship
- Policy writing
- Regulatory compliance
- Stakeholder engagement
- Data analysis
- Supply chain management
- Project management
- Change management
- Effective communication
- Team leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Performance optimization
- Corporate social responsibility
- Global expansion
- Innovation management
- Strategic partnerships
- Corporate governance
- Organizational leadership
- Succession planning
- Corporate communications
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Written communication
- Database maintenance
- Performance measurement
- Recruitment and hiring
- Team building
- Performance improvement
- Budgeting and cost control
- Calendar management
- Client account management
Websites
Certifications And Leadership Credentials
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Board of Certified Safety Professionals
- ISO 45001 Lead Auditor | ISO 14001 & 9001 Internal Auditor
- Maxwell Leadership Certified Executive Coach & Keynote Speaker
- Certified DISC Trainer & Behavioral Consultant
- OSHA VPP Special Government Employee (SGE) – Past
Affiliations
Well-rounded leader recognized for fostering safety culture, building trust, and empowering high-performing teams. Known for integrity, adaptability, and leading by example to drive collaboration, accountability, and measurable results.
Key Strengths / Core Competencies- Safety Leadership – Builds and sustains strong safety cultures that promote accountability and trust.
- Team Empowerment – Inspires and develops individuals to achieve peak performance and growth.
- Influence & Integrity – Leads by example with credibility, adaptability, and consistency.
- Collaboration – Strengthens relationships across diverse teams to drive alignment and results.
- Continuous Improvement – Champions innovation, resilience, and sustainable success.
Timeline
Global Sr. Director, EHS
Plug Power
03.2025 - 08.2025
Corporate Director, EHS & Security
Blue Bird Bus Manufacturing
01.2023 - Current
Sr. HSE Manager
Tenaris Manufacturing
01.2022 - 01.2023
Director, Health & Safety
Ferguson Enterprises
01.2018 - 01.2022
VP, HSE & Risk Management
Osburn Contractors LLC
01.2016 - 01.2018
VP, QEHSS & Risk Management
Flogistix, LP
01.2009 - 01.2016
B.S. - Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology
Oklahoma State University
Similar Profiles
Jisset Arroyo (JETT)Jisset Arroyo (JETT)
Tire Build-Up at Blue Bird BusTire Build-Up at Blue Bird Bus
Eric D GloverEric D Glover
Sheet Metal Mechanic at Blue Bird Bus CompanySheet Metal Mechanic at Blue Bird Bus Company
Kevin MooreKevin Moore
Inventory Specialist/ Electrical Installer at Blue Bird Bus SalesInventory Specialist/ Electrical Installer at Blue Bird Bus Sales
Joey HuntJoey Hunt
Director of Asset Protection & Corporate Security at TapestryDirector of Asset Protection & Corporate Security at Tapestry
Marlon OrtezMarlon Ortez
Director of Asset Protection & Corporate Security at Goodwill San Francisco BayDirector of Asset Protection & Corporate Security at Goodwill San Francisco Bay