John Sterritt
EHS Professional
Goleta,CA
Summary
Seasoned Executive Director with significant strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership expertise. Demonstrated ability to drive growth via innovative solutions and proactive leadership style. Strengths include strong interpersonal skills, financial acumen, and commitment to fostering a positive organizational culture. Notable impact includes turning around underperforming departments and implementing effective strategies for long-term success.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director, Environmental, Health & Safety
University of California Irvine
Irvine, CA
09.2019 - Current
- Responsible for management oversight of the Campus Office of Environmental Health & Safety organization, which includes coordination of occupational safety and health programs, research safety (radiation, biosafety, chemical, and field safety), emergency response, industrial hygiene services, public health, Fire Marshal Services, Fire and Life Safety System maintenance and inspections, construction safety, new construction design review, and occupancy approval.
- Significant accomplishments include managing the annual budget (> $10M), supporting Campus COVID Response Efforts, and opening two BioSafety Level 3 labs.
Director, Environmental, Health & Safety, Risk and Emergency Services
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
12.2015 - 09.2019
- Responsible for management oversight of the Campus Office of Environmental Health & Safety, Risk and Emergency Services organization, which includes coordination of occupational safety and health programs, research safety (radiation, biosafety, chemical, and field safety), emergency management, business continuity, industrial hygiene services, public health, dive and boat safety, fire and life safety, construction safety, new construction design review and occupancy approval, liability loss control, accident prevention, workers compensation, liability claims, and insurance services.
- Significant accomplishments include coordinating a comprehensive third-party review of Campus-wide Risk, Emergency Management, and EHS services; developing a 3-year EH&S strategic plan; and managing the response to the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide events.
Principal Manager (Director level position), Corporate Safety Operations
Southern California Edison
Rosemead, CA
05.2014 - 11.2015
- Responsible for management oversight of the corporation's safety operations group, which includes coordination of occupational safety and health programs, industrial hygiene services, fire and life safety, construction safety, liability loss control, and accident prevention efforts for high-hazard electrical utility work, operations of gas, nuclear, and hydropower generation facilities, fleet and vehicle maintenance activity, and office safety efforts.
Director, Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles, CA
04.2010 - 05.2014
- Responsible for management oversight of the District's Office of Environmental Health and Safety, which includes coordination of occupational safety and health programs, emergency response, crisis management, industrial hygiene services, fire and life safety, construction safety, new construction design review and occupancy approval, liability loss control, and accident prevention efforts for a program that encompasses 100,000 employees and approximately 1,000,000 students at 900+ schools.
Risk Management Inspector General/Chief Program Specialist
Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Risk Management Branch, Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, CA
10.2003 - 03.2010
- Responsible for various executive functions, including management oversight of the County's Risk Management Inspector General's Office, conducting impartial reviews and investigations related to events resulting in legal actions, financial losses, or other liabilities against the County's employees.
Senior Manager, Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Long Beach, CA
10.2001 - 10.2003
- Provided executive leadership of all aspects of the safety, health, and environmental functions at a large unionized aircraft manufacturing facility and corporate oversight of operations in seven states.
Manager of Environmental, Health, and Safety
ConAgra Grocery Products Company
Irvine, CA
04.2000 - 10.2001
- Provided oversight and direction of safety management, industrial hygiene, workers' compensation claims management, regulatory compliance, and property loss prevention programs for manufacturing and food processing facilities.
Manager, Worker and Fleet Safety Services
The Coca-Cola Company
Atlanta, GA
10.1994 - 03.2000
- Developed, implemented, and monitored worker and fleet safety management programs worldwide.
Regional Manager, Safety, Environmental and Security
Coca-Cola USA Fountain
Ontario, CA
- Provided comprehensive safety, environmental, and security support to the West Coast Region, including manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and service centers.
Manager of Safety and Environmental
H.J. Heinz Company
Terminal Island, CA
05.1990 - 10.1994
- Managed EH&S programs at the Star-Kist Foods Division.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Finance -
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA01.2006
Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene and Certificate in Hazardous Materials Management -
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA01.1994
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Management/Safety Engineering -
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA01.1990
Skills
- Leadership and Problem Solving
- Strategic Planning and Program Development
- Design and Construction Safety
- Communication
- Contractor/Consultant Management
- Project Management
- Industrial Hygiene/Public Health
- Liability and Workers’ Compensation Claims
- Research Safety
- Safety and Loss Control
- Risk Management and Risk Assessment
- Emergency Management and Response
Additionaltrainingandcredentials
- Completed the intensive University of California Office of the President (UCOP) 12-month Executive Leadership Program (CORO program)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Comprehensive Practice #14573
- Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
- Serve as an instructor for a variety of safety, environmental and risk management courses for University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, San Diego and California State University Dominguez Hills (1994 to 2017).
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) certified
- Published author and presenter on safety, risk management, and environmental topics.
Publications
- Risk Management Corrective Action Planning, Professional Safety - Journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers (October 2007). Article was used on cover page for October 2007 issue.
- Practical Steps to Measure and Manage a Liability Third Party Administrator, American Society of Safety Engineers Risk Management Specialty Newsletter (September 2006). Received an award from ASSE for the Best of the Best for CY 2006-07 for technical publications.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Executive Director, Environmental, Health & Safety
University of California Irvine
09.2019 - Current
Director, Environmental, Health & Safety, Risk and Emergency Services
University of California Santa Barbara
12.2015 - 09.2019
Principal Manager (Director level position), Corporate Safety Operations
Southern California Edison
05.2014 - 11.2015
Director, Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Los Angeles Unified School District
04.2010 - 05.2014
Risk Management Inspector General/Chief Program Specialist
Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Risk Management Branch, Los Angeles County
10.2003 - 03.2010
Senior Manager, Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
10.2001 - 10.2003
Manager of Environmental, Health, and Safety
ConAgra Grocery Products Company
04.2000 - 10.2001
Manager, Worker and Fleet Safety Services
The Coca-Cola Company
10.1994 - 03.2000
Manager of Safety and Environmental
H.J. Heinz Company
05.1990 - 10.1994
Regional Manager, Safety, Environmental and Security
Coca-Cola USA Fountain
Master of Business Administration - Finance -
Pepperdine University
Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene and Certificate in Hazardous Materials Management -
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Management/Safety Engineering -
Slippery Rock University