Patrick True
Spokane,WA
Summary
Dynamic Corporate Safety and Training Director with a proven track record at Garco Construction, excelling in program development and risk assessment. Expert in fostering a safety culture, achieving zero citations during inspections, and enhancing training satisfaction by 30%. Adept at leadership development and technical training, driving compliance across multi-jurisdictional projects. Highly skilled in leading training and development initiatives, with a strong background in designing and implementing effective training strategies that enhance employee performance and foster organizational growth. Possess robust knowledge of adult learning theories and instructional design models. Demonstrated success in improving training processes and materials, which resulted in increased efficiency and productivity within previous roles. Known for the ability to leverage technology for innovative learning solutions and drive continuous improvement in training programs.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Corporate Safety and Training Director
Garco Construction
08.2018 - 10.2025
- Developed and executed corporate and site-specific health and safety training and operation programs that contributed to Garco’s longevity of being in ENR’s top 400 Contractors. These programs facilitated a high level of operations within multi-jurisdictional agencies (WA State, OSHA, MSHA, USACE, NAVFAC, BOR, DOT, and DOE) across nine states.
- Led a team of eight safety professionals, one risk manager, and five joint venture safety professionals in conducting safety compliance assessments for over 160 multi-year projects, resulting in zero citations or fines during 38 consecutive Federal and State OSHA inspections over six years.
- Managed all aspects of workers’ compensation claims at a corporate level and liaised with WA State L&I and AGC of Washington Retro Program Managers, reducing the company EMR from 1.00 (due to returning to the state program from self-insured) to 0.58 within two years after a three-year mandatory rate freeze.
- Program manager and primary instructor for over 20 construction safety-based training programs, achieving a high satisfaction rate among participants, with 95% reporting an increased understanding of health and safety practices in field and classroom environments. (List of programs available on request.)
- Implemented a feedback loop with contractors to refine safety training programs, leading to a 30% increase in participant satisfaction ratings and better alignment of training content with real-world challenges.
Project Safety Manager
Hoffman Construction of WA
02.2017 - 06.2018
- Project: GC & Mechanical Safety Manager for Boeing 777X Composite Wing Center in Everett, WA (estimated $1B+) from 2/2017 to 4/2017.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to refine safety protocols, ensuring adherence to industry standards; enhanced safety measures were utilized by over 400 employees, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Project: GC Safety Manager for Sound Transit Roosevelt Station - N150 (Underground Sub-Station in North Seattle, WA) from 5/2017 to 6/2018.
- Spearheaded safety management for the $152.5M Sound Transit Roosevelt Station project, coordinating efforts across 11 subcontractors comprised of 14 trades while maintaining an average workforce of 120+ personnel on-site daily, fostering an environment where safety was prioritized across all project activities.
- Established clear safety objectives aligned with project milestones, tracking performance against these goals; led to a marked increase in safety compliance rates among 120+ on-site workers throughout the project lifecycle, resulting in zero citations or finds from the WA Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
- Executed risk assessments that identified and prioritized safety concerns; these assessments informed safety training content, ensuring that 100% of site personnel received targeted safety education based on actual project risks.
Field Safety Manager, Special Projects Superintendent/Project Manager
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
01.2014 - 12.2016
- Co-led the development and enforcement of safety policies and procedures for the 5th largest Sheet Metal shop and 12th largest Mechanical Contractor in the nation (at the time), achieving a 40% reduction in workplace incidents within the first 12 months.
- Collaborated closely with project managers and owner representatives to integrate safety measures into project planning, ensuring that all safety regulations were met before project initiation; contributed to successful project completions with zero OSHA or WA DOSH safety citations or fines.
- Coordinated and facilitated safety training sessions predominantly on-site, reaching a diverse workforce of over 500 employees in multiple States, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and corporate safety programs, and increasing hazard awareness by an estimated 50%.
- As Project Manager or Superintendent, directed a team to manage cost tracking, redline plans, schedule of values, invoicing, lead project meetings, and liaise with the federal government and subcontractors.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Department - Assistant and then Primary Program Manager
US Army
06.1998 - 09.2011
- 10/2008-09/2011 US Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Department - As the Assistant and then Primary Program Manager, I ensured all six technical professional development courses met both operational (field) and U.S. TRADOC commands' requirements. Course content was relevant and current, was taught in an approved manner while assessing and promoting instructor development. As the Senior Instructor/Writer, responsible for developing and instructing complex training material for pre-deployment soldiers to learn trends in their assigned combat theater.
- 02/2005-10/2008 - Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team Leader/CBRN NCOIC (Highest Position)
- 06/1998 – 01/2005 – Infantryman (Squad Leader, Highest Position)
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA04.2025
Master of Science - Occupational Safety & Health
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL06.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Management
City University of Seattle
Seattle, WA03.2013
Skills
- Technical training
- Leadership development
- Adult learning theory
- Safety and compliance inspections
- Risk assessment
- Program development
- Safety culture development
- Occupational safety instruction
Certification
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), 06/20, CSP-37784
- Safety Management Professional (SMP), 06/17, SMP-626
- Certified Industrial Trainer (CIT), 10/21, CIT-14157
- First Aid/CPR/AED Level III Instructor, 02/23
- MSHA 30 CFR Part 48 Surface Instructor, 04/23, M87441546
- Lift Director, Instructor and Evaluator, 11/23
- Rigging and Signaling for Cranes Instructor and Evaluator, 12/20
- Certified Instructor EM385 Competent Person (7935 – Fall Protection), 03/20 & 03/24, 6935504354
- Construction Safety and Health Specialist, 05/13
- Master Certificate in Applied Project Management, 10/11
- 80-hour Hazardous Waste Worker, 02/13
- 8-hour HAZWOPER Annual Refresher, 2014 to Present
- Asbestos Supervisor 40-hour Course, 02/16
- Competent Person Training Excavation, Trenching and Shoring, 11/19
- Scaffolding 2-Day Erector (Supported), 02/20
- Scaffolding 2-Day Erector Trainer Certification, 05/23
Affiliations
Volunteer, Society of Military Engineers (SAME) - Spokane Post, Education and Mentorship Board Member (2019 - Present)
Timeline
Corporate Safety and Training Director
Garco Construction
08.2018 - 10.2025
Project Safety Manager
Hoffman Construction of WA
02.2017 - 06.2018
Field Safety Manager, Special Projects Superintendent/Project Manager
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
01.2014 - 12.2016
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Department - Assistant and then Primary Program Manager
US Army
06.1998 - 09.2011
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Liberty University
Master of Science - Occupational Safety & Health
Columbia Southern University
Bachelor of Arts - Management
City University of Seattle