Episode 303: Bernie Torrance, the International Director of the La Red Business Network and Founder of Global Priority Solutions, joined us to talk about values-based leadership and the roundtable model that transformed prisons, courts, and workplaces across Latin America and the U.S., cutting violence and turnover dramatically.
Bernie explains how short, weekly roundtables build trust, create measurable behavior change with simple action steps, and deliver real business results — including a documented $1 million improvement in one year.
Check out some of the organizations that Bernie mentioned in the interview:
We’re excited about this expo as some of our favorite speakers will be leading breakout sessions such as Amazon best-selling author Tommie Jo Brode, Ruth Bowdish, our very own Nicholas Coia and yours truly. To learn more about this event, see the event flyer or listen to a podcast interview we did with the event coordinators.
Hope to see you there!
Mike
About NEO Safety Expo The NEO Safety Expo, hosted by On Demand Occupational Medicine, continues the long-standing tradition of the BWC Fall Safety Conference. Open to all industries, the Expo provides training, resources, and connections to foster safer, healthier workplaces across Northeast Ohio.
The Hall of Honor recognizes individuals who have dedicated 10 or more years of service to the Portage County Safety Council Steering Committee and/or those whose exceptional contributions have had a lasting impact on the Council’s mission and success.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025,, we were proud to induct six outstanding individuals into the Hall of Honor. Their leadership, commitment, and hard work have helped shape the program into what it is today—and without them, our progress and achievements would not have been possible.
Inductee #1 – Bonnie Wilson: Bonnie served as the manager of the Portage County Safety Council from 2006 to 2012, guiding the program through a pivotal period in its history.
In 2005, when operational challenges threatened the future of the Council, Bonnie stepped in and secured a new home for the program at Family & Community Services—ensuring its survival and continued impact. Before her departure, she also mentored and prepared a successor, laying the foundation for long-term stability and growth.
Quite simply, without Bonnie’s leadership and foresight, the Portage County Safety Council might not exist today.
Inductee #2 – Renee Onesti: Renee has been a dedicated member of the Portage County Safety Council Steering Committee since 2009, playing a vital role in the Council’s growth and success for over a decade.
Her contributions have been key to the success of numerous annual safety programs, helping the Council earn multiple awards and nominations at both the state and county levels. Renee also played an integral role in planning and executing the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Portage County Workplace Safety & Health Expos—award-winning events that set a high standard for excellence.
As Steering Committee Chair for two years, Renee helped elevate the Council to new heights. In 2024, her outstanding efforts—extending beyond both the Safety Council and Kent Elastomer Products—earned her the very first Safety Champion Award.
Renee’s ongoing support, leadership, and commitment have been instrumental in shaping what the Portage County Safety Council is today.
Inductee #3 – Mike Thompson: Mike has served as the manager of the Portage County Safety Council since late 2012, leading the program with vision, energy, and a deep commitment to community well-being.
During his tenure, the Council has hosted nearly 200 training events and received multiple honors, including five Safety Council of the Year awards or nominations and two Celebrate Portage Awards for Best Public Health Initiative.
Mike’s passion for collaboration has driven the creation of five public service awareness campaigns, three county-wide Workplace Safety & Health Expos, a free workplace wellness publication, and a variety of impactful special events.
He is also the producer and co-host of the Portage County Safety Council Podcast, which boasts nearly 300 episodes and over 80 hours of original workplace safety and health content. The podcast has reached listeners in more than 50 countries around the world.
Debbie’s son Che O’Connell received the honor of her behalf.Debbie’s son Che O’Connell received the honor on her behalf.
Inductee #4 – Debbie O’Connell: Debbie dedicated a decade of service to the Portage County Safety Council’s Steering Committee, serving from 2013 to 2023.
A true advocate for workplace safety, Debbie played a key role in shaping much of our annual programming—efforts that contributed to five Safety Council of the Year nominations. She also led the planning and execution of the Exhibit Hall for the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Portage County Workplace Safety & Health Expos.
From July 2018 to June 2023, Debbie served as Steering Committee Chair, guiding the Council through one of its most challenging periods—the COVID-19 pandemic—with steady leadership and unwavering commitment.
Her impact on the Portage County Safety Council is immeasurable. In recognition of her exceptional service, Debbie received the Outstanding Leadership Award in 2023.
Inductee #5 – Shelly Owen: Shelly Owen has been a dedicated member of the Portage County Safety Council Steering Committee since 2013. Throughout her years of service, Shelly has played a vital role in shaping the Council’s annual safety programming and expanding training opportunities for members, including First Aid, CPR, and AED certification courses.
Known for her reliability and commitment, Shelly was a consistent presence at events, ensuring that each monthly meeting ran smoothly and effectively. She also made significant contributions to the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Portage County Workplace Safety & Health Expos, where she helped coordinate the Exhibit Hall and served as the enthusiastic emcee of the fan-favorite Safety Feud challenge.
Since July 2023, Shelly served as Steering Committee Chair, continuing her strong leadership and steadfast dedication to the Council’s mission.
Inductee #6 – Nicholas Coia: Nicholas Coia has been an active and invaluable member of the Portage County Safety Council Steering Committee since 2013. Over the years, Nic has played a key role in shaping the Council’s annual safety programming—recruiting speakers, developing impactful training initiatives, and contributing to several award-winning efforts at both the state and county levels.
He was also a major contributor to the success of the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Portage County Workplace Safety & Health Expos, assisting with event planning and logistics. In addition to presenting at numerous Council meetings, Nic has led multiple OSHA 10 training courses, equipping hundreds of members with essential safety knowledge.
Beyond his work on the committee, Nic serves as co-host of the Portage County Safety Council Podcast, which has published nearly 300 episodes and over 80 hours of original workplace safety and health content—reaching listeners in more than 50 countries around the world.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We are thankful for the incredible impact made by our six Hall of Honor inductees. Each of them has shown remarkable dedication—whether through years of service on the Steering Committee or through exceptional contributions that have strengthened the mission of the Portage County Safety Council.
Their leadership, passion, and commitment have helped shape this program into what it is today. On behalf of the entire Council and the community we serve—thank you for your service, your vision, and your lasting legacy.
We’re excited to announce our 2025 Portage County Safety Award Winners!
We’ll be celebrating and honoring our winners at our next luncheon on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the Ravenna Elks. Click here to register to attend.
2025 Safety Champion – Nate Walden, SHES Sr Manager, Synthomer Inc.
Nate has improved safety within Snythomer and has improved communication with Mogadore Fire, PC Hazmat Team and has become a member of the PC LEPC. While on the LEPC, Nate has shared his knowledge on chemicals, preparedness, emergency planning and selecting chemical monitoring and PPE. Nate and Snythomer have hosted an exercise to build preparedness within the community and emergency response groups. Nate understands the hazards and risks involved within Synthomer and how it could impact the community of Mogadore and Portage and Summit counties in general. He works daily to educate his co-workers to be vigilant and mindful in their duties to prevent spills or worse.
2025 Safety Improvement Award – Dawn Collins, Director, Portage County Recycling & Solid Waste Management District.
Over the past year, Director Dawn Collins has spent significant time rebuilding the Public Employee Risk Reduction Program at the PC Solid Waste Management District. Working alongside industrial safety consultant, Nic Coia, Dawn formulated committees with her employees to oversee the written policies and procedures to ensure buy-in with staff and to capture the actual processes related to work in the district and how to more safely conduct activities. In addition to CPR and First Aid, Dawn conducted training for all staff on new policies and precures, updated all PPE, and was awarded a safety grant to purchase a lift truck versus the use of ladders. She audited each section of her office and developed over a dozen written programs. This drastic shift in safety at the PCSWMD has significantly improved operations and the safety of staff district wide.
2025 Safety Innovation Award – Just 10 Minutes Program, Parker Hannifin Ravenna Plant.
The Just Ten Minutes program was developed to enhance Parker Hannifin’s new hire safety training. The “Just Ten Minutes” program is a daily safety conversation that a new team member has with a representative from EHS, Operations, and Engineering team (or anyone else who may volunteer to lead a Just Ten Minutes session with all new team members). Just Ten Minutes includes daily topics in Safety as a Value, Hazard Recognition, Choices and Behaviors, and Empowerment.
After a team member’s new hire orientation their first day, they must attend 20 “Just Ten Minutes” sessions in their Safety Dojo, which equates to 1 per shift for their first 20 days. New team members meet for Just Ten Minutes in the Safety Dojo at 7:45 am, 8:15 am, or 4:15 pm each day, depending on the shift they work.
The program is designed to train new team members on the behavioral side of safety, which has significantly helped them improve our safety culture. It also gives new team members a chance to meet with other new team members and leaders from different functions and areas and gives them a safe space to bring up anything of concern during that first month of employment.
Episode 301: Martin Franchi & Shelly Meadows, Co-Founders of Navigation Consulting & Training, joined us to talk about the importance of mental health and psychological safety at work. They will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Episode 300: Merle Heckman, a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, joined us to talk about the importance of relationships when it comes to leadership & safety. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Episode 299: Tracy LeMaire, Mobility Safety Program Manager at the National Safety Council, joined us to talk about the importance of transportation safety at work. She will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
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