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Assistant Secretary Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., presenting SGE award to Larry Shaffer
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The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) National Special Government Employee
(SGE) Award recognizes an SGE who epitomizes and exhibits exceptional support,
time, effort, and action in VPP, setting him/her apart from other SGEs. The
person selected is actively involved in volunteer activities that benefit the
VPP and its stakeholders, and demonstrates outstanding commitment to the
partnership ideals of the VPP. The first annual SGE of the Year was awarded by
Assistant Secretary Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. at the 2005 National Conference of the
Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA). The award will
be given on an annual basis.
Winner: Larry Shaffer, International Paper
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Larry Shaffer is the VPP Coordinator for International Paper, Franklin,
Virginia. Larry has been an active Special Government Employee (SGE) since 2002,
assisting in more 10 VPP onsite evaluations.
Larry has assisted National and Regional OSHA staff with the SGE workshop
session at the National VPPPA Conference in August 2007; he assisted in the SGE
training class in Virginia Beach May 2007 and two application workshops for the
Region during 2007. Also, Larry spoke on the benefits of VPP to a class of OSHA
compliance officers in Washington, DC and also presented at a Virginia OSH
conference.
Larry received the "2008 Mentor of the Year" for Virginia for his successful
efforts in mentoring Coors Shenandoah Brewery and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals who
recently reentered the Virginia VPP. Additionally, Larry mentored the Dept. of
Defense Yorktown Weapons Depot, Norfolk Naval Base unions. He was very
instrumental in attaining the support of the Regional Metal Trades Council and
local unions at the Norfolk Naval Base. Furthermore, Larry set up a VPP
information booth and answered employee’s questions at Wyeth’s Safety Day in May
2007 (there are over 1,100 employees at the site).
Recently, Larry traveled with OSHA to Germany to serve as the first SGE to
participate on VPP team evaluations in Europe. The Region III VPP team was
invited by the Dept. of Defense to visit Wiesbaden and Stuttgart. These
evaluations took place at National Security Agency (NSA) Department of Defense
worksites. Larry’s VPP experience knowledge of VPP concepts and requirements was
a key factor in the success of the OSHA team evaluations. Implemented VPP safety
and health management systems are ensuring American employees are protected on
the job while they support and safeguard our security interests, here and
throughout the world. The commitment of Larry and his company, International
Paper in supporting VPP at NSA worksites has interested and impressed the senior
leadership of the Defense Department. The National Security Agency Wiesbaden and
Stuttgart facilities were strongly impressed by Larry’s professionalism,
knowledge and commitment to VPP. The Department’s recognition and the value of
VPP is now strengthen and reinforced.
Larry has served on the Region III VPPPA Board of Directors for over 4 years --
two years as Treasurer and now as Vice-Chairperson. His commitment and
dependability are greatly counted on by the VPPPA Board and OSHA. He is
frequently sought out as spokesman and an Ambassador for the VPP Program.
| FINALISTS: |
Jack Popp, Hasbro
Nominated by Region I
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Diane Palmer, General Electric
Nominated by Region II
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Rick Thacker, Trinity Rail
Nominated by Region IV
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Jack Burton, General Electric
Nominated by Region V
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Don Schwertner, Valero
Nominated by Region VI
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Ernie Nold, Weyerhaeuser
Nominated by Region VII
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Robert Finnie, MillerCoors
Nominated by Region VIII
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Robert Hafner, Rohm & Haas
Nominated by Region IX
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