SwOhio ASSP Chapter Meeting – My Safety Journey to Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). Presented by Kirk Smith

My Safety Journey to Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). Presented by Kirk Smith, MS, CSP

Principal, Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist – Alkermes, Inc.

Kirk started his EHS career in the U.S. Coast Guard on an ice breaking ship on Lake Michigan and has spent the last 20 plus years in a variety of EHS leadership roles in six different industries and four multi-national organizations. Beginning as a Lab Pack Chemist with an environmental management company in Boston, Kirk progressed through a rotation of EHS roles in logistics with UPS and the alcohol industry with Jim Beam. Building on a bachelor’s degree in management, he then attained a master’s degree in Safety, Security and Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University and became a Certified Safety Professional three years later. Kirk then spent time in the technology industry as a Corporate Safety Manager for an LED lighting company before transitioning to the heavy manufacturing industry where he served as a Regional Health, Safety & Environmental Manager – Americas. Kirk eventually found his way home in the pharmaceutical industry and is currently a Principal, Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist at Alkermes in Wilmington, Ohio. Over the past year he has found his passion and purpose in Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) and has been integrating HOP principals and learning tools into his organization ever since. Kirk is an avid outdoorsman, loves spending time with his family outdoors, traveling, and skiing in the winter months. Kirk lives with his wife Paula in Morrow, Ohio where together they are raising two children who share their love for the outdoors on their small, seven-acre hobby farm.