Employee Spotlight: Kenneth JonES

As Vice President of Safety for Industrial Services at Tepa, no two days are ever the same. My day typically begins by reviewing emails and responding to requests from our field teams. Having spent much of my career in the field, I understand the importance of timely support, and I make it a priority to help our employees quickly so they know they have the resources and leadership support they need to succeed. 

From there, my focus shifts to strategic planning, collaboration, and risk management. I work closely with our operational teams to develop plans for a variety of projects, participate in meetings, and ensure potential hazards are identified and mitigated before work begins. Safety is not just about compliance—it's about creating an environment where our employees can perform their work confidently and return home safely each day. 

In addition to overseeing safety operations, I maintain several critical contractor-prequalification and compliance platforms, including ISNetworld, PTC, and NCMS. These systems are essential for demonstrating the strength of our safety programs and are often a prerequisite for bidding on and securing commercial and industrial work outside the government sector. 

Throughout my career, several certifications have played a significant role in my professional growth, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration 500, Board of Certified Safety Professionals certifications, the Certificate for Occupational Safety Managers, and Confined Space Rescue training. These credentials have provided valuable knowledge and helped me stay current with industry best practices. 

What I enjoy most about working for Tepa is the company's culture. Of all the organizations I've worked for, Tepa stands apart. When I joined, the company was much smaller, and everyone wore multiple hats to win work and successfully execute projects. As we've grown, we've worked hard to maintain that close-knit, family-oriented culture while creating opportunities typically associated with much larger organizations. That balance between growth and culture is something truly special. 

For anyone considering a career in safety, my advice is simple: Be an educator before being an enforcer. Today's workforce is challenged by a shortage of experienced and dedicated employees. When you find good people, invest in them. Train them, listen to them, learn about their families, provide opportunities for advancement, and show them that a rewarding professional career path exists for those willing to put in the effort. Building relationships and earning trust will always be more effective than relying solely on rules and discipline. 

Interestingly, a career in safety was never part of my original plan. Early in my career, I worked with laser systems at Fort Polk. After budget cuts affected my position, a friend invited me to join a safety training company that also provided on-site safety services. That opportunity changed the trajectory of my career, and now, more than 15 years later, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. 

For the past 11 years, I've been proud to call Tepa home. I started as a Site Safety and Health Officer, creating PowerPoint presentations with virtually no budget and traveling across the country to train employees wherever they were needed. As the company grew nationally—and eventually globally—I recognized the challenge of maintaining consistent training across a dispersed workforce. By partnering with training providers and implementing online learning platforms supplemented with hands-on instruction, we created a training system that allows employees to easily maintain certifications while enabling rapid distribution of credentials to clients when needed. 

If there's one tool I value above all others, it's the professional relationships I've built over the years. The network of safety professionals, instructors, and industry partners I've developed allows me to find solutions, overcome challenges, and meet critical deadlines. Those relationships have often helped move mountains when the stakes were high. 

When I'm not focused on safety leadership, you'll often find me pursuing another passion—playing guitar and performing live music. Much like safety, music requires preparation, discipline, teamwork, and continuous learning, making it a rewarding creative outlet outside of work.