2010 Conference -- Guest Speakers

CHERIE KILLIAN BERRY, was sworn in as North Carolina’s first female labor commissioner on Jan. 6, 2001. She won re-election in 2004 and 2008. She began her third term Jan. 10, 2009. Commissioner Berry, a native of Catawba County, is the former business owner of LGM, Ltd., a company that produces spark plug wires for the automotive industry. Commissioner Berry was born in Newton. She is the daughter of Lena Carrigan Killian and the late Earl Killian. Berry was married to the late Norman H. Berry Jr. The couple has four children.

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William H Knight is the mayor of Greensboro.

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LaMont D. Smith is the Recognition Program Manager for the North Carolina Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHNC).  His duties require him to oversee all of the OSHNC Recognition Programs.  LaMont has been employed with the NC Department of Labor for 16 years.  Prior to becoming the Recognition Program Manager, he worked as an Industrial Hygiene Consultant Supervisor, Industrial Hygiene Consultant, and Health Compliance Officer.  In addition, LaMont has worked for Lexmark International, Inc. as an Industrial Hygienist

Geoffrey Frankel, Construction Manager – Jacobs Field Services: Geoff has worked in construction industry for over 30 years on projects ranging from restoration of Ellis Island, schools, hospitals, prisons office towers and pharmaceutical facilities. Geoff is currently working on a 200,000 sq. ft. bulk vaccine manufacturing facility for Merck & Co. in Durham, NC.

ALLEN McNEELY, was appointed Deputy Commissioner/Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) in July of 2003. He joined NCDOL in the summer of 2001 as the Director of Research and Policy after working with the North Carolina Community College System for 13 years. He has a diverse background in higher education administration and training initiatives. His 30 years of state employment also include service at North Carolina State University (NC State) and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. 

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Jim Goff, Construction Manager – Jacobs Field Services: Jim has 10 years construction experience working as a CM, contractor and owner.  Projects ranging from in house engineering/construction for Wyeth (Sanford, NC) to construction of  a 35kV Con Edison Substation (Coney Island, NY).  Jim is currently working on three building expansions (Utility Center, Warehouse, and Office Building) for Merck & Co. in Durham, NC.

Rick Allred has been a professional entertainer for over 30 years throughout the United States,including: North and South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arizona, Texas and Tennessee

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Thomas J. Regan, Jr. President, PCS Phosphate and PCS Nitrogen,
As President of PCS Phosphate and PCS Nitrogen, Tom Regan brings 40 years of experience to PotashCorp's multi-faceted product lines (fertilizer, feed and industrial).
He joined the company as Vice President, Administration, PCS Phosphate in 1995, following its acquisition of Texasgulf Inc., where he served as Vice President of International Marketing and Raw Material Purchasing. After two years as Executive Vice President of Operations for PCS Phosphate, he became its President in 1999, assuming responsibility for PCS Nitrogen in 2007.

Before joining Texasgulf as Vice President of Phosphate Production, Mr. Regan worked in a variety of positions at PPG Industries in West Virginia, Olin Corporation in Louisiana and Air Products & Chemicals.

After earning a Chemical Engineering degree from Pennsylvania State University, he did graduate work and MBA programs at Marietta College, West Virginia University and McNeese State

Wanda Hughes, Safety Education Specialist, is a highly qualified professional with an extensive background in the public sector. Wanda was born in North Carolina, grew up in the Air Force and then returned to North Carolina when in high school.   She has a diverse educational background with a BS in Child Development/Family relations with a minor in Social Work/Corrections and a Masters in Occupational Safety and Health, both from East Carolina University.  She also has a diverse work background in working as a 911 Telecommunicator for approximately 10 years and then working as a Safety Officer at UNC and Wake County.