Ashley Blain joined EHS as the Training Development and Outreach Coordinator on April 7th.

Ashley brings with her 20+ years’ experience working in training, development, and recruitment and most recently as the Training and Development Manager at a nonprofit health and human services organization. Ashley holds a B.A. in Public and Professional Communications and an M.S. in Organizational Management. She has experience in marketing, social media, and advanced training in eLearning development. We look forward to her valuable contributions to the department as we continue to support the safety of the University community through an effective EHS training and outreach program.

 

Sam Alyeldin joined us on Friday, April 21st as our new Injury and Illness Prevention Program Specialist. This is a new but long-awaited position to establish an Injury and Illness Prevention Program for UConn that will help us focus and prioritize our efforts to minimize worker injury.

Sam has over 8 years’ experience in injury prevention and health and safety management for clients in several fast-paced high-risk facilities.  He has experience in safety metrics collection and evaluation, accident investigation, ergonomic assessment, and training program development.  He holds a B.S. in Athletic Training, a B.A. in Sociology, and an M.S. in Exercise Science.  We are very happy to have him on board and look forward to his valuable contributions to the EHS team and the work of University Safety.

The Occupational Health and Safety section welcomed new staff in 2022.  On June 3rd James Blum joined the team as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist 2.  His areas of responsibility include: Asbestos and Regulated Building Materials, Indoor Air Quality/Mold, Workplace Safety Inspections and Safety/Awareness Training.  Todd Gianetti started on December 2nd as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist 1.  Todd’s areas of responsibility include: Workplace Safety Inspections, Safety/Awareness Training and Industrial Hygiene Surveys and Assessments.

We are very happy to have them on board and look forward to their valuable contributions to the EHS team and the work of the department.  

July 2022 saw the retirement of three longtime EHS staff members.  Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Dennis Demers, Program Support Specialist Diane Bolduc and EHS Director Terri Dominguez. Dennis joined the department in 2002 conducting safety inspections and annual respirator fit testing.  Diane has been with the department since 2004 supporting our training and outreach programs and conducting ergonomic assessments.  Terri began her career at UConn in 1992 when she was hired as the Occupational Health and Safety Manager.  She held this position until 2010 when she was appointed as the Manager of Occupational Health and Safety and EHS Administrative Services.  In 2015 Terri was appointed as the Interim Director of Environmental Health and Safety, becoming permanent in 2016.  We thank them for their steadfast dedication and camaraderie over the years and wish them all the best in their retirement.

Thankfully, they were all amenable to staying on beyond their official retirement date to help us with the transition.