Leadership

Ray Ferrara, CFP, BCSP Board of Directors’ Public Director, is Chairman and CEO of ProVise Management Group, LLC, a full-service financial planning firm which is a Registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He is involved with many professional and not-for-profit organizations including PMG Marketing Group, American Financial Solutions, and Money Transfer Systems. Mr. Ferrara was previously the Chair of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standard, Inc. and is a Registered Principal with FINRA. Mr. Ferrara has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Maryland.

Mr. Militello currently serves as executive-level EHS Director for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 737 Program, Delivery Operations, and Quality.  In that role, Mr. Militello is responsible for workplace safety and environmental compliance and performance, including 737 MAX return to delivery, commercial flight lines, and paint and storage operations. Mr. Militello recently completed a 25-year career civil servant most recently serving as the Director, Occupational Safety and Health, and strategic advisor on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy.  Mr. Militello was also the Functional Community Leader for over 1,200 safety and occupational health professionals.  Mr. Militello’s career began in 1995 with Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), for whom he worked from 1995 until 2003 as a fire protection engineer in regional offices in Charleston, SC, Washington, DC, and Naples, Italy.

Mr. Militello holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Master of Public Administration from American University. He is a Director of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Board of Directors and the Vice-Chair of the BCSP Foundation Board of Directors.  Mr. Militello is a licensed Professional Engineer, Certified Safety Professional, and Certified Quality Engineer.

Joaquin M. Diaz, CSP, OHST, CHST is the Environmental, Health, and Safety Director for Skanska USA Building in Oregon. He has over 21 years of occupational safety and health management experience. Diaz’s work experience includes 16 years in a leadership position for three top-150 ENR contractors. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his career, Diaz has been actively involved in the professional development, mentoring, and training of safety professionals, serving as Past President of the Hawaii ASSP Chapter, Board Chair of the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, a governor appointed position, Past President of the Hawaii AIHA Chapter, and as an active member of the national AGC Safety and Health committees. Diaz has two bachelor’s degrees from different universities, a Master in Management, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health.

Travis Kruse is the Senior Director of Safety Strategy and Solutions for W.W. Grainger Incorporated, an American Fortune 500 industrial supply company for industrial-grade supplies and safety products. Dr. Kruse has over 22 years of experience in consulting, general industry and sales leadership roles. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Murray State University Occupational Safety and Health (ANSAC/ABET) Advisory Council, Member of Oregon State University Corporate Partners Program, Semiconductor Environmental, Safety & Health Association (SESHA) Board Member, and an authorized instructor for the OSHA Training Institute (OTI). He is also the 2010 recipient of ASSE Doctoral Fellowship, Oregon State University. Dr. Kruse has a PhD in Public Health, Environmental, Health and Safety from Oregon State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety from Murray State University.

Robert G. Mayes, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Southern Education Group, the parent company of Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Waldorf University. Mayes has more than 25 years of experience in the distance learning industry. In this role he provides strategy and leadership support to both institutions which serve over 33,000 students. He served as President of Columbia Southern University from 2005 – 2018.  Safety has been at the core of CSU’s academic focus since the very beginning.  Founded in 1993 to serve the safety industry, CSU’s occupational safety and health degree programs have set the foundation for online safety education.  Mr. Mayes serves on several boards including, the Alabama Association of Private Colleges and Schools, Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University Board of Trustees. He has a Master of Business Administration from Capella University and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University.

Shawna is currently the VP of Safety at Fraser Engineering Co., Inc. She is an experienced Safety Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry. Skilled in Women-Owned Business, Family Business, Construction Safety, Public Speaking, and Piping. Strong operations professional with a Master’s degree focused on Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University.