Region News
Celebrating organizations & individuals across Region II that are leading the way in safety excellence.
These members demonstrate strong safety cultures, employee engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement through the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
Congrats on VPP Star!
Congratulations to the workers and management team of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albany Field Office for achieving VPP Star status!
On August 5, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albany Field Office located at the Troy Lock and Dam in Troy, New York celebrated their recent approval as a VPP Star Site.
Regional Administrator Richard Mendelson of OSHA’s New York City Region presented the VPP Star plaque and Area Director Rita Young of OSHA’s Albany Area Office presented the VPP Star flag to site personnel. Colonel Eric Swenson (Commander, USACE New York District), Randall Hintz (Chief, USACE Operations Division), and Michael Wright (Chief, USACE Albany Field Office) made remarks during the event.
Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello also attended the event and made congratulatory remarks for the site’s accomplishment in workplace safety. After the VPP Star flag raising, personnel working at the site were presented with Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medals.
The Albany Field Office has two primary missions. One mission is the maintenance of the Federal Hudson River and Lake Champlain Navigation Channel. This includes dredging, drift collection, and physical asset management from the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the northern section of Lake Champlain. The other mission at the site is the operations and maintenance of the Troy Lock & Dam, which serves as the gateway lock to the Erie and Champlain canals and is the only federal lock on the Hudson River.
The facility sits on approximately five (5) acres and is comprised of three (3) main buildings, and 10 support buildings. The Lock House was constructed in 1915 and houses the electrical equipment that operates the navigation lock.
30 YEARS OF SAFETY EXCELLENCE
Thirty years of commitment to workplace safety is an achievement worth celebrating. On June 3, OSHA Regional Administrator Rich Mendelson spoke at the Tropicana Brands facility in Jersey City, New Jersey, to recognize the site's 30 years of participation in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs.
Welcome New SGES!
Congratulations to Brad Saddler of OxyChem, Nicholas Getty, SGE, CHST, CUSP of Mollenberg-Betz, Inc., and Zane Coles of Reworld Waste for completing the April 7-9, 2026 Special Government Employee (SGE) Class in Wilton, New York!
Thanks to SGEs Richard Finnegan and Sarah Ritter-Hamilton of Veolia | North America for serving as instructors during the class, sharing their SGE experiences with the new applicants.
OSHA Area Director Rita Young of the Albany Area Office administered the SGE oath of office on the final day. A special thanks to Suzanne Dewey,SMP, CHST, SGE of D.A. Collins Family of Companies for hosting the class in the company's training facility.
Suzanne became a Special Government Employee (SGE) for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) in 2023. In 2025, 17 SGEs filled 21 VPP team member positions on VPP evaluation teams in the OSHA New York City Region. Suzanne participated on three OSHA New York City Region VPP evaluation teams during 2025, which exceeded the total number of team member assignments performed by any of the other 16 SGEs. (Two of the 17 SGEs participated on two OSHA New York City Region VPP evaluation teams in 2025.)
Suzanne has over 18 years of experience in safety and health, specializing in the Construction sector. Suzanne has worked in the safety department of D.A. Collins for the past 11 years and she is currently the company’s Operations Safety Manager. Suzanne holds professional safety certifications of Safety Management Professional (SMP) and Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).
Suzanne is currently the sitting Chair of the New York State Associated General Contractors (NYSAGC) Highway Safety Committee. Work zone traffic control is a particular focus for Suzanne. The risks in work zones are real and often beyond the worker’s control, which strengthens her commitment to advocate for stronger protections, systemic hazard controls, and meaningful worker involvement. “My passion for safety is rooted in the people I serve, with principles aligned with the VPP philosophy. My priority is simple: No one gets hurt – period!”
2026 New York City Region
SGE of the Year
Ms. Suzanne Dewey has been selected as the OSHA New York City Region 2026 Special Government Employee of the Year.