Page 10 - Texas

Damage Prevention Council of Texas
Jennifer Pratt
Program Manager
Damage Prevention Council of Texas
The Annual Damage Prevention Council of Texas awards recognize individuals’ outstanding achievements and contributions to damage prevention. The Regional Champion Awards
honor those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to preventing damage to underground facilities in their respective regions. Additionally, the Andy Hoel Excellence in Damage Prevention Award is bestowed upon an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on the industry through their dedication to safety.
Prevention Council of Texas, starting
as a Vice President and DPC champion and now serving as the Rio Grande Valley chapter president. His leadership has helped transform the valley from having one of the highest incident rates per thousand to one of the lowest. This remarkable improvement is a direct result of Greg’s tireless dedication to safety and changing the safety culture in the region. Those who work with Greg quickly recognize his passion
and expertise. Conversations with
him often shift mindsets from “We’ve always done it this way” to “You’re right, Greg. Let’s ensure it’s done safely”. His colleagues know that if they ever need answers or guidance, Greg is always available, day or night, to provide the support necessary to ensure safety
at any work site. Greg Hernandez’s unwavering commitment to safety and his leadership in the field has made him an invaluable asset to the Rio Grande Valley.
Rivas and his team provided a training presentation during a Southeast
Texas Chapter meeting, and the consensus from the attendees was an acknowledgment of this high-quality presentation, which has led to the inclusion of Mr. Rivas and his team as guest speakers during our upcoming Excavation Safety Day event in Pasadena. Mr. Rivas has set in motion the obligation to promote and recognize high-achieving excellence in damage prevention by contractors and other stakeholders within the industry.
Northwest Region Champion – Jason Guzman, Atmos Energy
The Northwest Regional Champion is Jason Guzman, Compliance Supervisor for Atmos Energy WestTex. With over 15 years of service at Atmos, Jason has shown a deep passion for protecting underground infrastructure and promoting Damage Prevention. His commitment to safety and industry excellence is evident in his leadership and active participation in the Damage Prevention Council (DPC), where he has served three terms as Vice President in one of the state’s largest chapters.
Jason has also contributed to planning Excavation Safety Days, hosted numerous DPC meetings, and led six training sessions for subcontractors and excavators, ensuring safety
and compliance are prioritized. His expertise, passion, and dedication make him an invaluable asset to Atmos Energy, Texas811, and the DPC community.
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Annual Awards
Southeast Region Champion – Greg Hernandez, Texas Gas Service
Greg Hernandez has dedicated his life to ensuring safety, transitioning from an ergonomics manager to pursuing
a degree in electrical engineering. With over 15 years of experience as a lead technician and trainer at a utility locating firm, he has trained dozens of technicians and led a team of 22 in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, contributing to the restoration efforts in Texas. Greg began his journey with Texas Gas Service as a technician.
His commitment to safety and quality quickly promoted him to Field Tech Specialist in the Quality Assurance Department. Since 2020, Greg has been a critical figure in the Damage
Southwest Regional Champion – John Rivas, SER Construction
John Rivas advocates for the DPC
of Texas by promoting stakeholder education and communication.
He continues to build working relationships with our members and local organizations that support our damage prevention efforts. His damage prevention and risk management initiatives have contributed to the recognition of SER Construction as one of Texas’ leading industry companies
in damage prevention by local utility and pipeline operators. Recently, Mr.
8 • Texas811 2024, Issue 4