| UNSUNG HEROES
NCCCO FOUNDATION CHIEF RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS
G
raham Brent, CEO, NCCCO Foundation (the National Commission for the Certification of Crane
Operators) will retire in July this year, after 26-years of service. The Foundation, established in 2018
promotes industry safety through education, research and workforce development. By facilitating access to training and certification by youth, veterans and underserved communities through scholarships and grants. Brent took up the role as CEO of the
Foundation in 2019. Prior to this, he was CEO of NCCCO for four years and executive director for 18 years. (The Foundation was established by NCCCO but is a separate charitable organization with its own Board of Directors and staff). Since his tenure, the Foundation has
achieved industry-wide recognition for its ground-breaking studies on crane operator evaluation and virtual reality; its authoritative accreditation and operator certification reference directories; and its advocacy for the crane and rigging industries in outreach to youth and veterans. The Foundation also hosts the annual Industry Forum on Personnel Qualifications, which last year attracted almost 500 registrations from safety and
health professionals from across the country, a five-fold increase from two years ago. The former CEO also received the NCCCO Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Industry Forum on Personnel Qualifications in Crosby (Houston), Texas, in 2019, presented by Thom Sicklesteel, who took up the position of CEO of NCCCO that year. He said at the time: “The progress
we have made over almost 25 years in improving worksite safety through NCCCO certification is profound and is a tribute to the tireless efforts of our dedicated and committed industry experts that have been with us throughout the journey. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute to this initiative, which we now know conclusively has saved lives and avoided the pain and heartbreak of injury for so many people.” “It’s a great pleasure to award our first NCCCO Lifetime Achievement Award to a person who has been associated with NCCCO from the very beginning,” said then NCCCO president, Kerry Hulse. IUOE (International Union of Operating
Engineers), general president James T. Callahan said, “Graham’s fingerprints are all over the success of NCCCO, much
R Graham Brent
of which is due to his tireless work in bringing all parties, labor and non- labor, to the table with a lot of different viewpoints but all with the same safety goal in mind.” As he steps down from his role Brent said: “The last 26 years have been extraordinary in so many ways. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served on the NCCCO during that time and I look forward to working with the NCCCO and Foundation Boards and staff to achieve a smooth and seamless transition to a new leadership.” Tim Watters, president, NCCCO, said it is currently looking for a successor to Brent and it is looking for a highly self-motivated individual, who is in alignment with, and has demonstrated commitment to, the stated mission of the NCCCO Foundation in advocating for personnel safety and education, and facilitating access by youth, military personnel, and underserved communities to the crane and rigging and associated industries. “While we are sorry to see Brent
R (L-R): Thom Sicklesteel; Brent; James T. Callahan; and Kerry Hulse.
go, we are very proud of the sound footing he has established for the Foundation. We are confident the organization is poised to capitalize on the progress made to date and that it will continue to impact the industry with its safety-driven mission,” added J. Chris Ryan, president, NCCCO Foundation. ●
www.hoistmagazine.com | March 2022 | 19
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