Region VI Safety Professional of the Year

Please join us in congratulating Frank Cruice, who has been named as the 2023 Region VI Safety Professional of the Year by the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP).

Over his 40+ years in the profession, Frank has served in various leadership roles for the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) & other safety organizations. Frank is currently a member of the ASSP Honors & Awards Committee as well as serving as the Delmarva Chapter’s representative to ASSP’s Advisory Group and its Webmaster.

In his 22 years of service with Perdue Farms Frank served as the Senior Director of Safety and Security. He led the efforts in improving the safety culture that resulted in a 91% reduction in OSHA recordable cases, a 67% reduction in Lost Workday cases and a 93% reduction in Days Away, Restricted and Transfer cases. Frank has led numerous process improvement implementations over the years in both Behavioral Based Safety and new software platforms that have strengthened and streamlined the safety programs. Frank’s efforts in championing the Safety Processes and Culture have led to Perdue Farms becoming a leader in the Poultry Industry in safety excellence.

ASSP recognizes one outstanding safety professional from each of the nine geographical regions annually as a Regional Safety Professional of the Year (SPY). With over 38,000 professional members in 80 countries, only nine men and women are recognized annually for this achievement.  The SPY recipients have advanced the American Society of Safety Professionals and the safety profession through their dedication and leadership.  Region VI of ASSP comprises 13 chapters of ASSP and covers South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Delaware.

The ASSP Regional SPY award is an honor acknowledging the dedication and outstanding contributions of a member to a specific Region.  The criteria in which a candidate is judged include:

  1. Demonstrated technical expertise in the broad field of safety and a thorough knowledge of the operational aspects of his/her nominee’s safety employment.
  2. Demonstrated outstanding contributions to the Society, Council, Region, or Membership Community activities, including committee or task force chair, officer, services to members, lecturer at seminars, etc.
  3. Professional contributions to advance the Safety Profession, such as fostering professional development, public/community services, instructor at educational institutions, involvement in codes and legislation, articles written, work with allied groups, etc.
  4. Awards and innovations, including citations, honors, plaques; or new procedures or systems developed.
  5. Leadership in establishment, maintenance, and improvement of technical or Society programs in the organization nominee serves or elsewhere.
  6. Other personal achievements related to safety and health.
  7. Endorsements by superiors and verification by associates, in the form of letters on appropriate stationery of the employer, Membership Community, or Council.