Please join us in congratulating Matthew Koss, who has been named as the 2025 Region VI Safety Professional of the Year by the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP).
With over 15 years experience in safety management, Matt is motivated to foster a thriving safety culture of organizational learning and continual improvement. He is an active member of the Chesapeake Chapter and currently serves in the role of 1st Vice President, volunteering to chair Chesapeake Chapter’s 2024 PDC.
Matt has earned Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) and Safety Management Specialist (SMS) credentials. To share his knowledge, expertise, and professional insight with others, Matt leads professional education sessions and writes articles for professional journals concerning occupational safety, health and the environment. He is also an Authorized OSHA-Outreach Trainer and American Heart Association-Certified First Aid/CPR/AED instructor.
His leadership has led Engineering Consulting Services to a Total Recordable Incidence Rate of the organization to 0.94 for the first time in the company’s 37-year history.
Join us again in congratulating Matthew on this honor of being our 2025 SPY.
Learn more about the criteria used in nominating and determining each year’s Safety Professional of the Year. Go to region6.assp.org/spy for more information and the list of all current and past award recipients.
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:
- Demonstrated technical expertise in the broad field of safety and a thorough knowledge of the operational aspects of his/her nominee’s safety employment.
- 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.
- 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.
- Awards and innovations, including citations, honors, plaques; or new procedures or systems developed.
- Leadership in establishment, maintenance, and improvement of technical or Society programs in the organization nominee serves or elsewhere.
- Other personal achievements related to safety and health.
- Endorsements by superiors and verification by associates, in the form of letters on appropriate stationery of the employer, Membership Community, or Council.