Ron Snyder marks four decades of service with honors at Governor’s Safety Conference
When Ron Snyder taught his first safety training class, Richard Nixon was president and the Internet was just a laboratory experiment. Nearly four decades later, Snyder’s colleagues have honored him with the highest honor in Iowa safety and environmental circles.
Snyder received the annual Gary Hawk Award at the 37th annual Iowa Governor’s Safety Conference & Expo in Des Moines, Nov. 6. The award has been given since 1980 by the Occupational Safety & Health Advisory Council to a single individual in environmental safety, health and training roles.
In comments accompanying the award, council leaders noted that Snyder “stands as a symbol for the very award he has received” and saluted his many years of service.
“Those who are acquainted with Ron know him as an incredibly dynamic, knowledgeable and skilled educator….During his 40-plus years of service, Ron has worked diligently with governments, agencies, associations, unions and business to improve occupational safety and health,” said John Izzolena of the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council.
Snyder mused on his many experiences and duties as he contemplated the Gary Hawk Award.
“I have been teaching and training in health and safety since 1970 and at Kirkwood for about 17 years. That training has taken me to every state but Hawaii. I have also been in Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada to name a few countries where I have conducted classes.
When asked how many people he thinks he has trained in those years, Ron Snyder pauses, chuckles and pauses again.
“Wow. Thousands and thousands and thousands. I’m not sure how I would start counting that,” he replies.