2024 Safety Professional of the Year Award

Don Lile, our Safety Director, was recognized as the 2024 EMCOR Safety Professional of the Year. Don’s work has helped completely revamp our safety program, which is built on an organization-wide commitment to best practices. Each year, one individual across all of EMCOR Group is given this award for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to safety.

In his time at MSI, Don has fostered a safety culture that can be seen at every level of the company. Don frequently conducts site visits and walkthroughs with office and field leadership, training them on how to complete robust field inspections. He also regularly engages with site employees to help ensure work is being executed safely and that lessons from their training are being implemented. These efforts have helped our employees develop a deep buy-in and sense of ownership over workplace safety.

For the past two years, Don has focused on department manager accountability, helping managers clearly understand their safety responsibilities and how to execute our safety program. He meets with managers routinely, discussing topics such as MSI’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program, incident management, and the company’s Mentorship Program. The ultimate goal is to give managers the confidence to run the safety program themselves, with Don as an advisor and resource.

One of Don’s most significant accomplishments is his outstanding work helping manage new acquisitions. In recent years, MSI has acquired three new companies, each with its own legacy culture, which underwent significant leadership changes. Don has worked closely with David Goerke, our President, to provide critical safety expertise throughout the transition process and help integrate these companies into EMCOR’s safety procedures. 

Don’s dedication has helped MSI substantially improve our safety program, which is reflected in our safety metrics. He will continue to provide vital leadership as we further this progress.