2010 Speaker Biographies

Speakers A – L | Speakers M – Z

Donna Abts, PT, CEES; Ergonomics Program Manager, The Clorox Company, was hired in 2000 as a leading member of its corporate health team to improve health consciousness and programs organization-wide. Since then, she’s led the restructuring of the company’s ergonomic program, resulting in substantial worksite injury reductions and lower costs from reducing lost work days caused by repetitive motion injuries.
 
John Amell, MA; Lead Ergonomist - Associate Technical Fellow, The Boeing Company has supported Cockpit Automation Technology for Military Airplanes, Crew Operations for commercial Airplane Engineering and Industrial Ergonomics for Commercial Airplane Manufacturing. He is currently the lead Ergonomist in Materials and Process technology (M&PT) supporting all commercial airplane programs & has been accepted into Boeing’s Technical Fellowship.


Jeffrey Anshel, BS, OD; Principal, Corporate Vision Consulting, is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. He has authored numerous publications on nutritional and stress influences on vision, as well as issues surrounding visual demands for computer workers. He is assistant professor at Southern CA College of Optometry and maintains a full service practice in Carlsbad, CA.

Thomas Armstrong, PhD, CIH, CPE; is a Professor of Industrial and Operations Engineering and of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Center for Ergonomics at the University of Michigan. He teaches work measurement and design, and physical ergonomics.  Some of his present research is concerned with computerized models of the hand, with friction between the hand and work objects, with how the hands are used to stabilize the body while climbing on fixed structures, with work process variations, workload and risk of musculoskeletal disorders, and with standardization of surgical procedures outcomes and training.   

Dan Arnold, PT, CAE; is the Injury Prevention Specialist in charge of the Ergonomics, Behavior Based Safety, and Post-Offer Employment Testing programs for Northwest Healthcare, where employee injuries have been reduced by over 90% since 1992. He also specializes in on-site consulting, training, and education for employees of various companies and industries throughout Montana.

Todd Baker, OTR/L, CEES; is Principal of Empowerment Ergonomics which provides innovative consulting services.  His ergonomics experience includes the development and implementation of injury prevention programs in university, manufacturing, and small business settings.  He has partnered with private and government labor agencies to deliver experiential training for custodial and facilities maintenance personnel.  Todd is currently the Lead Ergonomics Consultant for the Cornell University Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program, directing campus-wide employee ergonomic assessment and training initiatives.                

Michael Belcher, CSP; is the Director of Safety for DS Waters, the U.S. leader in home and office water delivery where he is responsible for leading safety and health efforts that impact over 5,000 employees.  Belcher devotes the majority of his time working to align safety processes with desired business outcomes. Belcher has 20 years of experience as a full-time safety professional and has worked successfully with various employers to improve operational performance and to prevent injuries, illnesses, fire, and vehicle accidents.  


Drew Bossen, PT, MBA; Executive VP, Atlas Ergonomics, has a strong clinical background rooted in the assessment and evaluation of the injured worker. He works with a variety of Fortune 1000 companies across the county. Over the past decade he has developed and implemented a fully integrated ergonomics program throughout 45 domestic facilities of Rockwell Collins. His most recent endeavor is Atlas Ergonomics, a process driven solution for the ergonomic needs of workers. His strengths lie in clinical application and systems thinking.

David Brodie, MS, CPE; Director of Ergonomics Services, Atlas Ergonomics has been working in the field of ergonomics for nearly 17 years. Brodie has worked for corporate clients throughout North America, including work in office, industrial, meat processing, transportation, and healthcare settings. He is currently the Vice Chairperson for the Ergonomics Branch of Industrial Hygiene Specialty Group, a practice specialty of the ASSE, and a Director on the BCPE.

George Brogmus, MS, CPE, M.Erg.S.; Technical Director, Liberty Mutual Loss Control Advisory Services, has provided occupational safety and ergonomics advice to clients in every industry sector for over 25 years.  He is creator of SIRE™, Liberty Mutual's Work Scheduling Impact Risk Estimator.  Mr. Brogmus teaches UCLA's graduate class on Occupational Safety and Ergonomics and UCLA's monthly webinar series on ergonomics. 

Richard W. Bunch, PhD, PT, CBES; CEO, Industrial Safety and Rehabilitation Institute (ISRI) is an ergonomic professional injury prevention wellness trainer and licensed physical therapist with a doctorate degree in human anatomy. He is founder/owner of ISR Institute, an organization dedicated to providing injury prevention, and effective injury management companies such as Union Pacific Railroad, Chevron Texaco, and Halliburton.

Patrick Carley, PT, MS; Assistant Professor, Graduate Physical Therapy Program, American International College. His areas of expertise have involved manufacturing and office work process modifications for the past twenty-three years including LEGO Systems, the U.S. Postal Service, American Saw and Manufacturing, Hasbro and Merrill Lynch Financial Services.

Barry Carlin, DC; President, Best Performance Systems, is devoted to developing and implementing programs to reduce injuries and worker’s compensation costs, and increase productivity since 1992. As a result of years of experience and post graduate studies in medicine, ergonomics, behavior modification and accelerated learning techniques, he has developed an integrated system that consistently reduces injuries by 50-90%.

Jerome Congleton, PhD, PE, CPE; Professor, Safety & Engineering Program, Texas A&M University, Director of the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center in Ergonomics. Past Co-Director of the Ergonomics & Work Measurement Div. of the IIE past member of the Board of Directors of the International Industrial Ergonomics and Safety Foundation.

Kevin Costello, BS, CPE; President, United States Ergonomics. With more than 18 years’ experience applying ergonomics he has launched corporate ergonomic programs, provided training, conducted risk analyses and implemented job design efforts for organizations like Google.


Marnie Downey, Hons. B.Sc (Kin.), M.Sc., CCPE, CK; President of ERGO Inc. has earned a solid reputation as an expert in the field of Occupational biomechanics and ergonomics with over 15 years experience.  Marnie has solved diverse ergonomic challenges for hundreds of companies in a variety of industries in Canada, the United States and Mexico.  Some of her recent work has included postural assessments to determine the likelihood of injury, a universal kitchen design to accommodate wheelchair accessibility, laboratory designs in a pharmaceutical company and time studies to determine suitable workloads and cycle times.

Woody Dwyer, MS, CPE, CIE; Senior Ergonomics Specialist, Travelers, is a member of Traveler’s Human Factors and Ergonomics unit. He is responsible for working with numerous clients to reduce the workers’ compensation costs and ergonomic issues, and develop ergonomics improvement processes.

Jessica Ellison, MS, CPE, CSP; Senior EHS Consultant, Environmental and Occupational Risk Management where she provides ergonomic consultation services. She has experience conducting quantitative ergonomic risk assessments and developing ergonomic programs for a variety of clients in the solar, semiconductor, electronics, food and beverage, biotechnology, software, government and traditional manufacturing industries.

Tim Eng, MSEHS, PE, CIE; is a Project Manger with Kaiser Permanente National Facility Services, Southern California Regional Building Operations.  Eng’s primary focus is workplace safety, EH&S regulatory compliance, and disaster/emergency preparedness. During his professional career, Tim has worked for several companies in environmental engineering, ergonomic evaluations of workspaces and production lines, air permitting, industrial hygiene, hazardous waste management, regulatory compliance, and employee training.

Arun Garg, CPE, PhD; Professor & Chair, Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department, and Director, Center for Ergonomics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has developed several job analysis methods used worldwide, written over 150 publications, and served as a consultant to OSHA, NIOSH, EEOC, state/local governments, and private organizations including hospitals and nursing homes.

Michelle Garner-Janna, MIE, CPE, CSP; is currently Director – Corporate Health & Safety for Cummins, Inc.   She has worked in the field of Safety & Ergonomics for the past 15 years within a manufacturing environment.

David Goldojarb, MA, MS, CPDM; Disability Manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is involved with workplace safety, specializing in disability issues and ergonomics. His experience spans the field of employment and disabilities including workers’ compensation, ADA, EEO, FEHA, union and HR issues; worksite modifications, accommodation, and OSHA compliance.


Lisa Harris, OTR; is a co-owner of Austin HealthWorks and has been providing ergonomics services for individuals and companies for over 12 years. She has experience ranging from program design and implementation to carrying out existing ergonomics programs for a leading computer company. Harris has been practicing occupational therapy for cumulative trauma disorders in an outpatient clinical setting since 1997. She also provides functional testing for employers, physicians and insurance companies.


Kent Hatcher, MS, CPE; Managing Consultant and Ergonomics Engineer for Humantech, specializes in managing large-scale ergonomic initiatives in the manufacturing and health care industries, as well as facilitating group training sessions and developing internal ergonomic expertise.  Kent promotes a macro-ergonomic philosophy of system efficiency, showing companies how to integrate human-factors engineering into production operations.

Alan Hedge, PhD, CPE; Director, Human Factors & Ergonomics Laboratory, Co-Director, Design Concepts Laboratory, Dept. Design & Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, where he teaches/conducts research. He received the 2003 Alexander J. Williams design award from the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society. He has co-written two books, 30 book chapters and over 200 articles in ergonomics literature and related journals.

Dee Hinckley, BS, OTR/L, CES; Ergonomic Specialist, JetBlue Airways, providing ergonomic services for 13,000+ employees. She has over 20 years experience in ergonomics, industrial safety, and injury prevention.  She is a member of OSHA's Airline Ergonomic Alliance, and chairs the Ergonomic Chapter of NSC's Artex Airline Alliance.  She has lectured nationally, and has authored articles and chapters on ergonomics and injury prevention.   

Virginia Hixson, CPE, PMP; is currently a Business Process Analyst with the City of San Jose working on processes with direct impact on three departments. Results have included increased efficiency, manager/employee by-in to change, and good will between departments. This has led to fewer injuries on the job.  Previously she was Ergonomics Program Manager for the City of San Jose. Prior to that, she spent several years as an Occupational Therapist.

Stephen D. Hudock, PhD, CSP; is the Research Safety Engineer, Team Lead, Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mining Engineering and subsequently worked for the US Bureau of Mines in Minneapolis for 6 years where he was instrumental in the creation of a Human Factors Research Group. He received his doctorate in Interdisciplinary Engineering, specializing in Occupational Ergonomics from Texas A&M University.  He has held adjunct faculty positions in both the College of Medicine and the College of Engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

Alma Jackson, RN, OHN; President/CEO, Colorado Safety Works, Inc., serves as a part-time professor at Mesa State College, where she teaches research. Alma also has a patent on an ergonomic seat cushion, SpineSaver, which won a National Safety Council Award for Improvement in the Quality of Life for People with Disabilities.

Philip Jacobs, MS, CSP, CPE, is President of Jacobs Consulting, Ltd., an Ergonomics and Safety Consultancy.  He has over 20 years experience in workplace ergonomics and safety.  He has worked with a wide range of companies as a consultant, and as a staff member for 3M, Minnesota OSHA Consultation, and others.  An experienced trainer, Phil's focus is on practical approaches for reducing injuries and making workplace improvements.

Tamara M. James, MA, CIE, CPE; Director of Ergonomics, Duke University Medical Center. She is responsible for hazard evaluation and training for more than 25,000 workers. James received her master’s degree in Human Factors Engineering from George Mason University in Virginia.

Jay Kapellusch, MS; Senior Lecturer and Research Specialist at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee received his MS Degree in Industrial Engineering from UW – Milwaukee in 2006, and is currently pursuing his PhD, Kapellusch serves as Vice President and Chief IE consultant for Ergonomics by Design Inc., a consulting company. Mr. Kapellusch has more than 10 years of experience in ergonomics and has served as consultant to more than 150 companies.

Joe Kessler, MBA; is the Ergonomics Manager Hasbro Games in East Longmeadow, MA. Kessler received his MBA from American International College in Springfield, MA. During his administration at Hasbro Games, the ergonomics program at has been deemed a best practice by OSHA.


Susan Kuruvilla, MBA; is President and CFO of General Lock, and CLARK Security Products, Inc., a $100M+ wholesale distributor of security products with 14 locations nationwide.   Kuruvilla’s 22 years of business experience has been in various capacities of finance both for public and private companies.  Prior to joining CLARK in 1998, Kuruvilla worked for American Airlines in Dallas for seven years in a range of finance and supply chain management responsibilities. Susan is passionate about leading strategic planning processes and driving health and wellness awareness. She. earned her undergraduate degree in finance from The University of Wisconsin - Madison, and her MBA from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.


Brian Langenhorst, OTR, CEA; is a professional member of ASSE. He has specialized in Industrial Rehabilitation, has worked as a Loss Control/Workers Compensation Specialist. As a frequent public speaker/consultant, Brian has delivered his high energy message over the past 20+ years to thousands of participants, providing them the technical information they need with his practical/fun approach to injury prevention.


Debra Lieberman, OT; is a Partner with the firm Ergoworks Consulting, LLC. As a practicing ergonomist and OTR with over 15 years of experience she has worked with Northern VA Hospital Center, AOL, and VeriSign.

Rani Lueder, MSIE, CPE; President, Humanics ErgoSystems, Inc. has 25 years experience consulting in occupational ergonomics, postural research and product design evaluation and research for adults, children and people with disabilities. She recently co-edited/co-authored the book, Ergonomics for Children. She’s a member of the HFES, The Ergonomics Society, and IEA.

Mallory Lynch, MA, CEA; Senior Ergonomics Specialist, UC Berkeley provides ergonomics consultation and training in a broad range of environments. She has advised the University of California and California State University systems on ergonomic purchasing guidelines for task seating. Currently, she is forging partnerships with project managers, architects and LEED AP’s to expand the ergonomics program through the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system.