July 06 2021
By: Shawn M. Galloway
As I hope you read last week, Terry Mathis has retired from ProAct Safety. I'll miss working with him terribly. In June 2005, I started my first day with ProAct Safety at the (previously titled) ASSE Conference in New Orleans, LA. Changing into a company shirt in the men's room that morning, I was eager to join the team and make a difference and prove my value. Little did I know, my life would forever change.
Terry has become more than a business partner, more than a friend, more like a bonus father, offering both professional and personal advice when needed. I have learned more from him than I would ever be able to confidently articulate. Under his guidance, ProAct Safety has grown into the most recognized and successful safety excellence consulting firm. We owe our agility and resilience to his leadership. The work we will carry on, the advancements in the thinking around safety excellence, the lives we will continue to touch and save, are all because in November 1993 when founding our firm, Terry had a vision that has and will continue to be executed on: Helping organizations dedicated to the pursuit of safety excellence make that goal an attainable, sustainable reality.
Terry has made an immeasurable impact on global occupational safety. I hope you will join me in wishing our friend great success in the next chapter of his life. Should you have any gratitude or stories to pass on, we will ensure he receives them.
Thank you for allowing ProAct Safety to be an advisor to you in your efforts. I know the size of the shoes I'm stepping into, but I've had a great friend and mentor preparing me over the past sixteen years.
Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, is an expert in safety excellence. With almost thirty years of experience, he is a highly sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. Shawn has become a trusted partner to leading organizations across various industries worldwide. He ranks in the top 1% of the most prolific writers in his field, having authored over 500 articles and several bestselling books. He also launched the world's first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence©. As a recognized authority in safety, Shawn has received awards such as being named among the Top 50 People Who Most Influence EHS and a Top 10 Speaker, among others.
He is a regular guest on Bloomberg, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Dubai One, U.S. News & World Report, Sirius Business Radio, Wharton Business Daily, and leading safety magazines and podcasts. Shawn also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Forbes Business Council, and Fast Company Executive Board, enabling his influence to shape safety thinking and strategy at the executive level.
