Regional Safety Manager
Drew Blackburn was named Regional Safety Manager of Wharton-Smith in 2016 after serving as Project Manager and Safety Coordinator for the Gulf Coast Region of Wharton-Smith. Drew is responsible for the overall safety performance of this region and is involved with projects from estimating through operations, assuring OSHA compliance, safety training for new employees, competent person training for all supervisors in the region, and conducting jobsite audits. Drew establishes Emergency Response for the jobsites, — organizing, training, and coordinating skilled employees. He also manages security aspects, identifying and implementing design features and procedures to protect facilities and businesses from threats that introduce hazards. Before joining Wharton-Smith, Drew worked in the industrial sector as a maintenance supervisor in refinery and chemical plants. He is from a construction family and has been on a construction site most of his life. Drew is a proud graduate of Mississippi College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is a Certified Occupational Safety Manager, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist, and Construction Site Safety Technician. He is also a certified trainer for OSHA, Crane Institute of America, and American Traffic Safety Services. Drew is actively involved in his community and serves on the Louisiana Associated General Contractors Safety Committee, volunteers with his local fire department, and works rescue and first aid for Tiger Stadium events. Drew lives with his wife in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, where they enjoy all that South Louisiana outdoors has to offer.
