NSC Honors 2026 CEOs Who "Get It" for Safety Leadership
National Safety Council recognizes seven executives for advancing workplace safety, health, and employee well-being.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Jan 27, 2026
The National Safety Council has named its 2026 CEOs Who “Get It,” recognizing seven corporate leaders for demonstrating a strong commitment to worker safety and health.
The annual designation honors executives who go beyond regulatory compliance to create safer, healthier workplaces and reduce preventable injuries. This year’s honorees were cited for leadership that prioritizes safety culture, employee well-being, and risk reduction both on and off the job.
The 2026 CEOs Who “Get It” are Gary Bernardez of AMECO; John C. Mascaro Jr. of Mascaro Construction Co. LP; John L. Nickerson of JLN Associates LLC/JLN Safety; Myrna Redfield of Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership LLC; Chris Villavarayan of Axalta Coating Systems; Aarion Williams of OccuPros; and Mary Beth Woods of the Public Employee Risk Management Association Inc.
The honorees will be featured in the February issue of Safety+Health magazine and recognized during the NSC Leaders in Safety Awards celebration on May 6 at the 2026 NSC Safety Summit.
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating preventable deaths and injuries in workplaces, homes, and communities.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.