About

our leadership team

Mr. Howard is the founder of Premier Risk Management and has over thirty years of experience working in multiple disciplines under the auspices of risk management. His primary focuses are Loss Control, Employment Practices, Regulatory Compliance, DOT, OSHA, and Environmental Compliance. He regularly prepares employee handbooks, formal compliance plans, controlled substance policies, prohibition of harassment, and other safety and employment related documentation. He has investigated hundreds of catastrophic losses and provides guidance to multiple professionals in legal practice, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and employers on a national level. He is recognized as an expert in the field of risk management and is called upon frequently to provide testimony associated with his investigations. Mr. Howard has a unique and innovative approach to the many disciplines of risk management including extensive knowledge of self-insured, high retention, and large deductible programs utilized by many corporations today. He provides services in international, national, regional, and local markets. Additionally, he is noted as being one of the most dynamic and sought after speakers on the disciplines of risk management and the art of effective leadership. Mr. Howard is a decorated veteran of the United States Air Force. After completing his military commitments and before starting his own company, he worked for Federal Express as the southwest safety coordinator and as the risk manager for the Automotive Investment Group in Phoenix, Arizona. A native of Arizona, Mr. Howard is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Risk & Insurance Management Society, while also serving on the Science Advisory Board for Grand Canyon University. He routinely teaches at ASU for the Western Region OTI Education Center in multiple disciplines of safety and is an authorized U.S. Department of Labor trainer. He is an active sponsor of Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Cancer Society, Wounded Warrior Project, Mercy Chefs, Tunnel to Towers, Samaritan’s Purse, and Folds of Honor.

Ms. Heath is the controller for Premier Risk Management and has over 25 years of executive experience. A native of the Valley, Ms. Heath has spent a majority of her professional career directing operations of a large dental practice. Joining the Premier Risk Management family, she is responsible for the direction, coordination, and evaluation of the accounting/finance, budget, payroll, business operations, administrative management, and sensitive information security. Working in close coordination with the founder of the company, her responsibilities include client-onboarding, hour and work production analysis, master schedules, business planning, field task coordination and performance reviews. Ms. Heath possesses strong organizational skills and sharp attention to detail and oversees the production and continuity of the business office. In her spare time, Ms. Heath enjoys baking, hiking, road-biking, and spending time with her family.

Mr. Kopp is a the director of operations for Premier Risk Management and has over 30 years of leadership experience in multiple roles with the United States Air Force. Mr. Kopp’s professional career began as an Army combat engineer specializing in the installation of mobile bridges and explosive demolition. After transitioning into the Air Force, Mr. Kopp worked in aircrew survival with a focus on aircrew flight safety and post mishap survival. After completing Air Force Aviation Mishap Investigation training, Mr. Kopp assisted in the investigation of fighter aircraft crashes as the human systems investigator. His attention to detail has contributed to countless Air Force technical order revisions for pilot and aircraft equipment, including the development of several technical orders for newly introduced equipment identifying human factors and limitations of engineering compatibility with current aircrew flight equipment. Mr. Kopp has extensive specialized experience in military operations risk management and employee safety programs as mandated by OSHA, the Department of Defense, and the US Air Force. He regularly completes pre-work hazard assessments, work environment inspections, and prepares site specific safety plans for special conditions. His knowledge and expertise plays an invaluable role in the daily activities of training employees, inspecting worksites, and investigating catastrophic incidents. During his tenure at Premier Risk Management, he has continued his professional education, earning a Construction Industry Certificate from Georgia Institute of Technology as a certified safety and health official. Mr. Kopp is recognized as an authorized trainer by the U.S. Department of Labor. In his spare time, Mr. Kopp supports the Wounded Warrior Project.

Ms. Rogers is the office administrator and logistics coordinator for Premier Risk Management. She has over 30 years of executive office experience and is a key member of our risk management team. She coordinates the scheduling of client safety training and inspections. She is responsible for the routine maintenance of client incident reports, inspection data, and training records. She works in close coordination with the operations director, facilitating day-to-day client communications, and maintains an efficient office environment with her strong organizational skills and sharp attention to detail. In her spare time, Ms. Rogers enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her husband of over 30 years and their three sons.

Ms. Creighton is the business systems manager for Premier Risk Management. She develops and manages the scheduled services systems, handles the design graphics and editing for critical reports and training programs, and provides solutions for routine inquiries about risk management services that our company provides. A fourth-generation Phoenician, she has spent nine years serving the construction industry in a wide variety of technical and administrative roles, ranging from professional event coordination and facilitation to the development and implementation of database management systems, to content creation and editing for industry publications. With her extensive knowledge of HTML and CSS, she also designs and develops websites routinely. She has spent years working with Phoenix New Pathways for Youth, a non-profit organization whose programs transform the lives of Phoenix area at-risk youth through the power of mentoring. Also an accomplished musician, songwriter, singer, and recording engineer, Ms. Creighton spends her free time furthering her music career, producing records and performing around the state.

Mr. Contreras is a field service representative for Premier Risk Management. A Valley of the Sun native, he has resided here for nearly 55 years. Mr. Contreras has an extensive fire service background of 35 years with a focus on emergency incident management. Among his various assignments, he has served as the deputy fire marshal of the Fire Prevention Office for the City of Phoenix, the manager of Phoenix Fire Facilities responsible for the compliance of over 70 commercial structures and new builds, and currently oversees fire operations in West Phoenix with an emphasis in the bulk fuel storage of flammable liquids. Mr. Contreras holds a certificate in public management through Arizona State University in addition to a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He holds a Master of Science in Fire Executive Leadership through Grand Canyon University. He is a certified FEMA task force leader and has deployed to Hurricanes Rita and Gustav in the Louisiana/Texas region. Mr. Contreras is a certified technical rescue technician with over 20 years of experience as a paramedic with the Phoenix Fire Department. Mr. Contreras is an avid reader and enjoys bicycling, hiking, and spending time with his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren.

Mr. Figueroa is a field service supervisor for Premier Risk Management. He has over 22 years of professional leadership experience with the Phoenix Fire Department. He is a certified hazardous materials emergency responder, certified emergency medical technician, qualified technical air craft rescue & recovery, OSHA waste water, trench collapse rescue and recovery, and swift water rescue. Mr. Figueroa owned and operated a swimming pool design and installation contracting service in Arizona for several years and has extensive knowledge of construction timelines and protocols. He regularly completes pre-construction hazard assessments, worksite inspections, and prepares site specific safety plans for special conditions. His knowledge and expertise plays an invaluable role in the daily activities of training employees, inspecting worksites, and investigating catastrophic incidents. He provides guidance to employers who have been cited or are under investigation by OSHA. Mr. Figueroa has a fire science degree. During his tenure at Premier Risk Management, he has continued his professional education and is recognized as an authorized trainer by the U.S. Department of Labor. He is frequently called on to serve as a translator for investigations, depositions, and court proceedings. Mr. Figueroa is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Risk and Insurance Management Society.

Mr. Gabriel brings to the Premier Risk Management team a wide variety of experience in fields like industrial hygiene, safety engineering, environmental management, fleet compliance, and ISO/OHSAS management system development. He began his career in 2003 working for a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. During that time, he provided services for various federal agencies, including industrial hygiene work for the U.S. Army Reserve Command and USDA; respirator program development and implementation for the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the ATF, and the USDA; and indoor air quality, asbestos, and lead inspections for the Social Security Administration. Wanting to expand his horizons, Tyson eventually branched out to the private sector, landing a position in a global electric motor company. There, he became well-versed in the ISO and OHSAS management systems for quality, safety, and environmental protection. Later, he ventured into food service manufacturing, working with Fortune 500 companies, and later yet, he moved on to the construction, mining, and oil and gas industries. Most recently, he worked for one of the nation’s largest automobile carriers, developing their compliance program from the ground up. Mr. Gabriel holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University. A native Texan, Tyson is (naturally) a football fanatic. His greatest love in life, though, is his family, which includes his daughter and his beautiful wife, whom he began dating in the 8th grade.

Mr. Garcia is a field service supervisor for Premier Risk Management. He has over 30 years of professional leadership experience. Living in Arizona since 1972, he owned and operated a general contracting business for over 20 years. Mr. Garcia has extensive knowledge of both residential and commercial construction, including waste water treatment facilities. He regularly completes pre-construction hazard assessments and worksite inspections in addition to training employees on safe work practices. His knowledge and expertise of the trades enhance his ability to understand the difficulties that employers and employees experience while trying to complete assigned duties in a safe manner. Along with inspecting worksites and training employees, Mr. Garcia routinely investigates catastrophic incidents and is frequently called on to serve as a translator for investigations, depositions, and court proceedings. As a certified identity theft risk manager specialist, he provides vital training and compliance assistance to ensure companies are meeting their obligations under state and federal laws pertaining to identity theft in the workplace. During his tenure at Premier Risk Management, he has continued his professional education and is recognized as an authorized trainer by the U.S. Department of Labor. In his spare time, Mr. Garcia supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and enjoys reading, golf, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Gillaspy is a Field Service Supervisor for Premier Risk Management. He is a native of Arizona and has an extensive knowledge in the application of engineering controls for construction safety. Mr. Gillaspy has worked in the health and safety field for over 25 years and is a nationally certified paramedic. He completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University with a degree in fire sciences and education. He has taught multiple safety and health-related disciplines at the collegian level, as well as being an authorized trainer for the U.S. Department of Labor. He is recognized by the State of Arizona as a Fire Inspector II and regularly conducts fire origin and cause investigations. His knowledge and expertise play an invaluable role in the daily activities of training employees, inspecting worksites, and investigating catastrophic incidents. He provides guidance to employers who have been cited or are under investigation by OSHA. Mr. Gillaspy is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Risk and Insurance Management Society. In his spare time, Mr. Gillaspy is a professional woodturner who works with a group that teaches woodturning to at-risk and abused children.

Mr. Rangel is a field service supervisor for Premier Risk Management. He has over 30 years of professional leadership experience with multiple roles with the Phoenix Fire Department and obtained the rank of captain during his tenure. His professional background includes working on the Phoenix Fire Department’s Special Operations Division, certified emergency paramedic, master instructor for the International Association of Firefighters, qualified trainer for the Department of Energy and Department of Transportation. Additionally, Mr. Rangel is a qualified hazardous waste worker trainer, qualified instructor for the Arizona State Fire Marshall in technical rescue including confined space and an adjunct instructor for the Arizona State Fire Service Excellence Board. He has provided training and safety related services to the automotive industry in Latin America and worked as an instructor for the Maricopa Community College system for fire science and paramedicine courses. He completed his undergrad studies at Arizona State University in financial accounting with a minor degree in Spanish. In his spare time, Mr. Rangel dabbles in photojournalism and his work has been published in several national magazines on the sport of fly fishing.

Mr. Russell is a field service supervisor for Premier Risk Management. He has over thirty years of professional leadership experience in diverse roles with the Phoenix Fire Department both as a firefighter and paramedic. He is a certified hazardous materials emergency responder and qualified technical rescue technician with experience in confined space rescue, rope rescue, trench collapse rescue and recovery, and swift water rescue. Mr. Russell is a member of the Arizona FEMA Team and a certified wellness trainer. He also avails himself to the U.S Forest Service during peak fire seasons across the United States working as a frontline paramedic and firefighter. Mr. Russell also owned and operated a wallpaper and painting contracting service in Arizona for 25 years and has extensive knowledge in both residential and commercial construction. He regularly completes pre-construction hazard assessments and worksite inspections, as well as preparing site specific safety plans for special conditions. His knowledge and expertise plays an invaluable role in the daily activities of training employees, inspecting worksites, and investigating catastrophic incidents. He provides guidance to employers who have been cited or are under investigation by OSHA. During his tenure at Premier Risk Management, he has continued his professional education and is recognized as an authorized trainer by the U.S. Department of Labor. Mr. Russell completed his undergrad studies at Phoenix College and Wayland Baptist University. He has degrees in fire science and occupational education. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Risk & Insurance Management Society. In his spare time, he volunteers with local youth sports programs and is active in his church.

Mr. Scalley is a field service representative for Premier Risk Management. A native of Phoenix Arizona, he has spent his career in special hazard fire suppression systems, intelligent fire alarm systems, and low voltage alarm systems varying from nurse call to security systems. He is a NICET Level II certified technician with installation and service experience in fire alarm panels from manufactures such as Notifier Est. Fike Kiddie Fenwall and their sub systems. Mr. Scalley’s experience plays a vital role in his daily activities with Premier Risk ManagemenT. He completes hazard assessments and worksite inspections, conducts routine training, and investigates incidents for causation and abatement. He has continued his professional education and is a certified safety and heath official (CSHO) by the U.S. Department of Labor. He loves spending spare time with his wife, son, and extended family enjoying a variety of outdoor activities.

Mr. Espraza is a field service representative for Premier Risk Management. He was a schoolteacher for the Roosevelt School District and excels at classroom management and student engagement to enhance the learning environment. Mr. Esparza also worked for Discount Tire Company building their mainframe server system. He graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in information systems and holds a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Esparza’s primary language is Spanish, and he plays an invaluable role in translating and assisting with Premier Risk Management's training material.

In his spare time, Jerry enjoys working out at the gym with his son and reading, but his avocation is golf.

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