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Who We Are

Building safe workplaces starts with understanding the industries we serve. For over 36 years, the Health and Safety Council (HASC®), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has partnered with industry to anticipate evolving needs and navigate changing regulations.

Through industry-leading training, occupational health, screening, and digital compliance solutions, we help owners and contractors strengthen workforce readiness and simplify compliance across the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast and beyond. 

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WHERE SAFETY MEETS INNOVATION

Experience the Difference

Since 1990, HASC has remained focused on one goal: improving the quality and integrity of the workforce. Guided by our mission and vision, we continue to advance safety through solutions that meet the changing needs of industry. 

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Driven by Purpose

The vision of the Health and Safety Council is to create a comprehensive safety ecosystem for the industrial community, with the goal of creating and fostering a safety-focused culture that will result in the achievement of zero harm to personnel and the ultimate preservation of life. To achieve this vision, HASC facilitates the multiple and varied needs of Owners/Operators and Contractors, and works closely with the world’s premier subject matter experts to deliver exceptional training solutions.

mission

Devoted to Excellence

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, HASC is committed to serving industry and the communities where we operate.

The mission of the Health and Safety Council as an innovative leader is building safe workplaces by improving the quality and integrity of the workforce. 

Our Core Values

By making safety the core of everything we do, we're proud to help shape safe workplaces and strong industrial communities. Our work is guided by core values that drive every solution we deliver:

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Innovation

Leveraging technology and expertise to create smarter, more efficient solutions

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Collaboration

Partnering with industry and subject matter experts to solve challenges.

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Integrity

Holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of quality.

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Service

Delivering responsive, reliable support that strengthens workforce readiness.

Together, these values advance our mission of building safe workplaces

OUR COMMITMENT IN ACTION

Driven by TIER

At HASC, our internal TIER values — Trust, Integrity, Excellence, and Respect — shape how we collaborate, innovate, and serve. While these principles guide our team from the inside, they also ensure our customers experience dependable solutions, exceptional service, and consistent quality in everything we deliver.

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WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Trust

Trust drives consistent, dependable support that customers can count on.

  • Anticipate risks and adapt to changing regulations

  • Deliver innovative training, health, and compliance solutions

  • Help businesses exceed safety standards and build operational readiness

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WE DO THE RIGHT THING, ALWAYS

Integrity

Integrity ensures accuracy, accountability, and dependable results

  • Maintain reliable records for compliance and audits

  • Deliver services that meet the highest industry standards

  • Keep your workforce consistently safe, compliant, and site-ready

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WE FIND A WAY

Excellence

Excellence ensures that every solution meets the highest standards.

  • Continuously enhance training, health, and compliance solutions

  • Set rigorous internal standards to drive consistent quality

  • Support safer, more efficient operations across every site

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WE LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND

Respect

Respect keeps collaboration at the core of what we do 

  • Listen to industry and subject matter experts to guide innovation

  • Deliver practical, inclusive solutions for diverse workforce needs

  • Build partnerships that strengthen our entire industrial community

Guided by Experience

Executive Leadership

The HASC senior executive leadership team blends deep industry expertise with forward-thinking vision, guiding every aspect of the organization. Championing innovation and technology, elevating service delivery, and strengthening customer experience across training, occupational health, and screening services.

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President & CEO

Russell F. Klinegardner, MBA, CSP

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CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

William Gonzales, MBA

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CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Marc Sekula, CPA

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CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Tommy Hysler, MD, MPH, FACOEM

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SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY

Cami L. Hysler, MBA, CAE

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VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jason Welsh

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PRESIDENT
HASC LOUISIANA

Sarita Scheufens

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President & CEO

Russell F. Klinegardner, MBA, CSP

Russell Klinegardner serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Council, where he leads the organization’s strategic direction, operational performance, and long-term growth. With more than 30 years of experience, he brings a background supporting the petrochemical, refining, and energy industries from both owner and contractor perspectives.

He has been affiliated with HASC for more than 17 years, including service as an Executive Board Member and two-time Chairman of the Board prior to his current role. Russell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management and an MBA from Tulane University and is a Board-Certified Safety Professional. His leadership is grounded in operational excellence, disciplined systems, and advancing workforce safety across industry.

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CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

William Gonzales, MBA

William Gonzales serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Health and Safety Council, where he oversees day-to-day operations, aligning people, systems, and processes to deliver safe, consistent, and high-quality training at scale. With more than 30 years of industrial and operational experience, he brings a background in operations, safety, and executive leadership, including senior roles at Evergreen North America.

At HASC, William focuses on strengthening operational performance, standardizing processes, and building the infrastructure required to support continued growth. He is most proud of helping position the organization for scale while maintaining a strong safety culture and enabling teams to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes for workers, members, and communities.

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CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Marc Sekula, CPA

Marc Sekula serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Health and Safety Council, where he leads finance, accounting, and risk management to support organizational strategy, governance, and long-term sustainability. He partners closely with executive leadership and the Board to align financial planning with mission priorities and support disciplined growth.

Since joining HASC in 2017, Marc has strengthened the financial and operational infrastructure required to support expansion and increasing complexity. He brings experience across nonprofit, healthcare, energy, and technology sectors, with expertise in strategic planning, forecasting, and performance management. Marc holds an MBA in Finance, is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Texas and Colorado, and earned degrees in Accountancy and Chemical Engineering. His leadership reflects a balance of strategic vision, operational discipline, and financial rigor, supporting confident decision-making and the continued growth of HASC’s programs and services.

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CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Tommy Hysler, MD, MPH, FACOEM

Thomas “Tommy” Hysler, MD, MPH, FACOEM, serves as Chief Medical Officer for the Health and Safety Council, where he provides strategic oversight of the HASC occupational health centers nationwide and leads the medical providers who support each location.

Dr. Hysler earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas, and his Doctor of Medicine from Ross University. He completed his residency in Occupational Medicine at the University of Texas. Dr. Hysler is board-certified in Occupational Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (FACOEM).

Dr. Hysler is passionate about advancing occupational health and is committed to delivering unparalleled healthcare resources and services, as well as state-of-the-art health centers to both employees and employers. He serves as Medical Director for multiple contractor and owner/operator organizations and is frequently sought as a subject matter expert in worker health and occupational medicine.

In addition to his leadership role at HASC, Dr. Hysler contributes to industry and occupational health advancement through his roles on the Occupational Medicine Residency Advisory Committee for the University of Texas and National Safety Council’s Wellbeing and Safety Advisory Board.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Hysler enjoys traveling with his family and playing music as part of his church praise band.

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SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY

Cami L. Hysler, MBA, CAE

Cami Hysler serves as Senior Vice President of Strategy at the Health and Safety Council, a nonprofit industry leader in workforce safety, compliance, and occupational health solutions across the petrochemical, energy, and manufacturing sectors. With more than 15 years of executive leadership experience, she guides enterprise-wide strategy, innovation, and long-term growth initiatives to advance the HASC mission of building safe workplaces.

Throughout her tenure at HASC, Cami has held key leadership roles spanning public relations, operations, and strategic services. She has spearheaded initiatives that align stakeholder needs with scalable, results-driven business models while strengthening organizational performance. In her current role, she oversees a diverse portfolio that includes marketing, research and development, customer success, and enterprise partnerships. Her work focuses on driving cross-functional alignment, advancing innovation, and delivering measurable value across industry ecosystems.

Cami holds a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and is recognized for her collaborative, results-oriented leadership style.

She resides in Friendswood, Texas, with her husband and daughter and enjoys traveling and cooking in her free time.

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VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jason Welsh

Jason Welsh serves as Vice President of Information Technology at the Health and Safety Council, where he leads the organization’s technology strategy, infrastructure, and systems that support enterprise operations and growth. With more than 25 years of experience, he brings a background spanning privately held companies and nonprofit organizations across multiple industries.

Prior to joining HASC in 2015, Jason held senior leadership and consulting roles with organizations including DISA Global Solutions, Dell Computer, and Baylor College of Medicine. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

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PRESIDENT
HASC LOUISIANA

Sarita Scheufens

Sarita Schuefens serves as President of the Health and Safety Council Louisiana, where she leads regional strategy, market growth, and stakeholder engagement across the state. With more than 25 years of experience in banking and business leadership, she brings a background in retail and commercial banking, including regional leadership roles focused on operations, client relationships, and team development.

At HASC, Sarita focuses on strengthening brand presence in Louisiana, building relationships with industry and community leaders, and supporting the continued expansion of HASC’s regional footprint. She is committed to developing future leaders and advancing a culture centered on people, service, and long-term impact.

Sarita values a culture that prioritizes people, strong relationships, and doing the right thing. She is passionate about supporting the workforce, strengthening communities, and ensuring the organization continues to grow with purpose and impact across Louisiana.

Built Through Time

Our History

For more than 36 years, HASC has advanced workplace safety through continuous innovation, training expansion, and strategic partnerships. From a single training center to nationwide coverage, our history reflects a commitment to protecting workers and strengthening industry readiness.

  • September 25, 1990

    Founded

    The Houston Area Contractor Safety Council opens in Deer Park, Texas, with a one-room training center and its first employee, Luis Aguilar. Basic Safety Training is delivered by volunteer instructors, and pre-paid training unit credits are introduced.

  • 1991

    First Year of Operations

    HASC completes 30,000 training units, establishing early demand for standardized safety training across industry.

  • 1992

    Expanded Service Offerings

    Services expand to include respirator fit testing, pulmonary function testing (PFT), and audiometric testing. Internal computer systems and operating platforms are custom-built to support operations. 

  • 1993

    Early Digital Training Innovation

    The first site-specific eLearning course is introduced, marking an early move toward digital safety training delivery.

  • 1997

    Expanded Capabilities

    A new 40,000-square-foot training center and headquarters opens in Deer Park, enabling significant growth in training delivery. 

  • 1999

    Online Services Begin

    Online registration is introduced, streamlining training enrollment and access. 

  • 2000

    Growth & Innovation

    Luis Aguilar becomes President & CEO. HASC introduces company-specific and new-hire orientation programs, expanding customized training offerings. 

  • 2001

    Security Innovation

    GateCheck™ is implemented as a site security and risk management application.

  • 2002

    Hands-On Training Launch

    Hands-on training programs are introduced to enhance practical workforce readiness. 

  • 2013

    Pasadena Campus Opens & Occupational Health Expands

    The state-of-the-art Pasadena campus opens. Occupational Health Services expand through Global Health™ to include physical exams, drug screening, vaccinations, and 24/7 injury care in Pasadena, TX. 

  • 2014

    Service Expansion & Mobile Operations

    Houston Business Roundtable (now known as Industry Business Roundtable, IBR) relocates to the Pasadena campus. The Safety Council on Wheels mobile fleet launches, delivering remote training and medical services. Phase 2 of campus development begins. 

  • 2015

    Occupational Health Center Completed

    The Occupational Health Center and Skills Development Center in Pasadena are completed. 

  • 2018

    Leadership Development Launch 

    LEAD™ professional soft skills training launches. 

  • 2019

    Digital Transformation Continues

    Medical and training services are added to contractor hiring offices across Deer Park. LINK™ platform launches. Safety Council Texas City (SCTC) merges to form HASC Texas City. 

  • 2020

    Major Expansion & 30-Year Milestone

    Pasadena campus expands eLearning capacity with three labs serving 600+ trainees. Parking expands to support 2,000+ trainees daily.
    HASC opens a Baytown campus offering training, eLearning, and occupational health services.

    The organization rebrands as the Health and Safety Council (HASC), reflecting expanded reach and services, celebrating 30 years of service on September 25, 2020. 

  • 2022

    Strategic Growth & Network Expansion

    HASC expands through multiple combinations with Safety Council of the Texas Mid Coast (SCTMC) forming HASC Mid-Coast and Colorado Safety Association (CSA) forming HASC Colorado. 

  • 2023

    Safety Essentials® Launch

    Safety Essentials is introduced as a standardized, reciprocal contractor orientation designed to reduce redundancy, lower costs, and improve consistency.

  • 2024

    HASC Louisiana Established

    With roots dating back to 1955, the Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana (SCSWLA) becomes HASC Louisiana, continuing its longstanding service to industry while expanding regional access to training, occupational health, and screening services.

  • 2025

    35 Years of Growth & Innovation

    New branches open in Brusly, Golden Triangle, Gonzales, and LaPlace as HASC celebrates its 35th anniversary.

    HASC joins the newly established Petrochemical, Refining, and Energy Safety Council Association (PRESCA™), a collaborative initiative bringing together safety councils and industry leaders to advance safety standards and drive innovation across the petrochemical, refining, and energy sectors.

  • 2026

    Expanding Workforce Screening

    HASC launches OmniScreening, its Third-Party Administrator (TPA) for background screening and drug and alcohol testing, bringing both together in one program to simplify workforce screening, reduce duplication, and support worker mobility across sites.

OUR STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Safety Through Shared Values

HASC proudly collaborates with industry leaders to advance safety, expand innovation, and deliver solutions that strengthen workforce readiness and operational excellence.
 
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Where Safety Starts

Build a Career That Protects Others

Join a mission-driven organization where every role contributes to safer worksites and stronger industries. At HASC, you’ll grow your career while making a lasting impact on training, health, and screening services that protect workers and help industry operate safely every day.

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