Complete Listing

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987

Leonard Sylvester Class of 1996 Background: Len Sylvester was born April 21, 1933, in Fort William, Ontario, Canada. After completing his elementary and high school education in Fort William, Mr. Sylvester attended the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with a B.Sc. in 1956. Professional Experience: Mr. Sylvester spent the major part of his career with the Construction Safety Association of Ontario, having joined in 1964. As a safety practitioner and trainer, he grew through the organization from his early days as an instructor/trainer to manager of the Association's Education Department. During this time, he had significant involvement in the development and production of numerous award-winning films. He became general manager of the Association in 1974. Career Highlights: During his tenure as chief executive officer, he directed a major effort to develop a sound statistical data base for the construction industry. Data are maintained on a trade-specific basis and a company-by-company basis and are analyzed to develop safety training programs for the Ontario construction industry and to direct research initiatives. Since 1965, the injury frequency in Ontario's construction industry has been reduced by 67 percent. In 1994, Ontario experienced 14 construction fatalities. That is a rate of 6.0 per 100,000 workers -- an outstanding record considering the rising levels of construction activity over the past 30 years. Mr. Sylvester was a member of the Construction Section of the National Safety Council since 1975. While he served as general chairman from 1981 to 1982, the Construction Section (for the first time) won the coveted Cameron Award of the National Safety Council's Industrial Section. Mr. Sylvester also served as the chairman of the National Safety Council's International Advisory Committee on Safety and Health and director of the NSC, representing the Construction Division. He also was chairman of the Board of Directors of the Safety, Health, and Environmental Resource Center International (former home of The Safety and Health Hall of Fame International). He was the recipient of a number of awards -- most notable, the Distinguished Service to Safety Award (1990), which is the National Safety Council's foremost award. In 1994, he received the Occupational Safety and Health Professional Achievement Award and the Veterans of Safety Fellowship Award.