Honoring a Career That Elevated Safety from Compliance to Culture

The North Dakota Safety Council proudly presented the 2025 Duane Kuehn Outstanding Safety Professional Award during the Closing Session of the Annual Safety & Health Conference on Thursday, February 26.

This year’s recipient: Dan Hannan, CSP, Safety and Health Director with American Engineering Testing, Inc. (AET).

Named in honor of Duane Kuehn, a leader who placed safety and innovation at the forefront of his work, this prestigious award recognizes individuals who demonstrate long-term dedication, forward-thinking leadership, and an unwavering commitment to protecting people.

 A Legacy Rooted in Service

With a 36-year career in safety, health, and environmental leadership, Dan has consistently focused on reducing risk and strengthening organizations. As Safety and Health Director at AET, he supports approximately 500 employees across 16 locations throughout the Upper Midwest.

Dan has built and led comprehensive compliance programs spanning OSHA, DOT, MSHA, and EPA standards. His leadership has not only ensured regulatory compliance, it has cultivated a culture where safety is embraced as a shared responsibility.

 Safety is deeply personal for Dan. Following the loss of his father to occupational-related lung cancer, he established an annual $1,000 scholarship for students pursuing careers in safety and health. When asked about his career wish, Dan shared: “An employee or student would tell me that my safety influence improved the quality of their life.” That sentiment reflects the very spirit of the Duane Kuehn Award.

 Recognizing Excellence Across Our Industry

The North Dakota Safety Council also extends sincere appreciation to the outstanding professionals nominated for the 2025 award:

  • William Bush – Bayer Crop Science
  • Marcus Simpson – UND Office of Safety
  • Gina Thornton – John Deere Seeding
  • Kevin Archer – Estvold Oilfield Services
  • Tom Peterson – Veit
  • Matthew Jenrich – North Dakota DOT
  • Lynn Douglas – Williston School District

Each nominee represents the strength and dedication of safety leaders across our region.

The NDSC is currently accepting applications for our Annual Safety & Health Awards. There are nine categories, from individual to company. This year’s awards submission deadline is March 22.

APPLY TODAY