Evergreen Safety Council recognizes GE Renewable Energy’s Jamie France for paving the way to new standards in the wind transportation industry through the development of WITPAC (Wind Industry Transportation Professional Advanced Certification).

Jamie France spearheaded a joint effort involving in-depth risk assessment, development of best practices, and a new training curriculum for operators. This new training program is becoming an industry requirement for truck drivers, Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators (P/EVOs) and steerpersons. To date, thousands of operators have been trained, and best practices have been implemented by trucking companies and their operators.

We also would like to recognize GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Gamesa, and Vestas for their contributions to the development of WITPAC.

Collectively these recipients, who represent the major manufacturers in the wind energy industry, have worked together to make the transportation of their components safer for workers and the general public. The fact that these three companies are competitors did not stop them from coming together to make major improvements to industry safety.

With regard to this extraordinary effort, Stan McNaughton, Vice Chairman of Evergreen Safety Council’s Board of Directors, said, “to move mature industries to take a big leap like this is rare, it seldom happens. This award fits you perfectly, and I’m sure if the Governor was here he would say that.”