Derrick E. Burney
Florissant
Summary
Accomplished, community-minded operations leader and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist with a proven track record of safeguarding personnel, optimizing logistics, and standardizing corporate safety cultures. A versatile entrepreneur and people-first leader who blends strong technical problem-solving with deeply rooted empathy. Adept at managing large-scale safety programs, leading cross-functional teams, and building trusted, high-care environments from the ground up.
Overview
1
1
Certification
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Specialist
Healing Grace Transporters
Florissant
01.2023 - Current
- Established and operated a specialized transit service dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and compassionate transportation for elderly, handicapped, and wheelchair-bound clients.
- Client-Centered Care: Handled high-trust transport for vulnerable passengers to critical medical appointments, ensuring safety, punctuality, and a dignified experience.
- Operational Excellence: Orchestrated daily logistics, dynamic scheduling, and route optimization to maintain a seamless calendar while adhering strictly to healthcare transport safety standards.
- Strategic Fleet Utilization: Maximized revenue streams and neutralized operational downtime by seamlessly integrating independent logistics contracts with digital rideshare platforms (Uber/Lyft).
EHS Specialist / Manager
Sensory Effects Flavor Systems / Balchem
St. Louis
01.2015 - 01.2023
- Promoted to design, execute, and enforce comprehensive workplace health and safety plans across corporate facilities in strict accordance with state and federal legal guidelines.
- National Safety Standardization: Co-developed and spearheaded a nationwide safety program; traveled extensively across the U.S. as the primary spokesperson to standardize safety protocols across all corporate plants.
- Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Evaluated operational practices and machinery to identify risks, audit adherence to laws, investigate workplace incidents, and manage worker claims effectively.
- Program Innovation: Successfully transformed the company's safety data sheet program into SiteHawk, developed Electrical SOPs, and introduced the STAR safety program.
- Employee Engagement: Cultivated a proactive culture of health and safety by leading continuous Safety Incentive programs and interactive 'Tool-Box Talks.'
- Key Achievement: Awarded the highest possible performance rating (4 - Exceeded Expectations) by the Plant Manager, cited for exceptional dedication to employee well-being and continuous professional growth.
Production Worker / Formula Coordinator
Sensory Effects Flavor Systems / Balchem
St. Louis
01.2007 - 01.2015
- Maintained chemical and ingredient inventory integrity through rigorous analytical monitoring of raw materials.
- Coordinated material staging in alignment with precise product formulas while ensuring machinery ran at peak performance and specification conformance.
Volunteer / Assistant Director of Customer Relations
Metro County Entrepreneur Association
St. Louis
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Provided strategic consulting for local business planning, marketing initiatives, and sales strategies.
- Focused heavily on improving regional client outreach, customer relations, and business retention metrics.
Field Service Technician
Contract Callers, Inc. (Subcontractor for Ameren U.E.)
St. Louis
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Mapped and executed daily regional routes to perform electrical meter connections, disconnections, maintenance, and complex circuitry repairs.
- Tested electrical currents and ensured total compliance with strict utility safety guidelines during client site visits.
Production Supervisor / Lead
Pillsbury Bakeries
St. Louis
01.1995 - 01.2003
- Supervised all production line aspects, including personnel management, inventory tracking, and safety protocol enforcement.
- Cross-trained as a mixer, line operator, and forklift driver while providing strong shift leadership to maintain high team morale.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Studies
Fontbonne University
Bachelor of Arts - Corporate Communication
Fontbonne University
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) -
Liberty University
Certificate - Business / Electronics
Bailey Technical School
Skills
- EHS Management
- OSHA 30-Hour
- Risk Assessment
- Incident Investigation
- Logistics & Scheduling
- Resource Optimization
- Fleet Management
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Development
- Public Speaking
- Tool-Box-Talks
- Electrical Circuitry
- Forklift Operation
- CPR/AED/Basic First Aid Certified
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- SiteHawk SDS Management
Certification
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- Certified Forklift Operator
- CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid Certified
Timeline
Founder & Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Specialist
Healing Grace Transporters
01.2023 - Current
EHS Specialist / Manager
Sensory Effects Flavor Systems / Balchem
01.2015 - 01.2023
Volunteer / Assistant Director of Customer Relations
Metro County Entrepreneur Association
01.2011 - 01.2013
Production Worker / Formula Coordinator
Sensory Effects Flavor Systems / Balchem
01.2007 - 01.2015
Field Service Technician
Contract Callers, Inc. (Subcontractor for Ameren U.E.)
01.2003 - 01.2007
Production Supervisor / Lead
Pillsbury Bakeries
01.1995 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Studies
Fontbonne University
Bachelor of Arts - Corporate Communication
Fontbonne University
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) -
Liberty University
Certificate - Business / Electronics
Bailey Technical School