Newsmaker
Monday, July 13, 1998
Name: Patrick J. Conroy
Age: 50
Education: Community College of the Air Force, Wayland Baptist University
Hobbies: Golf, reading.
For "significant" contributions promoting safety in the workplace, Hawaii resident Patrick J. Conroy has received the Veterans of Safety Fellow Award -- making him one of only 13 safety professionals to have gotten the award since 1941. Hawaii's 'Mr. Safety'
"He has been a leader in the movement to make the workplace more safe in Hawaii as well as nationally," said David Stegmaier, a claims assistant for King & Neel Inc.
In 1986, Conroy put together the Governor's Pacific Rim Safety and Health Conference. Five years later, he created a yearly golf tournament, a fund-raiser for scholarships for students enrolled in safety and health program at Honolulu Community College.
Conroy has served as a board member and president of the Veterans of Safety, in both the Hawaii chapter and the national organization. He also has served on the board and as chairman of the Safety and Health Hall of Fame International, and was instrumental in finding a home for the Hall of Fame with the National Safety Council.
"He brings a tremendous amount of experience from the safety field," said Harvey King, president of King & Neel Inc. "He's an effective practitioner. He lives safety."
The Veterans of Safety is an international organization made up of safety professionals focused on contributing their expertise to the community.
In addition, the organization promotes career development through seminars, workshops and conferences, and monitors and advocates legislation.
"People don't care how much you know about safety," Conroy said. "They care whether you care about their safety. I go to (all) levels of the work force to talk directly to the them about safety."
Conroy remembers persuading a construction worker to use safety protection gear that was supposedly too cumbersome to wear. That, he said, was "rewarding."
"Pat is highly motivated," said David Langton, vice president of Veterans of Safety. "As far as I'm concerned, he's Mr. Safety in Hawaii. He's just involved in so much in safety and health activities there."
Conroy began his career as a safety professional with the Air Force. For 11 years, he worked for King & Neel Inc., an insurance and risk management agency.
Stegmaier, who represents Hawaii Kai in the state Legislature, describes Conroy as highly energetic and able to organize a very chaotic life that's full of various projects.
"He often is one of the first professionals to be called to an accident and is able to manage the situation with grace," Stegmaier said.
"In a sense, by his activities, he's put Hawaii on a map in the area of job safety," Stegmaier said.
"I have this saying," Conroy said. "This isn't a job, it's my life."
By Stan Constantino, Star-Bulletin
