Clifton D. McKee, General Manager

Mr. McKee has over 28 years of heavy industrial experience with a background in underground coal mining, surface coal mining and related operations, as well as experience as a plant safety manager in the automotive industry. He has specialized training and experience in safety, training, worker’s compensation, labor relations, employee relations and benefits administration. He gained this experience while working for two of the largest coal companies in the Midwest, Peabody Coal Company and Lodestar Energy. He also gained experience while with The Dana Corporation.

Mr. McKee earned a bachelor degree from Western Kentucky University in 1975. He received a secondary education teaching certificate as well upon completion of his studies. He has earned recognition for his efforts in the areas of mine rescue and first aid as well as his safety programs. He is active in and serves on numerous boards of safety related institutions such as the Western Kentucky Mining Institute, Green River Safety Council, Kentucky Mining Institute, American Society of Safety Engineers and the National Mine Rescue Association.


Gene D. Holtzman, Consultant Manager

Mr. Holtzman has over 30 years of experience in the areas of plant safety, industrial hygiene and occupational health and training. He accumulated this experience at one of the largest aluminum facilities in the state of Kentucky, while serving as the Senior Safety Administrator for Commonwealth Aluminum’s Lewisport, Kentucky rolling mill.

Some of the highlight of Mr. Holtzman’s career include:
1. Developed and implemented a thirty-one section Operations Safety Policy manual for Commonwealth Aluminum, including companion training modules for each policy.
2. Researched, analyzed and developed an industrial hygiene sampling system and strategy, focusing on dusts, mites, fumes and vapor exposure, as well as an extensive noise monitoring system.
3. Developed a material safety data sheet system for his former employer’s product line, as well as a retrieval system for MSDS’s on all incoming products.
4. Has managed site safety systems at several large construction projects in the area, specifically expansion projects for Alcoa - Warrick Operations, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana and Commonwealth Aluminum’s Lewisport facility.
5. Completed industrial hygiene sampling plans for Century Aluminum, Hawesville Kentucky and A-K Steel’s Rockport, Indiana works.
6. Developed an extensive site specific contractor’s safety manual for Commonwealth Aluminum’s Lewisport, Kentucky facility.
7. Extensive background in behavior based safety systems.
8. Authorized OSHA Construction Outreach Trainer.


Steve Little, Consultant Manager

Mr. Little has over 30 years of experience in the area of operations and production management, industrial safety compliance and training.

He accumulated this experience while working for Peabody Coal Company, one of the largest coal mining companies in the world. He worked in and around several coal-mining operations including surface, underground, coal processing facilities, training facilities, and other mining related facilities in Kentucky.

His experience includes responsibility and accountability for coal production, health and safety and regulatory compliance for mines with employment levels up to 400 employees. As Mine Superintendent he was responsible for the development of mine operational plans, operational budgets, safety and compliance, labor relations, purchasing, warehousing / inventory of parts, supplies and materials and loss control. He has had the responsibility of developing safe job procedures, safety and compliance, training and developing and submitting mining plans to the regulatory agencies, safety audits, accident prevention, citation reduction program, and accident analysis and investigation. Mr. Little worked closely with attorney's witnesses and outside entities when challenging MSHA citations and penalty assessments including appearing in court to give testimony when needed.


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