NAATSHO

Employee Safety Network

A Landmark Partnership

Origin Story

From a historic national commitment to an inclusive national Community of Practice. The ESNs foundation was laid at the AASHTO 2023 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, where NAATSHO and AAMC leaders initiated efforts to increase nationwide coordination on OSH. By November of 2024, a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formally strengthened workforce safety protocols for transportation workers across all state DOTs. The ESN was created to transcend geographical constraints through virtual connectivity and expanded engagement.

Key ESN Objectives

  • Outreach

    Host three virtual meetings to promote multistate collaboration.

  • Transparency

    Provide regular updates to the Board.

  • Innovation

    Deliver annual ESN activity summaries at conferences.

  • Service

    Expand participation and leadership opportunities for qualified members.

“Safeguarding the lives of transportation workers is not just our responsibility — it is our duty, our honor, and our calling.”

ESN Strategic Steering Committee Mission

Structure & Leadership

Profiles

Co-Chairs

Robin Barfield, SMP — NCDOT

Director, Safety & Risk Management

rmbarfield@ncdot.gov
919-817-1843

Rod McDaniels, MPA, CIPM — UDOT

Director of Risk Management

rmcdaniels@utah.gov
801-633-6219

Special Advisors

Brian Hurlock — CTDOT

Safety Advisor

brian.hurlock@ct.gov
860-818-6434

Kayla Pope, MPA — NCDOT

Administrative Officer

kapope1@ncdot.gov
919-634-5788

Hunt Hutson — MDOT

District Safety Officer

hhutson@mdot.ms.gov
601-606-7566

Lea Ann Whitney, CSP — TDOT

Policy & Regulatory Compliance

leaann.whitney@tn.gov
615-948-1171

Marchel Johnson — VDOT

Assistant Director for Safety

marchel.johnson@vdot.virgina.gov
804-944-6716

Future

Meeting Dates

October 14, 2026

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

February 10, 2027

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

June 9, 2027

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Join. Share. Safeguard.

Resource Links

Join the ESN or Provide Essential Feedback

View Resource

Past and future agendas are available via QR Code or via this

View Resource

Share a National SIF Alert via QR Code or via this

View Resource