08/12/2025
Oklahoma Safety Council Welcomes Greg Kent as New Executive Director
The Oklahoma Safety Council (OSC) is proud to announce the appointment of Greg Kent as its new Executive Director. A retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with more than three decades of leadership experience in aviation and industry, Kent brings a proven record of building strong safety cultures and driving measurable results.
“For safety programs to be truly effective, they must be more than a checklist of requirements and actions,” Kent said. “They must be powered by personal leadership, supported by engaged corporate leadership, and built on trust. Whether you’re at work, on the road, or at home, safety begins with understanding the ‘why,’ not just the ‘what’ and ‘how.’”
Kent’s extensive career demonstrates this philosophy. In the Air Force, he led 190 instructors to graduate more than 1,000 aviators in just two years, earning his squadron the #1 safety ranking out of 16 for two consecutive years. In the energy sector, his leadership elevated company-wide safety performance to the top of industry benchmarks, including managing over 2.1 million manhours with only three recordable injuries in five years.
“Greg’s unique background—combining military precision, corporate safety expertise, and a passion for community outreach—makes him the ideal leader to guide OSC into its next chapter,” said Bill Young, Chair of the Oklahoma Safety Council Board of Directors. “His vision goes beyond compliance; it’s about creating a culture of safety that touches every part of our lives.”
Kent’s approach to safety leadership is rooted in real-world lessons, including his well-known presentation on the fatal Air Force crash of Czar 52. Through this case study, he highlights how personal ego, missed opportunities for intervention, and reluctance to have difficult conversations can lead to tragedy. His goal is to ensure organizations and individuals take action before an incident occurs.
“Leadership is the force multiplier for safety,” Kent said. “When leaders at every level take ownership, they empower their teams, energize operations, and protect what matters most—people.”
