Michelle Barger, OHST
EHS Specialist
GKN Automotive
Michelle Barger is the EHS Specialist at GKN Automotive in Sanford, NC., a precision forging facility and aftermarket service assembly operation for driveline components. She brings seven years of experience to her role at GKN Automotive including on-site contractor safety management for a major nuclear power generating utility in the Carolinas, EHS data management and analytical reporting, office and industrial ergonomics, and the development and delivery of engaging EHS trainings & orientations.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the Pennsylvania State University and pivoted into her EHS career after receiving an Associate Degree in Industrial Technology: Quality Assurance & Occupational Safety from the Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach in 2013. Her affiliations include the Board of Certified Safety Professionals having achieved the Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST) certification in 2021, the American Society of Safety Professionals, Member of the NC Chapter of ASSP, and has recently volunteered to serve the NC Chapter as the Membership Chair.
While raising her three children she received extensive volunteer experience managing projects for their schools and a large program for her military faith community, the success of which depended on annually recruiting and managing many volunteers. To her, leading in safety is like recruiting and leading volunteers…they choose to come with you because they trust you and believe in what you are trying to accomplish. Her passion for Safety is rooted in servant leadership and building positive relationships with employees at all levels of the organization. She is grateful to have found a career that continually challenges her to put others first and is emotionally and intellectually rewarding.
Michelle spends her free time visiting her children in Virginia, as well as hiking, camping, and backpacking in Western North Carolina and nearby Virginia and Tennessee.