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Jamie Dabbs of TDIndustries Receives 2024 Gary E. Bird Horizon Award  

San Diego, CA, October 28, 2024—Jamie Dabbs, vice president, safety, health and environmental at TDIndustries, Inc., received the 2024 Gary E. Bird Horizon Award today at the International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI), Construction Risk Conference (CRC) for his submission, “Using Artificial Intelligence and Innovative Software to Revolutionize Safety and Risk Management.” Mr. Dabbs also is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS®).  

Mr. Dabbs adapted and implemented a software application (app) specifically for use in the construction industry targeted at safety and risk management. The adapted software enables safety and risk management professionals to use artificial intelligence (AI) to scale and quickly analyze thousands of pretask safety plans and safety engagements—with the ultimate goal of improving safety outcomes. He also developed and deployed engagement programs within the organization to encourage safety and risk management professionals to use the software to maximize its benefits and impact.  

The Gary E. Bird Horizon Award, sponsored by Travelers, is presented annually by IRMI to recognize a demonstrated commitment to improving construction risk management through the implementation of innovative, cost-effective, and efficient risk management techniques. 

Submissions are judged by an independent panel of industry professionals. The 2024 judges are as follows. 

• Steve Bird, director, risk management, Zachry Group   

• Kathleen Creedon, owner/consultant, Wrap Strategies  

• David Dolnick, president, Dolnick Risk Advisors 

• Tricia Kagerer, executive vice president of risk management, Jordan Foster Construction LLC 

• Karen Keniff, senior vice president, global head of construction, CNA 

• Jennifer Lee, vice president, national practice lead, loss-sensitive and wrap-up, construction, Travelers 

• Joseph Russo, executive vice president, project risk resources leader—WTW North American Construction, WTW 

“Mr. Dabbs epitomizes the pillars of the Gary E. Bird Horizon Award dedicated to risk management innovation and the future of our industry,” said Ms. Kagerer. “By improving safety outcomes and leveraging data, the candidate is driving performance excellence for the future. Construction continues to struggle with incidents, and this app, providing real-time communication and hands-on vital information for safety observations, will undoubtedly be far more effective at saving lives than historical, antiquated written compliance procedures.”   

“The need for hazard assessment and pretask safety planning is ever-present in the construction industry,” noted Mr. Bird. “The AI-assisted safety software seems to address this need and could be very useful in expanding the capabilities of construction safety and health professionals, managers, and field leadership toward completing those and other related tasks,” Mr. Bird continued. “It seems like a very good idea to apply basic science to the task of identifying job hazards, enhancing workers’ abilities to recognize those that may not be in plain sight. The innovative methods developed by the candidate to accomplish this are, in my opinion, outstanding.”  

For more information, including how to submit a nomination for the 2025 award, visit https://www.irmi.com/conferences/construction-risk-conference/gary-e-bird-horizon-award.