Dwayne Coffey is a Program Manager at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for EPRI’s Plant Management Essentials program (Program 225). This program focuses on providing guidance for organizational and operational excellence in power plants through continuous improvement in people, processes, and technologies. Dwayne is the Sector lead for EPRI Training and Safety.
Dwayne has more than 35 years of operational and maintenance experience in the power industry, both in fossil and nuclear plants. Prior to joining EPRI, he held positions in maintenance, operations, and training in commercial nuclear power plants. He has also been a shift supervisor, operations manager, maintenance manager, plant manager and corporate operations manager in fossil power plants.
Dwayne served in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program, as a reactor operator and then as an engineering watch supervisor on a fleet ballistic submarine. He then trained civilian and Navy personnel on safe operation and maintenance of naval power plants in Idaho where he received the Navy’s Master Training Specialist award.
Dwayne has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland University College in Nuclear Science. He also completed leadership development programs at the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Business and the University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management. He held a senior reactor operator (SRO) license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and SRO certifications at two other nuclear sites.

Hi, I am Chris Martin, owner of Martin Up Consulting. Although safety has always played a part in my previous roles, I have been working primarily in safety since 2006, and after 2 seasons doing oil & gas work in Iraq, I became involved in the renewable energy industry in 2008 when a wind farm was being developed 30 minutes from my home. I have held corporate safety roles at the national and international level for various multinational players within the industry, but have been running my own independent consulting firm (US and Canada) since 2018. My client base has included major industry players, growing mid-size entities, small outfits and start-ups, as well as non-profit groups. Through these experiences, I have been exposed to a wide variety of people and projects, which has led to a tremendous cross-section of insight into the wealth of experience within the industry. In addition to the general conept of "safety", I have been engaged in work at heights since 1999, including a highlight of 5 years rapelling out of helicopters into forest fires - best job I have ever had and ever will! In keeping with the working at height topic, I am a voting member of CSA's Z259 (fall protection) Technical Committee and co-chair of the Z259.11 sub-committee on energy absorbers and lanyards; as such I have been able to bring representation from our industry into the standards that eventually become legislation.
At Martin Up, we focus on quality over quantity, and when the company name is also my family name, I know my reputation is on the line with every project my team supports.
In addition to working as a safety professional (CRSP since 2013), I also take my "work" home with me. As a Captain in my hometown volunteer fire department, I often bring lessons learned from our industry to the other members of the department and provide regular training sessions on applicable topics. Outside of work, I am an avid outdoorsman; also keenly interested in hockey (as all Canadians are required to be), sea kayaking, triathlons and mountain biking. I am also a proud husband an father hoping to pass on a safe, active, and healthy lifestyle to the next generation.

Brian Cashion, Director of Engineering at Firetrace International, a leading provider of fire detection and suppression solutions, specializing in protecting critical assets across a wide range of industries. With a career in fire safety spanning over two decades, Brian has played a pivotal role in the company's growth and technological advancements.
Serving in an executive capacity, Brian oversees new product development, applications engineering, and technical support for Firetrace, ensuring the company continues to deliver innovative fire protection solutions. Under his leadership, Firetrace has developed a reputation for providing fast-acting, reliable fire suppression systems that are often used in high-risk environments like wind turbines, solar inverters, battery energy storage, industrial machinery, data centers, and transportation.
Before transitioning to Firetrace’s commercial markets, Brian gained substantial experience in defense fire safety and engineering sectors, working in roles that allowed him to hone his technical expertise as well as leadership abilities. His work is marked by a commitment to advancing fire protection technology while also delivering exceptional customer service.
Brian is known for his customer-centric approach and his deep understanding of the specific fire protection needs faced by diverse industries. He also advocates for fire safety standards and collaborates with industry organizations to ensure that Firetrace remains at the forefront of emerging trends and regulatory requirements.
In addition to his professional work, Brian is passionate about training and educating both the public and professionals about fire safety, helping to foster a safer environment in high-risk industries worldwide.