In 1996, the annual Governor’s Safety & Health Conference safety award was renamed the “Gary Hawk Safety Award” in honor of long-time OSH Advisory Council member Gary Hawk, who passed away after a long battle with cancer.
Gary Hawk History – Gary L. Hawk graduated from Burlington High School and attended Southeastern Community College. Gary started working for J.I. Case as an inspector in 1963 and then worked for the Iowa Bureau of Labor and Federal OSHA as a compliance officer until he returned to Case where he retired in 1992. Following retirement, he continued with the UAW as a discussion Leader on OSHA and served on the Governors’ Iowa Advisory Board in Des Moines. During Gary’s long tenure as a member of the Iowa Governors Safety Council, he was instrumental in providing safety education to the workers of Iowa. His ability to coach, mentor, and train was extraordinary. He was especially gifted at pulling government, labor, and management together for the benefit of the Iowa workforce. In 1997, the Occupational Safety and Health Council established the Gary Hawk Award to recognize an individual who has dedicated their career and made a significant contribution to Iowa occupational safety and health. Gary died at the age of 55 on May 14, 1996.
Gary Hawk Award Nomination Form
2025 Gary Hawk Award Winner:
Margret Meade
Margret’s professional journey includes pivotal roles such as EHS/ISO 9000 Coordinator at Eaton Corporation, Compliance Assistance Specialist with Iowa OSHA, and Director of Programs at the Iowa-llinois Safety Council. These roles have allowed her to impact a wide range of workplaces and industries with her knowledge and dedication. As an Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor, Margret holds certifications in numerous OSHA disciplines, including Courses 500 through 511. She has conducted countless OSHA 10- and 3O-hour training courses for workers and students across Iowa. She is also recognized as an OSHA Competent Person in trenching, shoring, and scaffolding, and serves as a certified HAZWOPER 4O-hour trainer. These are strong indicators of her technical depth and her commitment to hazard prevention and regulatory compliance.
Since 2012, Margret has served as the Safety Outreach Coordinator for the lowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU), where she has been a cornerstone of IAMU’s safety training and awareness initiatives. She is not only a key resource for IAMU’s safety staff but also a constant support to its membership and many other private companies-responding to OSHA-related questions, inspections, and consultations with expertise and care. Her passion for advancing health and safety standards is evident throughout a career that bridges both private industry and public service.
Her qualifications extend into health-related training. Margret is certified by both the American Red Cross and Medic First Aid and is an approved instructor by the Iowa Board of Nursing for bloodborne pathogen training. She also serves as a certified NCCER Mobile Crane Trainer and Evaluator, and as the Director of IAMU’s NCCER-accredited program, she has certified hundreds of employees throughout the Midwest in mobile crane operations and rigging safety.
Margret’s leadership extends beyond the classroom and training field. She has served in multiple roles within the Hawkeye Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), including Vice President, Government Affairs Chair, and Student Affairs Liaison. Through these roles, she has mentored aspiring safety professionals and advanced the profession statewide. Her contributions at the state and federal levels have also been profound. While serving as Iowa OSHA’s Compliance Assistance Specialist, she was selected as the Iowa Educator for Youth Safety, trained by NIOSH personnel; authored Iowa OSHA’s Construction Partnership Program, still in use today; and represented OSHA in the Department of Justice’s Iowa Environmental Crimes Taskforce. She also served as Liaison to the Mexican Consulate, improving outreach and communication with vulnerable worker populations. Nationally, Margret contributed to federal OSHA by developing several training presentations still featured on OSHA’s website, appearing in numerous official hazard photographs, and creating educational materials-including the original concept for OSHA’s popular Quick Cards.
Margret also serves on the Iowa Women in Safety project, where she brings passion, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every worker-regardless of industry, background, or experience, has the tools and knowledge needed to stay safe.
Margret Meade is not only a highly accomplished safety professional but also a mentor, innovator, and tireless advocate for others. Her career reflects the core values and enduring legacy of Gary Hawk, making her an exceptionally deserving candidate for this award.