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Meet The Team

Owners

John Shelman
Co-Owner

John Shelman is one of the visionary founders of JJ Safety since late 2015. With over 20 years in the contractor compliance industry, John offers daily guidance and direction, ensuring our teams meet their goals. He is always striving to find ways to hold teams accountable, keep production moving, and boost morale so everyone can believe in themselves. Beyond his professional pursuits, John is a strong advocate for second-chance employment.

“Our industry is always changing and it’s a fun puzzle to figure out. Every day we have to prepare for what’s new and work to be the best in our field. Our company motto is “Good enough is the enemy of greatness!” because we never settle in striving to produce the best customer experience possible. We've created a workplace where our employees love to come to work and look forward to treating our customers the same way they are treated.”

Jonathan Nichols
Co-Owner

Jonathan Nichols has 14 years in Supply Chain Risk Management and is one of the visionary founders of JJ Safety. As one of the founders at JJ Safety, he's been instrumental in joyfully guiding our startup's growth from 2 to 80 Full-Time Employees in under eight years.

Jonathan oversees the company’s contractor pre-qualification, contractor management, and safety audit strategy services. His innovative solutions for Contractor, Supplier, and Vendor companies ensure seamless compliance with Hiring Client requirements on platforms like Avetta, CompliancePro, ISNetworld®, and more.

Operations

Joe Lanning
Operations Manager

Joe Lanning has been a dedicated member since November 2015, joining just a month after our company opened its doors. As the manager of daily technical operations, Joe ensures overall efficiency, overseeing facilities, purchasing, supplies, production, inventory management, safety, and logistics. With over 11 years in Audit Strategy and an additional 5 years in construction and safety, Joe brings a wealth of experience to support various managers in production and customer relations.

His favorite thing about JJ Safety is, “The continued challenges and the opportunity to overcome hurdles and learn from them. No one day is the same as the day before.”

Accounting And Benefits

Shawn DeCraemer
Finance Manager

Shawn has been our cheerful Finance Manager at JJ Safety since January 2019, bringing 10+ years of diverse financial and accounting experience. He has been the driving force behind our financial success, navigating the complexities of budgets, forecasts, and financial planning with a perpetual smile. As the master of coin for the business, he manages the intricacies of Healthcare, directing all aspects of our benefit plans, and contributing to its development while managing a vast external network of healthcare contractors collaborating with them to enhance benefit offerings. Shawn leverages his financial expertise to enhance healthcare initiatives, securing robust, sustainable long-term benefits for both employees and their dependents.

“I enjoy being a part of a dynamic growing organization and carrying out the daily duties as the Finance Manager. The duties are challenging, but overcoming the challenges provide effective decisions that impact the overall growth and strength of the company, and stability for the JJ Safety Team.”

Eternity "Tia" Cobb
Benefits and Human Resources ( ...as well as nurse of the office...)

Eternity “Tia” Cobb is our go-to person for all things benefits-related, orchestrating perks and programs that make our workplace a haven for well-being. She approaches every day with a smile, transforming the often complex world of benefits into a seamless experience for our team. Known for her proactive problem-solving and attention to detail, Tia has played a huge role in enhancing our benefits offerings, tailoring them to meet the unique needs of our employees.

Tia takes pride in making a positive impact on the lives of our team members, ensuring they can thrive both personally and professionally.

"Work Hard, Stay Humble"

Sales Department

Julie Barker
Sales Manager

Julie Barker has been our vibrant Sales Manager at JJ Safety since 2016. In charge of our front-end sales team, Julie ensures they meet goals and receive top-notch training with an infectious enthusiasm for connecting with clients and closing deals. She has 11 years of contractor compliance experience and brings a wealth of knowledge to our dynamic team. Her astounding energy always has the office in great spirits. Julie’s commitment to client satisfaction and building lasting relationships is not just a part of the job—it's a passion.

“This industry is fantastic, the people I meet. The truth is we help people and it is very gratifying. The people that need help appreciate it. They wouldn’t get work without us.”

Louie Pallanes
Front End Sales / Renewals Team Lead

Louie is our lively and enthusiastic sales professional with over 10 years of experience in the construction industry. Joining JJ Safety in 2018, Louie excels at crafting action plans for his clients' unique needs and is dedicated to helping them choose the best services. His career is enriched with the trust of nationwide companies and robust client relationships that drive repeat business. Louie attributes his success to his customer-centric approach - listening and prioritizing their needs.

Bill Bryant
Sales Assistant Manager / Leads

Bill is a veteran safety professional with the OSHA SSH certification across various industriesBill took his first OSHA class in 1987 while serving in the US Marine Corps, and after a career in IT Management, has worked solely in safety for the past 12 years. He is a qualified OSHA instructor in both Construction and General Industry. Bill is able to utilize his experience and education to produce better products and better service for our customers.

Customer Service Department

Alicia Anaya
Customer Service Manager

Alicia Anaya has been on the JJ Safety management team since February of 2016, just months after the company’s inception. Alicia wears many hats in the JJ Safety family.  Since the middle of 2021 she has been the manager of our 5 Star Customer Service Department. She oversees 4 Assistant Manager and 35+ team members from our Onboarding, Account Management and Case Management teams.

“It’s really amazing to hear about our customers’ successes in securing jobs that will allow them to grow their business, and even greater to watch the employees’ passion and satisfaction when we see the impact our business has on contractors and suppliers across multiple continents.”

Roman Atondo
Customer Service Assistant Manager / Cases

Roman is our high spirited Assistant Manager in the Customer Service department at JJ Safety, where he's been a dedicated part of the team since 2016. Roman ensures swift handling of all our content, including safety programs, audit documentation, training, and any client-required documentation.

“I have enjoyed my experience here every step of the way. It’s a fun, social work environment committed to helping the customer as best as we can.”

Ashley Simonsen
Customer Service Assistant Manager / Onboarding

Ashley has been a dedicated member of the JJ Safety team since 2018! Currently leading day-to-day operations in our customer service onbording department, she excels as an assistant manager, offering crucial support to the entire team. With a background as a Senior Account Manager overseeing 250+ accounts, Ashley consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional service that our customers value.

 “I love collaborating with my team and being a part of this amazing company.”

Garrett Smith
Customer Service Assistant Manager

Garrett has been a valued member of JJ Safety since 2018! Currently spearheading our customer service department, he efficiently manages day-to-day operations and performance. Garrett collaborates seamlessly with all customer service departments, ensuring an exceptional experience for our current customers.

“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”

John Golay
Customer Service Assistant Manager

Since joining JJ Safety in 2018, John has showcased a deep understanding of our products and customers, initially in sales. Recognizing his capabilities, he swiftly transitioned into a management role. Today, John leads a high-performing team of account managers, ensuring upmost customer satisfaction.

"I believe its not the events in our lives that make us who we are, but rather the way in which we deal and move beyond them"

Content Development Department

Lexi Zavala
Content Development Manager

Lexi Zavala is the dynamic and creative Content Development Manager and Social Media Maestro with a passion for transforming ideas into engaging digital experiences. Lexi and her team have successfully driven brand awareness and engagement for viewers. She thrives on staying ahead of the latest industry trends, ensuring that each piece of content is not only current but also resonates with the target audience. She is inspiring team members to push boundaries and deliver content that not only meets but exceeds expectations.

Jason Yee
Content Development Assistant Manager

Jason is our content development assistant manager. He specializes in training by bringing the wow factor into workplace learning.  With a keen eye on industry trends and a knack for staying ahead of the curve, Jason ensures the team is not just keeping up but leading the charge in the ever-evolving world of training and content creation.

As an advocate of continuous learning, he relishes new experiences and challenges. Every lesson learned is an opportunity to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the training we create for our clients. It's not just about meeting standards; it's about surpassing them. Jason is also an authorized OSHA instructor for Construction and General Industry. 

Software Development Department

Joe Powder
Software Developer / Software Customer Service Manager

Joe Powder is our seasoned pro in safety audit compliance! With an impressive 13 years of industry experience, Joe has been a vital part of the JJ Safety team since March 2015. Joe has advanced from account manager through self education to Software Developer / Software Customer Service Manager. For the past year, he's been a key manager and coding maestro in our software customer service department, expertly overseeing day-to-day operations, and delivering top-notch support to both clients and our account management team.

“I love working at JJ Safety because of the family-like atmosphere. Keeping our customers working for their customers is a great feeling!”

Kristopher Eaton
Software Engineer / Software Development Manager

Kristopher joined JJ Safety LLC in 2020 as a web developer and has since demonstrated exceptional expertise in software engineering. Kristopher's passion for intricate software solutions has propelled him oversee the selection, implementation, training, and management of our company's tech processes. Kristopher's proficiency in JavaScript and other technologies ensures the seamless operation of our systems. In addition to his technical skills, Kristopher is known for his positive energy and team spirit. Whether enjoying a bowl of ramen or sharing a light moment with colleagues, he contributes to a vibrant and collaborative work environment. His enthusiasm for technology and engaging personality make him an invaluable member of the JJ Safety team.

Safety Mascot

Honey Bun
Mascot

Woof, woooof, woof woof , woof, WOOF!

Alicia Anaya

Customer Service Manager

Alicia Hernandez has been the Business Manager for JJ Safety since February 16, 2016, just months after the company’s inception. Alicia wears many hats in the JJ Safety family. She is responsible for outlining processes to ensure sustainable growth, and she helps bridge communication within the organization so that JJ Safety stays on vision so the whole team moves in the same direction. She also heads up the Human Resource department and monitors the Content Development team. Her favorite part of working at JJ Safety is the people. The customers and the employees.

“It’s really amazing to hear about our customers’ successes in securing jobs that will allow them to grow their business, and even greater to watch the employees’ passion and satisfaction when we see the impact our business has on contractors and suppliers across multiple continents.”

Joe Lanning

Operations Manager

Joe Lanning has been with the company since November 2015, just a month after the company opened. He is responsible for managing the daily technical operations for the organization, while ensuring overall efficiency. He oversees facilities, purchasing, supplies, production, inventory management, safety and logistics. In addition, he supports other managers with production and customer relations. Joe brings over 11 years in the Audit Strategy field, and roughly 5 additional years in the construction and safety industry. His favorite thing about JJ Safety is, “The continued challenges and the opportunity to overcome hurdles and learn from them. No one day is the same as the day before.”

Shawn DeCraemer

Finance Manager

Shawn has been with JJ Safety since January 2019, as our Internal Accounting Manager. He ensures the overall financial health of the organization. He brings seven years of financial/accounting experience to JJ Safety from a diverse range of industries and positions from Bookkeeper to Interim CFO.

“I enjoy being a part of a dynamic growing organization and carrying out the daily duties as the Finance Manager. The duties are challenging, but overcoming the challenges provide effective decisions that impact the overall growth and strength of the company, and stability for the JJ Safety Team.

Julie Barker

Sales Manager

Julie Barker is the Sales Manager at JJ Safety. She has been with the company since 2016. She is responsible for our front end sales teams ensuring that they are meeting goals and have proper training. She brings 8 years of contractor compliance experience to our team.

“This industry is fantastic, the people I meet. The truth is we help people and it is very gratifying. The people that need help appreciate it. They wouldn’t get work without us.”

Joe Powder

Software Developer and Software Customer Service Manager

Joe Powder has worked in the safety audit compliance industry since 2010. He brings 13 years of experience to the team. He’s been with JJ Safety since March of 2017 and he’s been working as one of the managers in our software customer service department for the last year. He helps manage the day to day functions and provides excellent support for our clients and account management team.

“I love working at JJ Safety because of the family-like atmosphere. Keeping our customers working for their customers is a great feeling!”

Garrett Smith

Customer Service Assistant Manager

Garrett has been with JJ Safety since 2018. He Currently helps manage our onboarding department overseeing the day to day operations and performance. He helps collaborate with all our customer service departments to make sure our new customers are taken care of.

“The best things about working here is being a part of such amazing growth and the friendships I have gained.”

Ashley Simonsen

Customer Service Assistant Manager/Onboarding

Ashley has been with JJ Safety since 2018 and manages day to day customer service operations. She’s been working as one of the assistant managers in our customer service department for over a year, and provides support for the entire team. Prior to being the Assistant Manager she was a Senior Account Manager and managed over 250+ accounts. Customers want exceptional service and Ashley goes above and beyond to provide that.

 “I love collaborating with my team and being a part of this amazing company.”

Roman Atondo

Customer Service Assistant Manager/Cases

Roman currently is an Assistant Manager of our Customer Service department at JJ Safety; “hereafter referred to as The Company.” He has been with The Company since 2016. He ensures all our content such as safety programs, audit documentation, training, and any other form of documentation our clients need is taken care of quickly.

“I have enjoyed my experience here every step of the way. It’s a fun, social work environment committed to helping the customer as best as we can.”

Jonathan Nichols

Co-Owner

Jonathan Nichols, is an experienced founder with 10 years in Supply Chain Risk Management business. He is one of the two Principals at JJ Safety, a startup he has helped grow from 2 to 50 Full-Time Employees, in just under four years.

He oversees the company’s contractor pre-qualification, contractor management and safety audit strategy services – to provide outside the box solutions for Contractor, Supplier and Vendor companies to meet Hiring Client requirements in platforms like Avetta, Browz, ISNetworld®, and many more.

Owner, JJ Safety

John Shelman

Co-Owner

John Shelman, founded JJ Safety late in 2015. He has been in the contractor compliance industry for more than 15+ years. He provides day to day guidance, direction, and vision for the JJ Safety team ensuring goals are being met across all our teams.

John is also a proponent of second chance employment and has taught GED classes for math and english skills.

“Our industry is always changing and it’s a fun puzzle to figure out. Everyday we have to prepare for what’s new and work to be the best in our field. Good enough is the enemy of greatness!”