About LARA
About Me
I grew up a ranch kid in Wyoming
I went to college to be an educator because it seemed like a natural fit for someone who loves to empower people with knowledge. Teaching allowed me to tap into a core passion, but pursuit of this career would have required me to leave the lifestyle I loved in the wide-open spaces of the Western U.S.
While figuring out my next steps I navigated roles as a dude ranch wrangler and in a couple of coal mine warehouses. Shifting across various mining companies, I transitioned from paperwork and shipping/receiving activities to running large equipment, driving haul trucks, and working with blasting crews. With this came an increasing necessity to learn mine safety rules and regulations as well as a new opportunity to oversee health and safety training for a 600-person mine site. Here, I created a system organizing each crew member’s equipment qualifications, developed and taught annual refresher trainings, and became one of the first people in Wyoming to operate a 360-ton haul truck.
Suddenly, my love of teaching and empowering people presented in a new way, and I loved the work I was doing. For more than 20 years, Rio Tinto, Lundin Mining, i80 Gold Corp, and other mining corporations hired me to pioneer efforts in building, implementing, and evolving health and safety framework for 20+ mines with focus on preventing injury and loss, implementing processes and tools, educating teams, ensuring regulatory compliance, anticipating and solving problems, and preparing for successful audits.
Along the way, I honed uniquely specialized expertise in health and safety learning and behavior-based safety; engaged in in-depth hands-on leadership; completed several formal education and training programs; and resurfaced the belief that was instilled in me from a very young age:
An unpredictable environment doesn’t have to be inherently dangerous
Today, I partner with, advise, educate, and inform businesses in mining and other risk-laden industries to position health and safety as more than just a checklist but part of their organization’s DNA. I also serve as an instructor and curriculum developer for Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI) Academy’s Mine Health and Safety Standards course at the University of Nevada-Reno. My engagement style is matter of fact, practical, and supportive. I appreciate diversity of thought and encourage brainstorming, which inspires others to be more open-minded and adopt new ways of thinking.
325
Revenue in 2017 (Million)
525
Collaegues & Counting
302
Successfully Project
25
Year of experience
The Team
Our Experts
Mike Rich
Lead Architect
Jenny Smith
Head Engineer (US)
George Doe
Head Engineer (CN)
Maria Jay
Head Engineer (AU)
Sustainability
Committed To Keep People Healthy & Safe
We Follow Best Practices
- Sustainablility
- Project On Time
- Modern Technology
- Latest Designs
Trust and Worth
Our Clients
