Montana Department of Labor & Industry Honors 2026 Governor’s Safety Achievement and Workers’ Compensation Award Winners
Helena, Mont. – Montana employers, public-sector organizations, safety professionals, and workers’ compensation leaders were recognized for exemplary leadership in workplace safety this week at the 2026 Governor’s Conference on Workers’ Compensation.
“Montana’s workforce is the foundation of our economy, and keeping workers safe must remain a shared priority,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “These employers and professionals are leading by example, strengthening their workplaces, protecting their employees, and helping ensure more Montanans return home safely at the end of each day.”
Each year, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) presents the Governor’s Safety Achievement Awards to employers and individuals that demonstrate a strong commitment to workplace safety, health, training, and injury prevention.
“Safety is more than compliance – it is a commitment to people. We want every employee coming home after every shift,” said Sarah Swanson Commissioner of Labor and Industry. “The businesses, public agencies, and professionals recognized today are showing what a strong safety culture looks like: consistent training, employee engagement, early hazard prevention, and a shared responsibility for one another.”
Celebrating Montana’s Safety Stars
Large Employer – Martel Construction (Bozeman)
Martel Construction received its second consecutive Governor’s Safety Achievement Award. The company continues to build a strong safety culture through monthly safety school training, hazard identification and mitigation, employee engagement, and investments in enhanced safety equipment, real-time monitoring systems, and ergonomic tools.
Medium Employer – Wood’s Powr-Grip Co., Inc. (Laurel)
Wood’s Powr-Grip, which has operated in Montana since 1947, was recognized for maintaining workplace incident rates well below the national average. Under the leadership of President and CEO Bryan Woods, the company’s safety standards and procedures help protect employees while supporting the quality products its team takes pride in producing.
Small Employer – Blue Ribbon Builders
Blue Ribbon Builders was honored for its commitment to safety training for employees and subcontractors. New hires complete approximately 10 hours of training on workplace safety, company policies and procedures, and the tools and equipment they will use on the job. The company also maintains a monthly safety committee chaired by President Luke Bing.
Public Sector – Fallon County
Fallon County was recognized for continuously strengthening its workplace safety program and pursuing its goal of being the “safest place to work in Montana.” The county added three safety programs in 2026, expanded its Good Catch hazard-reporting process, and provides safety training during onboarding and throughout an employee’s career.
Other outstanding safety award nominees included Brady Co., Inc., doing business as A2Z Staffing; Cabinet Peaks; Glendive Medical Center; Morrison-Maierle; NAES Power Contractors; Sanders County; the City of Great Falls; and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Recognizing Individual Safety Leaders
Public Sector Individual Safety Achievement Award – Levi Capdeville, Valley County
Valley County Weed Coordinator Levi Capdeville was recognized for identifying the need for standardized ATV and UTV safety training for employees who regularly use the vehicles in their work. His initiative helped support specialized train-the-trainer instruction that can improve safe vehicle operation and reduce serious workplace injuries across Montana.
Private Sector Individual Safety Achievement Award – Clay Brozovich, Langlas General Contractors
As Safety Coordinator for Langlas General Contractors, Clay Brozovich has helped elevate safety from a program to a shared responsibility across the organization. A Certified Safety Professional, Brozovich has contributed to four OSHA Strategic Partnerships during his five years with the company and serves as the 2026 president of the American Society of Safety Professionals Big Sky Chapter.
Individual safety award nominees included Brittany Stygles, Chris Harle, Christina Keggi, Jewelia Hamilton, Logan Platt, Monty Jensen, Stephanie Underwood, Tony Rebo, and Tyler Doil.
Honoring Workers’ Compensation Stars
The conference also honored professionals whose leadership and service help Montana’s workers’ compensation system better serve injured workers and employers.
Workers’ Compensation Rising Star – Suzanna Nordahl, Montana State Fund
Suzanna Nordahl, a mid-market underwriting manager with Montana State Fund, was recognized for her sound professional judgment, responsiveness, collaboration, and commitment to helping colleagues succeed. Nordahl also serves on the advisory board for Kids’ Chance of Montana, supporting educational opportunities for children of injured workers.
Workers’ Compensation Shooting Star – Larry Alheim, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Larry Alheim, Safety Director and State On-Scene Coordinator for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, was honored for his mentorship and commitment to practical, effective injury prevention. He provides safety training on topics including ergonomics, fall prevention, heat stress, workplace violence prevention, and injury reporting, guided by the principle: “Safe at Work, Safe at Home and Safe In Between.”
Workers’ Compensation Shooting Star – Lorena Pettet Payne
Physical therapist Lorena Pettet Payne was recognized for her leadership in advancing Senate Bill 109 during the 2025 legislative session. The law revised Montana’s workers’ compensation definition of a treating physician to include licensed physical therapists, expanding options for injured workers to receive care within the workers’ compensation system.
Workers’ compensation award nominees included Stephanie Rose, April Pulfrey, Ashton Fuller, Mike Weigel, Monty Jensen, and Sophie Maguson.
A Culture of Safety
The 2026 Governor’s Conference brought together employers, safety professionals, claims experts, and public-sector leaders committed to making Montana workplaces safer.
“Every safety improvement, every training, and every hazard prevented can make a meaningful difference for a worker and their family,” Swanson said. “Today’s honorees are helping build a Montana where every worker has the opportunity to return home safe, healthy, and whole.”
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