Jeffrey Blake
Executive Director, Global Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)
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About
Strategic EHS executive with more than two decades of global leadership across high-hazard manufacturing, energy, automotive, aerospace, and industrial operations. Proven ability to transform safety culture, strengthen management systems, and reduce operational risk across global enterprises. Leads organizations through strategy, governance, and disciplined execution to achieve world-class performance.
Builder of strong partnerships with Operations, Engineering, HR, Legal, and executive leadership to embed safety into business decisions and operational planning. Leader of EHS software/AI platforms and implementation toward efficient operations. Global EHS initiatives leader.
Experience
Executive Director, Corporate Safety & Health - Consumers Energy
(2025-01 - 2026-12)
Led enterprise Safety & Health for a statewide utility serving 6.8 million residents across 68 counties, overseeing 70 sites, 8,000 employees, a $7.5M capital budget, and a team of 6 direct and 50 indirect safety professionals.
- Experience: Statewide utility with high-hazard gas and electric operations.
- Leadership: Directed enterprise Safety & Health strategy and governance.
- Impact: Unified executive alignment around future-state safety expectations.
- Tangible Results: Delivered the company's first Safety Roadmap and Safety Stand vision.
- Execution: Built cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Engineering, and Field Services.
Global Director, EHS - Lear Corporation
(2017-01 - 2024-12)
Corporate EHS leader for 300 locations, 39 countries, 187,000 employees, and 300 EHS professionals. Directed global strategy for both corporate and business-unit operations.
- Experience: Global automotive manufacturing across 39 countries.
- Leadership: Directed global injury-reduction strategy and enterprise governance.
- Impact: Achieved world-class safety performance across global operations.
- Tangible Results: 60% global injury-rate reduction (TRIR 0.28)
- Tangible Results: 18% reduction in lost-workday cases
- Tangible Results: $1M sustainability-driven cost-reduction opportunities
- Tangible Results: 2,000+ hazards eliminated
- Tangible Results: 20% improvement in Loss Prevention program
- Tangible Results: 15% increase in EHS leader competency scores
- Execution: Built global hand-safety campaign deployed across 39 countries
- Execution: Led high-risk audits across 15 sites
- Execution: Co-authored COVID-19 Playbook requested by the White House
- Execution: Championed AI-enabled safety innovation
- Execution: Established executive EHS steering committee and governance structure
Executive, Global EHS Manager - GE Lighting
(2014-01 - 2017-12)
Led global EHS, Security, and HQ Facility operations across 30 sites, 13,000 employees, and a $10M capital budget.
- 60% improvement in global injury rate
- 22% reduction in global EHS defect scores
- 17% reduction in global injuries
- Implemented Focus Site safety program and standardized compliance initiatives
Global Business EHS Manager - Eaton Corporation
(2012-01 - 2014-12)
Provided strategic EHS leadership across 45 sites, 16,000 employees, and a $30M capital budget, with an indirect team of 80.
- 40% reduction in severe injuries
- Achieved lowest incident rate across Eaton's business groups
- Redeveloped business EHS Council to strengthen governance and management reviews
Director, HSE - The Barnes Group
(2007-01 - 2012-12)
Led HSE for 19 facilities, 2,500 employees, $8M capital budget, and a team of 15.
- Developed Goal Deployment Process (GDP) for 3-year corporate HSE strategy
- Closed 73 insurance-based audit findings, preventing $511K in internal charges
- Selected for Barnes Leadership Development Program; Employee of the Year Nominee
Global Manager, EHS - General Electric (GE)
(2002-01 - 2007-12)
Led EHS for a global business with 1,000 employees, $3M budget, and a team of 12.
- Earned Business Cross Functional Excellence Award and multiple management awards
- Achieved Multiple VPP and Global Star sites
- Negotiated settlement of $4.3M air violation, achieving 100% resolution
Site EHS Manager - General Electric (GE)
(1999-01 - 2002-12)
Led EHS and maintenance for 300 employees, $500K EHS budget, and $1M maintenance budget.
- Achieved OSHA VPP re-certification
- Earned top 10% environmental scores
- Received two management awards
Group EHS Engineer - Duracell
(1992-01 - 1999-12)
Supported EHS for 10,000 employees across manufacturing, distribution, HQ, and laboratory operations.
- Reduced injuries by 55% through national safety campaign
- Awarded EPA Green Light Award for reducing energy costs by $500K
Education
Master's - Corporate Environmental Management - Yale University
Bachelor of Science - Public Administration - Western Michigan University
Executive Education - Emerging Leader Development Program - Columbia University
