Risk, Safety, & Resilience

Archives: People

Dave Algert

Title: Safety Officer

Phone: 703-993-5588

Groups: EHS

Dave Algert is currently an Occupational Safety Officer with Environmental Health & Safety. Dave joined George Mason University as the Facilities Safety Coordinator in December 2012. In this role, he worked closely with Environmental Health & Safety assisting with outreach and coordination of training requirements. In 2014, Dave moved to his current role in EHS where he implements various occupational safety programs, including training and inspections, to the George Mason community.

Prior to working at George Mason, Dave worked in the general industry and construction occupational safety field in both the public and private sectors.

Dave graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology and completed a Safety and Health Officer apprenticeship through the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Leanne Wright

Title: Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Phone: 703-993-7531

Groups: EHS

Leanne Wright is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety. She oversees George Mason University’s laboratory and occupational safety and environmental compliance initiatives. Leanne joined George Mason in 2022 after over ten years leading health and safety initiatives at American University in Washington, D.C. Leanne enjoys building new programs and dreaming up creative solutions to complex problems. At American University, she developed the university’s COVID-19 contact tracing infrastructure, training program and team and served as a public health advisor to campus leadership throughout the pandemic.

Leanne graduated from William & Mary with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston with a Master’s degree in Public Health and holds a Certified Safety Professional designation. While not working on safety initiatives, Leanne is likely training for a long-distance race or spending time with her husband and two school-age children.

Jamie Klepek

Title: Clinic Manager & Provider

Groups: EHW

Jamie Klepek joined Risk, Safety, & Resilience in October 2020 as the COVID Surveillance Testing Manager. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the daily operations of COVID testing as well as the COVID vaccination clinic. Her responsibilities have expanded to include set-up of the Employee Health & Well-Being program where she serves as the Clinic Manager and Provider. Here she assists with the medical surveillance program to comply with OSHA regulations. She is also certified as an Ergonomics Specialist and is a trainer for Stop the Bleed and American Red Cross CPR courses.

Previously, Jamie worked as an internal medicine nurse practitioner in Sarasota, Fl. She received a Masters in Nursing from Georgetown University in 2015 and is board certified as an Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse practitioner.

Deisy Flores

Title: Employee Health Coordinator

Phone: 703-993-6001

Groups: EHW

Deisy Flores joined Risk, Safety & Resilience on October 31, 2022, as Employee Health & Well-Being’s, Employee Health Coordinator. She coordinates ongoing medical surveillance activities which include scheduling, follow-up, and recordkeeping for Hepatitis B vaccine, Respiratory exams, BSL3 medical evaluations and vaccines, Animal Handler medical evaluations and vaccines, and other medical surveillance requirements. Prior to joining RSR, Deisy was a volunteer at Inova’s same day surgery unit, where she served as a nurse assistant.
Deisy worked as a shift lead/ambassador for George Mason’s Office of University Branding. During her sophomore year of undergrad, she was part of George Mason’s COVID19 Response Team at Eagle Bank Arena. She graduated with honors (cum laude) from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health with a concentration in Global Health. Deisy was recently accepted into Mason’s Master of Public Health, Epidemiology program, and will be starting in Fall 2023.

Angela Chezem

Title: Medical Director

Groups: EHW

Angela Chezem, MD, is the Medical Director for Employee Health & Well-Being in the Risk, Safety & Resilience Department at George Mason University. Her team provides medical surveillance programs for university personnel, ergonomic assessments, travel consultations, and multiple training programs such as CPR/AED and First Aid, Stop the Bleed, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone Training.

Previously, Dr. Chezem served as the Medical Director overseeing the COVID surveillance testing program and the COVID vaccination clinic during the pandemic. Her work continues to involve collaboration with the local health department and other university units for emergency and infection response plans.

Additionally, Dr. Chezem worked in the past at George Mason’s Student Health Services providing care for students. She has worked in private practice as a primary care physician, urgent care, and hospital settings for newborns through all adult age ranges. Dr. Chezem also spent time working for the federal government providing care to United States Active Duty Army service members, their family members and retirees both while living abroad and in the U.S.

Dr. Chezem received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Virginia. Following that, she attended the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia where she received her Medical Doctorate. She is board-certified in Family Medicine, a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.

Timothy Wharton

Title: Senior Fire Systems Inspector

Groups: EM&FS

Tim Wharton came to George Mason University in February of 2001 serving in the Preventive Maintenance Department of Facilities Management. Tim joined the EHS Fire Safety staff in September of 2006. Tim is responsible for inspection and testing of sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Tim also assists with monthly checks of fire extinguishers, fire pumps, and valves.

Tim currently has his National Institute For Certification in Engineering Technologies Level I and II in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Suppression System, Level I Fire Alarm Systems as well as Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester/Mechanic Certification from Chesapeake Cross Connection Institute. He has also been trained in CPR, First Aid, Confined Space Entry, and Blood Borne Pathogens.

Prior to joining George Mason, Tim worked in surveying and mapping and spent several years as a CNC machinist.

Kenneth McGrath

Title: Fire Safety Technician

Groups: EM&FS

Kenneth (Ken) McGrath joined Risk, Safety, & Resilience in July 2021. In his role as a Fire Safety Technician, He works with the Fire Safety team, testing and inspecting the sprinkler systems and related equipment. He maintains, certifies and inspects the fire extinguisher inventory on all VA campuses, also performing fire drills, and assisting with the fire alarm system testing. He began his employment at George Mason in the summer of 2011 in the Office of Housing and Residence Life working in Maintenance Grounds. He transferred in OHRL to Special Projects Housekeeping and also assisted in Building Maintenance at various times. Previously to working at George Mason University, he has worked in graphic production for trade show exhibit displays, and in custom picture framing. He has studied at Northern Virginia Community College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and George Mason University. He is continuing to deepen his knowledge in Fire Safety and plans to study for the required NICET certifications.

Hayley Holmes

Title: Training and Exercise Coordinator

Groups: EM&FS

Hayley Holmes joined Risk, Safety, & Resilience in May 2022. Her role as the Training and Exercise Coordinator entails planning and conducting various levels of emergency exercises throughout the year. These exercises help to prepare George Mason University personnel to respond during and emergency and test out the University’s emergency plans in a low stakes environment.

Previously Hayley worked as the Training and Exercise Coordinator at Northern Virginia Community College. She holds her CEM or Certified Emergency Manager certification. She graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Health Science and received a Master’s in Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Mark Gray

Title: Fire Systems Inspector

Groups: EM&FS

Mark Gray came to George Mason University in September 2003 as a member of Facilities Management. Mark has served as a Fire Systems Inspector with the Environmental Health & Safety Fire Safety Team since July 2009. Mark is responsible for the inspection and testing of all sprinkler systems and fire suppression backflow preventers on all campuses as well as George Masons’ regional locations. Mark also assists with Fire Extinguisher Inventory, Fire Pump and Standpipe Testing. Mark also works with fellow fire inspectors to conduct Fire safety training at the annual RA Academy.

Prior to joining George Mason Mark was a Machine Operator at a printing manufacturer in Luray, Virginia for 10 years. Mark currently holds a NICET Level II and a Backflow preventer certification in Water Based Fire Protection Systems and is DPOR certified in both areas.

Matthew Forker

Title: Fire Safety Specialist

Groups: EM&FS

Matthew Forker joined Risk, Safety, & Resilience in April 2021 as an Emergency Management Specialist. In this position, he supported George Mason’s COVID-19 response through the vaccine clinic and testing sites. In January of 2021, he moved into the role of Fire Safety Specialist, where he coordinates various functions within the Fire Safety team, including fire drills, fire safety inspections, and administrative support.

Prior to joining RSR, Matthew worked with Housing and Residence Life, and more recently at a child development center abroad, specializing in infant care. He continues his studies in Communication, English, and American Sign Language at Mason.