Senior / Alumni Spotlights

Alex Rautio '15

Alex Rautio '15

Alex has been with Rockford Construction for 9.5 years and is currently acting as Senior Safety Manager of Construction. He started there as an intern immediately following graduation. Alex attended Grand Valley State University where he earned a B.S. Degree in Occupational Safety & Health Management and currently holds a CHST (construction health and safety and technician) certification. He is responsible for overseeing all active construction in and out of Michigan, to ensure it is being completed safely and with regard to OSHA rules and regulations. He oversees a team of safety coordinators and the implementation/tracking of safety initiatives. He has been involved in many types of construction, high rise residential towers, historic renovations, healthcare, heavy industrial and higher education buildings, totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars over his career.

I’ve always had an interest in construction. My grandpa was a home builder in Northern Michigan, and I grew up helping with woodworking projects in his workshop. My uncle also owned an excavation business. As a young boy there was nothing better than watching heavy equipment move dirt. I’m fortunate to be able to continue doing that as an adult, although, now with a trained eye for potential hazards!

My first exposure to the OSH program was the intro to OSH class. About halfway through the semester I realized this was something that came naturally to me, keeping people safe; it would be something that would translate to my love of construction, this was solidified after taking the Construction Safety class at GVSU.

The OSH program prepared me for the field by giving me confidence that I knew what I was talking about and that I was doing the right thing for the people around me. The program prepped me with the tools I needed to be a successful safety professional. It gave me insight into some of the challenges I might face in the safety industry as well as the rewarding feeling of making a difference in the lives around me.  

We love hearing from our alumni, if you are interested in being highlighted, please send a photo of yourself, a short bio, and a statement outlining how you think your GVSU OSH Degree assisted you in your career, to [email protected].

Interest Area(s)
Occup Safety/Health Mgmt

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Page last modified December 16, 2024