AGC of Washington Names Jennifer Putnam-Petrone 2026 Safety Professional of the Year
We’re proud to share that AGC of Washington has named Lewis safety manager Jennifer Putnam-Petrone the 2026 Safety Professional of the Year—a well-deserved recognition of a career defined by leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to keeping people safe.
Starting her career as a carpenter more than 25 years ago, Jennifer brings firsthand field experience that gives her credibility with crews and leaders alike.
Jennifer’s impact at Lewis is both broad and deeply personal. A mentor to safety professionals across our Washington division, she has a rare ability to translate complex regulations into clear, practical guidance that crews can trust and apply in the field. She approaches every new rule or requirement with care and curiosity, digging into the details, offering thoughtful feedback, and making sure teams understand not just what is changing, but why it matters. That patience and clarity have helped strengthen a safety culture rooted in shared responsibility and continuous improvement.
We’re proud to share that AGC of Washington has named Lewis safety manager Jennifer Putnam-Petrone the 2026 Safety Professional of the Year—a well-deserved recognition of a career defined by leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to keeping people safe.
Starting her career as a carpenter more than 25 years ago, Jennifer brings firsthand field experience that gives her credibility with crews and leaders alike.
Jennifer’s impact at Lewis is both broad and deeply personal. A mentor to safety professionals across our Washington division, she has a rare ability to translate complex regulations into clear, practical guidance that crews can trust and apply in the field. She approaches every new rule or requirement with care and curiosity, digging into the details, offering thoughtful feedback, and making sure teams understand not just what is changing, but why it matters. That patience and clarity have helped strengthen a safety culture rooted in shared responsibility and continuous improvement.
Jennifer Putnam-Petrone, right, shares more about the benefits of Type II safety helmets with employees at an event last year.
One of the clearest examples of her leadership came earlier this year during Lewis’s transition from traditional hard hats to Type II safety helmets. Jennifer led a thoughtful rollout that prioritized communication, hands-on demonstrations, and open dialogue with crews and field leaders. By addressing concerns directly and explaining the real-world benefits of enhanced head protection, she built meaningful buy-in and ensured a smooth, successful transition.
Jennifer has also played a critical role in guiding Lewis through Washington State Department of Labor & Industries’ new crane policies. As Lewis’s subject matter expert on cranes, she has been actively involved with L&I and AGC of Washington work groups, attending town halls, tracking rule development, and bringing back clear, actionable insights that helped our teams adapt quickly and safely.
In November 2024, she earned her Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential, adding to her CHST and ASP certifications. She has also mentored numerous colleagues through the certification process, increasing the number of BCSP-certified safety professionals at Lewis Washington by more than 50 percent.
Jennifer’s greatest impact may be the culture she helps create every day, one grounded in humility, transparency, and a genuine desire to see others succeed.
AGC of Washington’s recognition affirms what we already know: Jennifer Putnam-Petrone is setting the standard for safety leadership in our industry.
In addition to this receiving this honor at the Jan. 23rd luncheon, Lewis also received a Safety Excellence Award for general contractors that logged between 600,000 and 800,000 hours worked in 2025.