Zach Lutjen
Zach’s Role in Driving Safety Culture
At APS Solutions, we believe our people are our greatest strength, and few embody that better than Zach. In just over two years, Zach successfully transitioned from a Recruiter role into a critical position as a Safety Specialist, a move driven by his commitment to our teams. His work is a perfect example of our core values in action, especially T.I.M.E. (Training, Inspiration, Mentorship, and Encouragement). Zach initially joined APS because he was drawn to our reputation for valuing people over just numbers—a focus that is now central to our safety program.
Leveraging the Recruiting Mindset for Proactive Safety
Zach’s background gives him a unique advantage in promoting safety across the company. He recognizes that APS is “uniquely positioned on the recruiting side to get the safety message out to the field.” His experience taught him that a safe job site starts with finding talent that not only has technical skills but also “the right mindset for the jobsite—people who would show up, work safe, and be team players.”
This recruiter’s perspective taught him to read people quickly, build trust, and clearly communicate expectations. He is skilled at “selling the ‘why'” of safety, ensuring that every employee understands the value of our safety culture. This foundation is reinforced by his time in the Army National Guard, where he gained the understanding that safety requires collective ownership and that “everyone is responsible for each other.”
Leadership Built on Trust, Not Just Rules
Zach’s safety leadership philosophy is refreshingly simple: “lead by example, communicate clearly, and build trust.” For him, safety is not about enforcing rules; it’s about “building a culture where everyone looks out for each other.”
He operates with a highly proactive approach, believing that safety works best when we stay ahead of potential issues. Zach focuses on spotting trends early, engaging in open communication with crews, and “addressing hazards before they turn into incidents.” This engagement, trust, and communication with our field employees every day is the key to achieving our collective goal.
The entire APS team—from leadership to field personnel—shares the singular mission that drives Zach: getting people home safe and setting them up for success. We are proud that Zach feels he is “part of a team that wants to see you grow and succeed,” reinforcing that at APS Solutions, you are never just a number.
Noe Vazquez
A Career Forged in Dedication and Hard Work
Meet Noe Vazquez, a long-tenured and highly decorated professional whose commitment to our company’s success is truly inspirational. With years of progressive leadership experience, Noe’s career has been forged in the foundational trades of construction—specifically in carpentry, rod busting, and concrete finishing. This deep, practical knowledge is the bedrock of his current role.
What truly sets Noe apart is his tireless dedication to advancing his safety career. While working demanding, 12-hour shifts in the field, Noe consistently spent his nights taking classes to earn vital credentials, including NCCER’s CSST, CSSS, and CSSO certifications. This reflects not just an ambition to rise through the ranks, but a profound personal commitment to acquiring the most current knowledge to protect his colleagues.
From Blueprint to Execution: Master of Technical Safety
Noe’s extensive background means he doesn’t just manage safety paperwork; he fully understands the hazards and complexities of the job from a crew member’s perspective. He is adept at interpreting project details, a skill crucial for proactive hazard planning.
Noe’s responsibilities include the intricate work of:
- Reading and Interpreting Documentation: He regularly reads and interprets blueprints alongside critical safety documents like Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), pre-task planning, and various permits and inspections. This dual-focus ensures alignment between production goals and safety mandates.
- Controlling High-Hazard Tasks: His experience allows him to safely execute highly hazardous tasks that require meticulous planning and control. This includes managing procedures for hot work, overseeing confined spaces, and ensuring compliance in excavations, where soil classification and proper shoring are essential.
- Equipment and Material Handling: Noe is certified and experienced in critical operational aspects, routinely performing and overseeing forklift, lifting, hoisting, and rigging operations for loading and unloading material. He understands that the safe use of equipment is a constant factor in job site well-being.
The Leadership Philosophy: Coaching for a Safe Team
Noe’s leadership style is rooted in building competence and trust. He actively manages and directs crews, not by merely dictating orders, but by “coaching them on the proper safety and operation procedures.” This approach transforms safety compliance from a set of rules into a shared set of skills.
He embodies a proactive mindset, striving to stop incidents before they start. His goal is to solve problems and execute tasks “in a safe and timely manner” by using his skills to “identify and eliminate hazards by using most effective control methods.” Furthermore, Noe is a master planner, who envisions and creates comprehensive “safety/production plans to meet project deadlines,” ensuring that our efficiency never compromises our well-being.
Noe Vazquez is a true safety champion whose technical depth, unwavering personal dedication, and proven leadership skills are integral to maintaining our standard of excellence and helping every employee return home safely.
