“Our commitment to technical excellence is built on a strong foundation of health and safety. By embedding safety into every project phase, we strengthen our service delivery and protect our most valuable asset: our people.” 

Galen Cooter serves as Senior Vice President and Health and Safety Director, leading the firm’s enterprise-wide health and safety strategy, risk management frameworks, and operational resilience across all national and regional markets.

With more than 20 years of progressive safety leadership experience spanning engineering, environmental consulting, construction, and field-services operations, Galen has a proven track record of designing high-performing, data-driven safety programs that reduce risk, optimize performance, and foster a robust safety-first culture. Prior to joining Kleinfelder, he directed health and safety programs supporting over 8,000 professionals and approximately $4 billion in active projects. His extensive technical and operational expertise covers laboratory and radiation safety, subcontractor prequalification, incident management, regulatory compliance, and business continuity.

Before beginning his corporate career, Galen served as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Specialist in the United States Marine Corps, leading specialized assessment teams during Operation Iraqi Freedom and serving as Chief Instructor for military Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) and civilian Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training compliance.

Galen holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University. He is a recipient of the National Safety Council’s Rising Stars of Safety Award and holds top industry credentials, including Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), and Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT).