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BCSP presents the Lifetime Achievement Award annually to a distinguished safety, health, and environmental professional who has dedicated a career to advancing the profession. The 2026 recipient is Leo DeBobes.
Leo J. DeBobes, CSP, CHCM, CSC, CPEA, CPH, CHEP, CHSP, CPSO, CIT -1.jpeg?width=200&height=268&name=5023DeBobesLeo%20(1)-1.jpeg)
Leo DeBobes’ remarkable career in safety has spanned nearly 50 years, and this year marks a special milestone — his 40th as a Certified Safety Professional.
Currently an independent safety consultant, DeBobes serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.
DeBobes was named ASSP’s Edgar Monsanto Queeny National Safety Professional of the Year in 2013. He is also a two-time recipient of ASSP regional and chapter Safety Professional of the Year awards.
He remains active with ASSP’s Council on Professional Development, AIHA’s Standards Advisory Panel, and the AIHA Safety Committee. Previously, he chaired ASSP’s committees for Standards Development and Leadership Conference Planning.
DeBobes retired as Assistant Administrator for Emergency Management and Regulatory Compliance at Stony Brook Medicine in New York and as Administrative Director of the New York State Metropolitan Area Regional Training Center for Emergency Preparedness at Stony Brook University. He previously served as the Division Head for Environment, Safety, and Health Services at Brookhaven National Laboratory and as Director of Environmental Health and Safety at Stony Brook.
DeBobes presided over an unprecedented two terms as the President of ASSP’s Long Island Chapter and served as Executive Board Chairman and Chief of the Setauket, New York, Fire Department.
He was also an Associate Professor and the Fire Protection Technology Program Coordinator at Suffolk County Community College and a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Environmental Health and Safety Concentration Advisor at Stony Brook.
DeBobes holds a master’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health from New York University.