Her Story
About Mariah
Mariah Atchley is a Regional EHS Representative at Altec, where she supports team development and professional growth while promoting a strong culture of workplace safety. In her current role, she oversees environmental, health, and safety compliance with OSHA and CSA requirements across 10 locations, including six in the United States and four in Canada, supporting nearly 500 mobile service technicians. Her responsibilities include incident investigations, safety procedure development, safety training, and collaborating with leadership to identify effective approaches to workplace safety. Mariah began her career with Altec through a cooperative education program while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Eastern Kentucky University. She initially spent four years in manufacturing before transitioning to Altec's service operations, where she has continued to expand her safety leadership experience. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Health from Eastern Kentucky University and an M.S. in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University. Her professional credentials include HOP certification from the University of Alabama, GSP certification, and First Aid/CPR Trainer certification through the American Red Cross. Her accomplishments have been recognized through the Altec Achievement Award and the 2022 Innovation Award/Certificate. She is also a member of the National Safety Council and participates in Women of STEM through Altec. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Mariah is committed to helping others and giving back to her community. She and her husband own an inflatable entertainment business that provides water slides and bounce houses for community events and charitable initiatives, including the Fall Heritage Festival, animal shelter fundraisers, Toys for Kids programs, and back-to-school events. Her approach to safety and leadership is grounded in the belief that people are central to every organization, and she remains focused on creating environments where employees can work safely, develop professionally, and succeed.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mariah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being proactive, detail-oriented, and committed to keeping people safe. I focus on identifying potential issues before they become problems, communicating clearly with team members, and continuously learning from both successes and challenges. Staying consistent and putting safety first has helped me build trust and contribute positively to the team
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to never stop learning and never assume. In safety, complacency can lead to mistakes, so staying curious, asking questions, and paying attention to the details are essential. That mindset has helped me grow professionally and better support the people I work with
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be confident in your knowledge and never be afraid to speak up. Safety professionals play a critical role in protecting people, and your perspective is valuable. Take every opportunity to learn, ask questions, and build relationships with experienced mentors. Don't let being one of the few women in a room make you doubt yourself. Earn credibility through preparation, consistency, and professionalism, and let your work speak for itself. Most importantly, stay true to your values and remember that leadership comes from influence and integrity, not just a job title.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in fall protection is preventing complacency and ensuring workers consistently follow safety procedures, even when performing routine tasks. The biggest opportunity is using new technology, improved equipment, and proactive planning to identify and eliminate fall hazards before someone gets hurt. Building a strong safety culture around fall protection can significantly reduce injuries and save lives
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, accountability, and respect are the values that guide me most. I believe in doing what's right, following through on commitments, and treating people with respect. Whether at work or in my personal life, I strive to learn, grow, and make a positive difference every day
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