M.C. Dean Recognized with CCO Gold Employer Award for Safety Excellence and Workforce Development
M.C. Dean Recognized with CCO Gold Employer Award for Safety Excellence and Workforce Development
M.C. Dean, a leading engineering and systems integration firm, has been awarded the Gold Employer Award from CCO Certification. This recognition highlights M.C. Dean’s proactive investment in safety, workforce training, and operational excellence. M.C. Dean is demonstrating what it means to set the bar high for certification and risk reduction in the construction industry.
Building a Culture of Training & Expertise
M.C. Dean’s journey pursuing technical and professional certifications accelerated in 2014 when the company brought its rigging operations in-house. By 2021, pursuing certifications for rigging and logistics became standard practice across their operations. “Our goal is for all riggers to get certified,” shared Tom Kane, Director of Logistics with M.C. Dean. “We don’t do this because we’re being asked to do it—we’re doing it because our culture is focused on safety.”
The company has since built a structured program requiring operators and riggers to achieve multiple levels of certification, including Signal Person, Rigger I and II, Telehandler, and Lift Director certifications. “Our requirement is that employees must pass the Signal Person, Rigger 1, Rigger 2, and crane operator certifications before moving into a lift director role,” said Kane. “We want to be certain they can understand, plan, and safely manage these complex logistics.”
Why Certifications Matters
For M.C. Dean, certification means more than compliance—it’s a business advantage. “Beyond safety, the biggest benefit of having CCO certified team members is to meet or exceed contract requirements,” said Eddie Parra, Logistics Manager. “It gives assurance to our customers that the job will be done the right way.”
Certifications also directly reduce risk. “Our process minimizes risk, and that translates into safer operations and greater client trust,” said Parra. Clients have noticed too, with several awarding M.C. Dean recognition for safety performance on major projects.
Investing in People, Building Careers
M.C. Dean’s investment in certifications is matched by its commitment to people. The company not only covers the cost of training, travel, and lodging for employees but also provides a career pathway through its certification program. “We discuss the available career paths with our teams,” explained Katie Brittain, Lifting and Rigging Safety Manager. “It shows them what they can achieve. Once they get here, they don’t want to leave.”
Certification also boosts confidence. “Helping them prep for training, putting them through certification, and then seeing them pass—it definitely builds confidence. It gives them a broader understanding of what they’re doing, how to do it safely, and how to lead others.” For many, certification is also a point of pride. “It’s bragging rights,” said Tom Kane. “Operators ask each other, ‘Why don’t you have this yet?’”
Raising Industry Standards
M.C. Dean sees certification as a way to set a higher standard not just internally, but for the industry as a whole. “Just because someone knows how to perform a lift doesn’t mean they understand the hazards,” explained Kane “CCO certification ensures there’s a base level of competency. The practical exam proves they can actually apply the knowledge—not just talk about it.”
The company’s rigorous expectations reflect this philosophy. They even track all certifications and expiration dates on internal dashboards and review them daily to ensure compliance. “Safety isn’t pushed down on us—it’s who we are,” Kane emphasized. “Every individual is responsible for safety, and we hold each other accountable.”
Recognition for a Team Effort
For M.C. Dean, receiving the Gold Employer Award is an honor, but leaders insist the recognition belongs to their teams. “The award’s not for us, it’s for them,” said Kane. “It validates the time and effort our people put into training, studying, and learning in the field. Their hard work is what makes this possible.”
The company’s vision is clear: every rigger certified, every operator confident, every lift directed by trained professionals. As Kane put it: “We spare no expense to make sure things are done safely. Safety is our number one priority—and certification is how we deliver it.”
Congratulations to M.C. Dean for your leadership in the industry! Through your investment in employee growth, high standards for certification, and steadfast focus on safety, you embody the Gold Standard in our industry.
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®
We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company’s capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audio visual, and IT systems.
M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia and employs more than 7,000+ professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.
