President's Message: Changing With the Times

Rodney Simmons

doi:10.56094/jss.v51i3.139

Authors

Dr. Rodney Simmons Khalifa University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6132-1463

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v51i3.139

Keywords:

inflection, strategic, paranoid, mentoring

Abstract

During recent years, the International System Safety Society has been adjusting to a changing environment. In many ways, we’ve been buffeted by a number of outside factors, only some of which we might be able to influence. I am reminded of a 1998 book by Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel, titled Only the Paranoid Survive. In that book, Grove talks about the importance of changing with the times, lest being left behind as a mere historical mention. Groove has also discussed the concept of the strategic inflection point, as depicted here.

Author Biography

Dr. Rodney Simmons, Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Rodney J. Simmons, Ph.D., CSP earned his Ph.D. in industrial engineering (with a specialization in safety and industrial hygiene engineering) at Texas A&M University, and also holds a S.M. in industrial hygiene from Harvard University School of Public Health and a M.S. in environmental chemistry from California State University, Northridge, where he also earned a B.S. in environmental health science.

Since Fall of 2010, he’s served on the engineering faculty of The Petroleum Institute, which is now a part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology. He’s also a Visiting Professor at Huddersfield University in the UK. Prior to 2010, he held faculty posts at University of Cincinnati, Texas A&M University, Illinois State University, Tunghai University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.