Practical Ways to Strengthen Environmental Performance

About this episode

In this episode of The Pragmatic Safety Podcast by TenForce, host Julia Dubois speaks with (Jack) John R. Skelley, Corporate Environmental Manager at Gerdau North America, an expert with more than 40 years of experience, including over 30 years in the electric arc furnace steel industry. Jack shares how environmental management has changed through better technology, automation, and data systems. He explains the importance of compliance, audits, leadership support, and practical environmental programs. Jack also discusses the growing role of AI, the challenges of regulation, and why the next generation of environmental managers should stay involved, focus on facts, and keep environmental work practical and effective.

With more than 40 years of environmental experience, including over 30 years in the electric arc furnace steel industry, (Jack) John R. Skelley shares how environmental compliance has evolved through better technology, automation, and data management. He explains the importance of practical environmental programs, strong leadership, audits, and accountability. Jack also discusses the growing role of AI, the challenges of changing regulations, and the need for future environmental managers to stay engaged, focus on facts, and build effective systems that support both industry and the environment.

In this episode, expect to learn:

-How environmental compliance in the steel industry depends on strong systems, audits, leadership support, and accountability

-Why technology, automation, and data management are making environmental programs more efficient and easier to manage

-How AI can support routine environmental work, data analysis, and reporting while people remain essential for solving complex problems

-The challenges of changing regulations and why environmental managers need to stay informed and involved in their communities

-Why future environmental professionals should focus on practical solutions, reliable data, and systems that support long term compliance

📢Discover how TenForce helps industrial teams improve safety, compliance, and operational performance.

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Timestamps:

[00:00] - Teaser

[01:11] - Introduction of Podcast and Guest (Jack) John R. Skelley

[07:54] - Managing Environmental Compliance Across States

[09:07] - Building Practical Environmental Programs

[14:13] - Training, Audits, and a Compliance Culture

[18:06] - Recycling and Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking

[22:33] - Advice for Future Environmental Managers

[28:05] - AI, Data, and Environmental Reporting

[34:49] - The Future of Sustainability and AI

[43:23] - What AI Cannot Replace in Environmental Work

[49:30] - Where to connect with (Jack) John R. Skelley

"Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review."

Follow our Guest (Jack) John R. Skelley on:

-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-john-r-skelley-88035310/

-Gerdau North America (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/gerdau-north-america/

-Gerdau North America (Website): https://www2.gerdau.com/

Follow Host Julia Dubois on:

-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-dubois-ahimsa/

Follow the Podcast:

-Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tenforce/

-Visit the Website: https://www.tenforce.com/

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TenForceEHSQ

-Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/do/podcast/the-pragmatic-safety-podcast/id6793006276

-Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033Ta0S3lA8IWFXIcj68sA?si=2aa99d9a94d94367