FLORIDA MINING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE 2023 – DARREN CONN FOURTH ANNUAL SURFACE MINING EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AND COMPETITION
The Florida Mine Safety Program welcomed its first inductee to the Florida Mining Hall of Fame during the Fourth Annual Surface Mining Emergency Response Training and Competition Banquet and Awards Ceremony on March 2, 2023 at the Goodwood Planta on and Museum in Tallahassee, Florida.
Darren Conn became the first inductee of Florida’s Mining Hall of Fame which was established to commemorate exceptional figures who work to make a difference every day in moving Florida’s mine rescue coemptions forward.
The Florida Mine Safety Program aims to educate those who partake in mining operations by assisting mining companies and contactors with their health and safety training. The Annual Surface Mining Emergency Response Training and Competition provides a fun and effective way for our hard-working miners, emergency responders and safety workers to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the safety and emergency response fields by providing intensive training sessions, demonstrations, and emergency response scenarios throughout the event.
Darren positively influenced the quality of our experiences through testing, training, development and implementation of intensive field practical drills through Surface Mining Contests. The Mining Hall of Fame Award was created to recognize the best of the best leaders that embody Respect, Integrity, Success, and Engagement. Darren Conn did “RISE” to the occasion, becoming Florida’s first inductee! Darren was presented with the 2023 Mining Hall of Fame Inductee Award by Samuel K. Pierce, retired (Acting Administrator for Enforcement with the Mine Safety and Health Administraon), with the assistance of Karen Miller, Mining Program Manager with Florida’s MSHA State Grants (Mine Safety Training Program).
Darren Conn is the Field Office Supervisor for the Franklin, TN MSHA Metal/Nonmetal Office. Prior to accepting his current position, Darren was the Field Office Supervisor in Lexington, KY, an Assessment Specialist, and a Senior Safety Specialist with the Safety Department at MSHA Headquarters in Arlington, VA. He started his MSHA career as an Inspector in Franklin, TN.
Darren has been with MSHA since 2008 after transferring from the Department of Defense where he was a Rail & Fuel Specialist. He was a member of MSHA’s National Mine Emergency Unit from 2010 through 2013. He has over 32 years of experience in the mining and rail safety industries! During his industry career he held positions as laborer, equipment operator, Plant Manager, Safety Team Member, and Area Shipping Manager. He is a 4th generation miner and 2nd generation MSHA safety professional.
Darren attended Morehead State University where he studied Government and English. He is CEO and Co-Founder of Sanabit Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization aimed at providing funding for research of incurable diseases. He resides in Franklin, TN with his wife, Thida, and their son, Caden.