SEATTLE - February 21, 2023 — The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on ensuring longer, healthier lives for all, has named Bryan Maggio, director of market strategy & development, Mortenson as 2023 Puget Sound Hard Hats with Heart chairperson and Hisham N. Elkhawad, senior director of project management, Providence Swedish as 2023 Puget Sound Hard Hats with Heart mission impact chairperson. In these roles, Maggio and Elkhawad are charged with a $1 million fundraising goal to support the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association and a target to reach 5,000 craftworkers with health and wellness resources. 

Hard Hats with Heart is the American Heart Association’s industry specific health and wellness initiative targeting the construction trade. Many craft workers have one or more key risk factors for heart disease or stroke, including one in four construction workers use tobacco products[1], one in four construction workers is considered obese[2] and nearly half of all construction workers don’t get enough exercise[3]. The campaign’s focus is to integrate health, well-being and prevention solutions into the culture of the industry to address these risk factors and reduce cardiovascular disease among the trade. 

Maggio and Elkhawad will be joined by other executives working to improve physical and mental health and promote company engagement among craft workers. The executive leadership team members include: 

  • Ruben Canas, vice president healthcare construction, MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions
  • Marjorie S. Chang Fuller, business development manager, Hoffman Construction
  • John Elswick, division director, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
  • Ian Elliott, Vice President, Kenco Construction
  • Jenae Goldfinch, director of shell + core, Goldfinch Brothers Inc.
  • Michael Holmes, EHS director, KLB Construction
  • Mark Howell, sr. vice president, Skanska USA Building
  • Mark Jonson, vice president and general manager, McKinstry
  • Karl Pihl, managing principal and chief executive officer, EBD Services
  • Troy Stedman, chief executive officer, Abbott Construction
  • Jeff Tomlinson, executive sales director, Prime Electric
  • Nick Vovakes, director of special projects, Swinerton
  • Brad Velasco, director of preconstruction, VECA Electric & Technologies
  • Dave Worley, vice president division manager, Swinerton
  • Todd Stine, partner, ZGF Architects
  • Greg Zevely, president, Hudson Bay Insulation 

“I am excited to be leading the Hard Hats with Heart campaign in the Puget Sound this year,” said Maggio. “The blood pressure program at Mortenson has made a real impact and in fact, even saved an employee’s life on one of our jobsites. Ensuring that all tradespersons have access to the same valuable health information and tools is what motivates me in this role.” 

“I’m proud to join this outstanding group of industry leaders who share a goal of creating a healthier future for all,” said Elkhawad. “The work of the American Heart Association saves lives and as an industry, we are happy to do our part to support this mission.” 

The Hard Hats with Heart campaign will be celebrated at an annual event held on May 11 at the Museum of Flight. Funds raised through Hard Hats with Heart support the mission of the American Heart Association to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives including supporting priority issues in Washington like high blood pressure control and community CPR training. 

To learn more about engaging your workforce in Hard Hats with Heart, or to join Maggio and Elkhawad, visit www.heart.org/PugetSoundHHWH or contact the American Heart Association’s Julia Martin at julia.martin@heart.org. 

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About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with the local office on heart.org/WashingtonFacebookTwitter, Instagram or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

For Media Inquiries:

Valerie Koch: valerie.koch@heart.org

Francesca Minas: francesca.minas@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org