B. A. Cox serves as Senior Vice President of Safety and Chief People Officer at Avista Corp., a Fortune 500 energy company delivering electricity and natural gas to customers across the Pacific Northwest. In this pivotal dual role, Cox oversees the development and execution of comprehensive people strategies, champions a culture of safety excellence, and ensures compliance with rigorous regulatory standards. Cox's leadership focuses on fostering an inclusive workplace, enhancing employee engagement, and integrating safety protocols into every aspect of Avista's operations to support sustainable growth and community reliability. With over 25 years of experience in human resources, safety management, and risk mitigation within the utilities and energy sectors, Cox has built a distinguished career marked by transformative achievements. Previously, as Vice President of Human Resources at a major regional utility, Cox spearheaded a safety overhaul that reduced workplace incidents by 45% over three years and implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that boosted employee retention by 30%. Recognized with industry awards, including the National Safety Council's Outstanding Achievement Award, Cox holds a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety from Washington State University and advanced certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. At Avista, Cox has driven initiatives like the "Safety First" enterprise-wide program, achieving record-low injury rates and top rankings in employee satisfaction surveys. Their strategic vision aligns human capital with Avista's commitment to innovation, resilience, and environmental stewardship, positioning the company as a leader in people-centric energy solutions.