About 2 Tuff 2 Talk

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Babette Burnett CHST COSS COSM attended Michigan State University and is currently the Health and Safety Director at The Spieker Company in Northwood Ohio. She is a founding member of 2Tuff2Talk Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Construction. Babette became passionate about suicide prevention in 2016 when a carpenter apprentice she was working with committed suicide. She witnessed firsthand what happens when construction workers have no where to turn to get the help they need. Not to mention the effects suicide has on co workers and the company as a whole. Her goal is to fulfill 2Tuff2Talks mission and make sure that all construction workers have access to mental health care and someone to help them through the process. 

Greg Burkhart is the Director of Safety and Training for the Associated General Contractors of Northwest Ohio.  Here he assists 350 union contractors and over 14,000 union members with their safety and training needs.  Prior to his current position, Greg spent 34 years in the fire service, the past 19 as a Paramedic/Fire Fighter with Sylvania Township Fire Dept. Greg started working part time for the AGC in 2007.  He was instrumental in designing and developing Confined Space Training Services, a division of the AGC which trained hundreds of workers throughout the United States regarding confined entry, and rescue.  

Cassie Tinta is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Toledo’s largest sheet metal sub-contractor VM Systems Inc as well as their subsidiaries, M&M Heating and Cooling, and Toledo Mirror & Glass.

Cassie was introduced to 2Tuff2Talk in 2021 after assisting with the organizing and marketing of a workshop featuring Cal Beyer. After the workshop, Cassie signed on as 2Tuff2Talk’s Board Secretary and Marketing Chair to advise on communications, marketing needs, and fundraising in support of the organization’s vital mission to normalize conversations about suicide prevention as well as advocate the importance of mental health awareness and contractor training programs to benefit all Union Construction Workers in Northwestern Ohio.

Owner/President, CEO Foundation Steel LLC.   

Charlotte is a native of Toledo and has a heart for the city and its population. Charlotte started Foundation Steel in 2008 and has expanded from the Headquarters in the Toledo area to satellite offices in Detroit, MI; Columbus, OH; and Dayton, OH.  Charlotte’s focus has always been on equipping and caring for her employees along with providing excellent service to customers served. Hoping to make a difference in individual’s lives she gladly serves on the 2Tuff2Talk Board.

Jean focuses her practice on construction law, medical malpractice defense, commercial litigation, and agribusiness. Jean serves

individual clients as well as business entities in litigation in both Michigan and Ohio, with an emphasis on real estate and financial

matters, construction disputes, and medical malpractice defense.

While she has gained multi-million dollar verdicts for commercial clients, she also has guided clients in handling matters of all sizes, protecting lien and bond rights, property protection, enforcing contracts, and collection on accounts.

Working with the firm business attorneys, Jean has litigated diverse matters from trust litigation, competence, business

dissolution, bankruptcy, and banking issues.

Northwest Ohio is home, and Dylan does everything he can to be part of this thriving community. He is grateful to his employer, The Lathrop Company, for their support, encouragement, and participation in local non-profits and organizations. Dylan participates in 2Tuff 2Talk, United Way of Greater Toledo, Emerging Leaders Executive Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Construction Leadership Council, Toledo Rotary, and countless other Economic Development and Community Organizations. Outside these organizations, Dylan is a proud husband and father to three children. 

With 20 years of NW Ohio business experience, including 15 years in the union construction industry, Mary brings a unique perspective to both her employer Nooter Toledo as well as  2Tuff 2 Talk. Gigs she excels in and enjoys include execution of strategy, project management, business development, sales, workforce development, and research/reporting. 

Lee is a 24+ year member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, has been a Business Representative for the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) for over 9 years and currently serves in the position of Senior Political Director for the State of Ohio. Lee is a 1998 Toledo Start High School graduate and a 2003 Ohio Carpenters Apprenticeship graduate. Lee is also Chairman of the Lucas County Workforce Development Board and has served in this capacity for the last 4 years.  Lee has been an active member in his local and is currently the Recording Secretary and Delegate to the IKORCC. Lee was born and raised in Toledo and presently resides in Sylvania, OH with his wife and daughter. 

Laura Jenkins has been in the Northwest Ohio Advertising Community since graduating from the University of Toledo in 1990. She managed and successfully launched two start-up radio stations: the Buzz 106.5 and 107.7 The Wolf, brought to market a new division at a large local communications company and has experience in Broadcast TV, Cable, Print, Social Media, Digital Advertising, & more.