Freese and Nichols Welcomes New Safety Manager, Stefan Malhotra
Stefan Malhotra has joined Freese and Nichols as the new Corporate Safety Manager. Stefan brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in leading environmental, health and safety and risk management programs across both the public and private sectors.
At Freese and Nichols, safety is not just a priority, but a core value that is deeply ingrained in our culture. We understand that the well-being of our employees, clients and communities is paramount and we are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards in all our operations. Stefan replaces our former Safety Director, Jeff Kirkwood, who was promoted to Group Manager for Program Management and Construction Management in Central Texas.
Prior to joining Freese and Nichols, Stefan served as the Associate Director of Risk Management for the City of Houston. In this role, he managed a team of 60 employees and oversaw a $7.5 million operations budget, delivering comprehensive risk management and safety services to all 25,000 city employees. His leadership was instrumental in modernizing operational data streams, optimizing resource utilization, improving project management and implementing innovative risk management strategies.
“I’m very excited to have Stefan join our team and lead our safety program into its next phase of development as our company continues to grow,” said Jace Houston, General Counsel and Risk & Compliance Director. “Stefan also brings a passion for combining data and policy research to achieve better health and safety outcomes.”
Stefan’s extensive experience spans the upstream oil and gas sector and the renewable energy sector. He has led risk management and safety programs for international oil and gas companies and various consulting firms.
“I’m incredibly excited to join such a reputable and forward-looking company,” he said. “I look forward to working with a dedicated team of talented professionals and contributing to Freese and Nichols’ already impressive accomplishments. I’m eager to bring my skills and experience to contribute to the firm’s continued success.”
Stefan received his MBA from the UT McCombs School of Business, MS in Environmental Science and Industrial Hygiene from the UT Health Science Center in Houston, and BS in Ecology from UT Austin. He also holds several professional certifications including Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and Registered Environmental Manager (REM).