HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group safety professional is being recognized within the national Voluntary Protection Program community after the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association selected Edward Takacs as its Safety Star of the Quarter for 2025.
Takacs serves as the VPP and Unit Safety Representative program manager for the 309th AMXG, supporting more than 2,000 aircraft maintainers across multiple industrial work areas within the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill. His selection highlights more than 15 years of work helping strengthen safety practices and employee involvement across the complex.
According to Will Hood, Ogden ALC VPP program manager, Takacs has shaped the program since its earliest days.
“One of our best and brightest in the Voluntary Protection Program world, Ed Takacs, has been selected by the National Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association as the Q4 Safety Star,” Hood said. “Ed has been with the Voluntary Protection Program since the inception of the program. He’s mentored more Voluntary Protection Program managers than I can count, runs assessor training for the complex, and always takes time to teach and mentor. He’s just a fantastic individual and program manager.”
Takacs first became involved in VPP in 2008 when he volunteered as a site representative. Since then, he has helped lead internal VPP assessments, supported major facility improvements, and worked to secure upgraded personal protective equipment and lifesaving AEDs for maintenance areas.
In the VPPPA Q&A, Takacs reflected on the team’s progress over the years.
“I am proud of the many accomplishments our Air Force Safety and VPP team has achieved,” he said. “Everything from internal challenge assessments to major projects like hangar roof replacements and PPE upgrades has made a real difference.”
He also noted that reducing hand and head injuries remains one of the group’s biggest challenges and said collaboration across the VPPPA network continues to help identify new ideas and best practices.
Outside of work, Takacs enjoys woodworking and riding his recumbent trike; hobbies that, he joked, reinforce the value of keeping safety front and center.
Hood said the recognition reflects the dedication of both Takacs and the 309th AMXG workforce.
“Ed’s leadership and commitment to safety make a real difference,” he said. “We’re proud to see him recognized within the national VPP community.”
To read the full VPPPA feature on Takacs, visit the VPPPA website.