SEATTLE, December 17, 2025 – In the U.S., construction workers face a disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease compared to employees in other industries[1]. This elevated risk stems from a combination of factors, including long work hours, high stress, poor nutrition, tobacco use and a lack of heart-strengthening exercise. More than 343,000 construction workers, or roughly 1 in 25, are already living with cardiovascular disease, underscoring the urgent need for action.
Construction industry leaders in the Puget Sound are working to change these statistics through the American Heart Association’s Hard Hats with Heart initiative led by Marjorie Chang, director of business development at Hoffman Construction. As the 2026 Puget Sound Hard Hats with Heart chair, Chang has been working alongside other industry executives to champion action-oriented conversations about employee health, engage tradespeople in healthy lifestyle activities and raise lifesaving funds for the American Heart Association. The group also set a goal to improve job site safety through cardiac emergency response plans, written documents that outline specific steps to reduce the risk of death from cardiac arrest in any setting. In this case, that setting is local job sites.
"This initiative matters because it’s about prevention and preparation before something more serious occurs,” said Chang. “At Hoffman Construction, we’ve always prioritized onsite safety and mental health, both of which are a part of our Hoffman culture. Heart health deserves that same level of commitment. From ensuring our teams are trained and equipped to respond quickly in the event of a cardiac emergency, to providing employees with lifesaving resources like blood pressure management tools and education, Hard Hats with Heart is helping us build a stronger, healthier workforce."
The executive leadership team members joining Chang in 2026 include:
- Matt Allen, McKinstry
- Kirk Baisch, UMC
- Ruben Cañas, MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions
- Jenny Chin, Cochran Inc.
- Seth Cirotti-Caruso, Cochran Inc
- Benjamin Coffman, JTM Construction
- Hisham N. Elkhawad, Providence Swedish
- Kevin Ess, Valley Electric
- Jeremy Gibson, PCI
- Jenae Goldfinch, Goldfinch Brothers Inc.
- Ryan Haines, Gensler
- Kyle Hepper, Abbott Construction
- Mark Jonson, McKinstry
- Bryan Maggio, Mortenson Construction
- Tony Parker, Goldfinch Brothers Inc.
- Karl Pihl, EBD Services
- John Schuh, AldrichVKP
- Ashley Sherwood, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- Mike Stein, Granite Construction Company
- Todd Stine, ZGF Architects
- Robert Taaffe, Sound Transit
- Brad Velasco, VECA Electric & Technologies
- Nick Vovakes, Swinerton Builders
- Nicole Wenzel, MultiCare Health System
The Hard Hats with Heart accomplishments will be celebrated at an annual event scheduled for May 21, 2026, at Block 41 in Seattle. For sponsorship information or to join the leadership team, contact Julia.Martin@heart.org. For more information about Hard Hats with Heart in the Puget Sound, visit www.heart.org/PugetSoundHHWH.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. In Washington, visit heart.org/Washington, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X.
For Media Inquiries:
Lily Gordon: lily.gordon@heart.org
Valerie Koch: valerie.koch@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
