North Austin News

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), safety is considered a deeply embedded culture rather than just a priority. Leading the safety efforts is Karen Devane, who serves as the Occupational Health and Safety Division Manager. Karen has been instrumental in promoting safety as a shared responsibility and a key value at AUS.

Originally from England, Karen's professional journey shifted from social work and criminology to aviation safety. Her initial connection to aviation began with watching The Red Arrows in England. This interest eventually led her to AUS, where she first joined as a Performance Consultant in 2007 and later became the Facilities Division Manager in 2012.

Karen noted, “I completed my Social Work certification and worked as a counselor at a sexual assault crisis center.” Her move to the United States was prompted by her husband's stationing at Bergstrom Air Force Base, the current site of AUS. Since then, her efforts have significantly expanded passenger safety and well-being.

The airport's growth from 8.7 million travelers in 2007 to almost 22 million currently reflects AUS's expansion and Karen's contributions over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Karen led safety recovery efforts, transitioning to the Safety Division in 2020. “I was tasked with leading the airport’s safety recovery efforts and resiliency realignment,” she explained.

As the Occupational Health and Safety Division Manager, Karen emphasizes that safety is integrated into the airport's core values. “It’s not about compliance for compliance’s sake,” she tells her team. “It's about making sure every person here gets to go home safe at the end of the day.”

The Safety Division at AUS works to maintain a resilient environment for travelers and employees. Karen highlighted, “Our goal is to uphold the highest safety standards across all airport operations.” This involves policy development, regulatory compliance, inspections, and training, alongside fostering relationships and open communication within the airport.

Karen acknowledges the challenges of balancing safety with the fast-paced environment of airport operations. Nevertheless, she believes in the importance of safety training and engagement as critical elements in maintaining safety standards. “We all have tasks to accomplish, but making time for safety training and engagement is essential. It’s what keeps everything else possible.”

Devane and her team provide support to skilled trades and frontline workers to ensure they are equipped for safety. She elaborated, “These employees handle power tools, chemicals, and heavy equipment. It’s our job to make sure they know how to use them properly and have the right protective gear.” Karen emphasizes the importance of building trust and showing employees that their safety is a daily priority.

In her personal time, Karen enjoys reading, baking traditional British treats, and spending time by the sea.

As AUS continues its growth, Karen Devane's influence is instrumental in ensuring that safety is not just confined to a division but is a mindset shared and championed across the organization.