Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Daniel J. Ortiz, MPH, CSP, recognizes the importance of professional education, not just in his role of teaching others, but by earning a Georgia Tech Professional Education certificate himself.

As director for GTRI’s Occupational Safety and Health Program Office, Ortiz facilitates professional development for safety and health managers across the U.S. But he’s also taken advantage of the expert instruction from Georgia Tech that attracts thousands of professionals annually.

Ortiz earned a Systems Engineering Certificate from the Georgia Tech Defense Technology program late last year. Ortiz made the time to gain additional knowledge, which boosted his problem solving and leadership skills.

Daniel J. Ortiz (center), MPH, CSP received a Systems Engineering Certificate from the Georgia Tech Defense Technology program.

“I put professional development as one of my highest goals,” says Ortiz, director of the Occupational Safety and Health Programs Office and division chief of the Human Systems Integration Division in GTRI’s Electronic Systems Laboratory.

The certificate is one of nine offered by the Georgia Tech Defense Technology program, which is the Georgia Tech Professional Education’s largest revenue grossing portfolio. The Georgia Tech Defense Technology program had over 3,200 students and awarded 79 professional certificates in fiscal year 2010-2011.

Ortiz sought to gain practical knowledge about systems engineering from Georgia Tech instructors, who are known nationally for their research and expertise. Georgia Tech Professional Education provided a working knowledge that he could immediately apply in his leadership roles with GTRI.

“Each course provided a different piece of the total picture,” he says. “The program has been very helpful to me, career-wise.”