Cortez is an occupational safety and health manager with more than 14 years' experience. As a health and safety professional, he has extensive training and experience. He holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with a concentration in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management (ASEM).  

In addition to providing a safe and healthy workplace, Cortez is responsible for complying with all State and Federal regulations relating to occupational safety and health. `A key responsibility of Cortez is to provide leadership, training, information, and policy development.