Behind The Banner

Heather Knowles, CSP, MS

Founder | Principal Consultant, Black Banner Safety

Black Banner Safety was founded by Heather Knowles, a Certified Safety Professional with more than two decades of experience working in complex, high-risk environments. Her professional background spans U.S. Navy aviation maintenance, explosives safety, manufacturing, and public-sector operations.

Throughout her career, Heather has developed and managed occupational safety programs, evaluated operational risks, improved compliance processes, and supported complex organizations through changing requirements and evolving technology. Her public-sector experience includes supporting law enforcement, corrections, and other county operations, along with hands-on administration of enterprise risk and compliance management systems.

Headshot of Heather Knowles CSP

Heather holds a Master's degree in Occupational Safety and Health, the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential, and OSHA Specialist designations in General Industry and Construction.

Her consulting philosophy is straightforward: understand the operation, identify what needs improvement, and develop practical solutions that work for the people responsible for implementing them.

Through Black Banner Safety, she brings that experience to organizations seeking stronger safety and compliance programs, better operational processes, and digital systems built to support lasting improvements.

The Raven & The Black Banner

The raven represents intelligence, adaptability, and vigilance — the ability to assess complexity, respond deliberately, and stay focused when conditions change.

The black banner represents resilience and integrity. It stands for holding the line, not giving up when the work is difficult, and staying committed to doing things the right way. For Black Banner Safety, it reflects a practical belief: real progress in safety, compliance, and operational improvement takes persistence, accountability, and the willingness to solve hard problems without backing away from them.

Together, the raven and the banner reflect the philosophy behind Black Banner Safety: think clearly, act deliberately, and build solutions that hold up in the real world.

Heather Knowles in US Navy uniform rank AE2, standing beside a vintage Navy recruitment poster in 2006.

AE2 Knowles, U.S. Navy (2006). Decades of safety discipline started here.

Heather Knowles in The Wrap during corrections officer training

Participating in a corrections restraint training demonstration (2022). Yes, I volunteered.

Heather Knowles wearing full PPE during a mock hazardous materials cleanup drill in 2012 as part of HAZWOPER training at Aerojet..

Mock explosives HAZWOPER cleanup drill (2012).

Certifications

Black Banner Safety is SBA-certified as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

Proud to support federal, public-sector, and commercial organizations as a certified woman- and veteran-owned small business.