About Us

PCS Custom Training Solutions, founded by Patti Carey, has been helping industry professionals meet their training and compliance goals for over twenty-five years. What started in 1999 as a successful consulting firm has evolved, expanding in 2016 to include eLearning under PCS Custom Training Solutions LLC. Today, we proudly serve clients in the manufacturing, construction, utility, environmental services, and chemical manufacturing sectors.

Drawing on years of expertise and innovation, PCS delivers customized, interactive eLearning solutions that lead to tangible results—a safer workplace with reduced risk and liability.

We collaborate with industry consultants and our clients to create engaging, practical training programs that:

 

  • Meet or exceed regulatory requirements,
  • Focus on site-specific workplace hazards, and
  • Empower and engage learners.
    Patti presenting at a podium
    Photo credit Dr. Susan Garlinghouse

    Our Founder

    Patti Carey is a proud graduate of Cornell University—go Big Red!—and brings hands-on experience from the hazardous waste industry. She began her career as an Industrial Hygiene Technician at an EPA Superfund Site while attending graduate school. Later, she managed the Industrial Hygiene Program for a commercial TSDF (Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility). Her journey continued as Operations/Safety Manager for a hazardous waste-hauling division, followed by Safety and Health Manager overseeing confined space entry, lab-packing, and emergency response activities.

    Patti’s career evolved into consulting over 25 years ago, following a stint as Training and Consulting Manager and EH&S Manager for a manufacturing company. She is known for her practical, results-driven approach, her ability to build consensus across organizational levels, and her down-to-earth humor. She thrives on solving complex risk and compliance challenges, from managing contractor risk to creating top-tier confined space entry programs and Lockout/Tagout procedures.

    As an OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer since 2006, Patti specializes in OSHA 10- and 30-Hour Construction Courses, HAZWOPER training, Permit-Required Confined Space Entry and Rescue, Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Fall Protection, and Lockout/Tagout training.

        Patti riding a horse

        Photo credit Becky Pearman

        Life Outside of Work

        Patti likes to play as hard as she works.

        Patti is just as passionate about her hobbies as she is about her career. A lifelong horsewoman and former riding instructor, she competes in endurance riding—veterinary-supervised trail races that span up to 100 miles in a day. She also cross-trains with dressage, sharing these experiences with her horse, Dunkin (pictured here, photo by Becky Pearman).

        When not on horseback, Patti enjoys hiking, often accompanied by her rescued dogs, and loves to write. You can follow her personal blog at EnduranceIntrospection.com.

        Originally from Western New York (Go Bills!), Patti now lives with her husband, Tom, in rural South Carolina. She’s working on becoming a better gardener but is easily distracted by bluebirds and fox squirrels. When she’s not in the garden, you might spot her on the back of Tom’s motorcycle, enjoying safe adventures on the open road.

        Tom fixes what she breaks and always keeps her laughing.

        2 people on a motorcycle

        Meet the PCS Team

        Our team is brag-worthy. Cultivated over a number of years, everyone on the PCS team has their own approach, specialties, and strengths. This diversity and collaboration lend itself to results that make us proud.

        Tim Connelly

        Timothy Connelly
        Technology Consultant

        View Bio

        Timothy is a native Buffalonian who thrives in process organization, launching projects, and providing active support on matured products.  With diverse experience ranging from on-site demolition work to product management in the food-tech space, he’s able to conceptualize e-learning from both a use case and an administrative perspective.

        Earning his Master’s degree in International Trade from the University of Buffalo and his Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo, he understands the need for quality education in preparing today’s workforce.

        Christy Tucker

        Christy Tucker
        Lead Instructional Designer

        View Bio

        Christy Tucker is a learning experience design consultant with over 20 years of experience helping people learn. She specializes in using scenario-based learning to engage audiences and promote skill transfer to real-world environments. She has created training for a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit associations, state and local government agencies, universities, and more. Christy has been blogging about instructional design and elearning for over 15 years and is a regular speaker at industry conferences and events.

        Kayleen Holt headshot

        Kayleen Holt
        Instructional Designer

        View Bio
        Kayleen Holt has been designing learning experiences for more than 25 years. Her favorite ways to teach are through scenarios, case studies, and performance-based activities that engage, inspire, and make a difference. She has led the development of custom learning solutions and professional development programs for more than 25 U.S. federal government agencies, private sector companies, and nonprofit organizations. She has developed award-winning eLearning and blended courses for safety-driven organizations including the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). She holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Technology, a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Education.
        Bela Gaytan headshot

        Bela Gaytán
        Instructional Designer

        View Bio

        Bela Gaytán, an award-winning learning and development leader, is a champion for inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice. As an Inclusive Learning Specialist, her skills in instructional design and  equity-focused work shine through in the inclusive and accessible learning experiences she crafts. A sought-after speaker, Bela disrupts spaces with authenticity, transparency, and a passion for empowering learners and improving organizations.

        Bela holds a Bachelor’s in HR Management, a Master’s in Learning & Technology, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Adult Learning and Development. She has worked with a wide range of clients, including Saks Fifth Avenue, NASA, The Equity Consortium, and Lesbians Who Tech. Recognized by Google Developers, Bloomberg News, and as a Top 100 LGBT+ Future Leader Role Model, Bela is a relentless advocate for marginalized communities and building a better world.

        Heidi Lambert Reed headshot

        Heidi Lambert Reed
        Safety Consultant

        View Bio

        Heidi is a continuous improvement specialist disguised an EHS Professional. Her professional passion is operational excellence based on empowered and consistent human performance. She has proven leadership and success across industries including aerospace, electrical contracting, medical device and childhood toy manufacturing. The companies she has supported range in size and organizational maturity, from start-ups navigating a complex regulatory landscape to multinational publicly traded companies measuring KPIs supporting their strategic plans.

        Heidi’s skills include lean principles, facilitative leadership and multi-site team alignment and program development.

        Roy D. Jackson, III headshot

        Roy D. Jackson, III
        Safety Consultant

        View Bio

        Roy D. Jackson III, with a background in business management, transitioned into the construction industry as a pipefitter and advanced to construction management. His hands-on experience and passion for safety led him to become a safety professional, working on significant projects for Meta, Tesla, Intel, and Rivian. As an EHS director, Roy oversaw nationwide safety programs and managed international projects, including a Department of Defense contract in Japan.

        Roy excels at integrating safety into complex projects, ensuring it remains a top priority without hindering progress. He is a skilled communicator, bridging the gap between executive teams and field operations. In his free time, Roy enjoys golfing, aspires to be a motivational speaker, and engages in philanthropic activities.

        And now for something a little different…

        We like to have a good laugh at PCS, and we’ve occasionally been accused of having an irreverent sense of humor. In that light, we present to you —

        Child's drawing of a person and chainsaw with the text "Do not chanesaw any part of your body"

        The actual winner of a safety art contest for kids (art credit to Lola Peluso) judged by Patti

        Hand drawn: PCS. What we do do Saves you from boo boo!

        One of the non-winners of our team’s new logo contest. Image by Sandy Edwards