Frampton Construction Company, a full-service firm providing planning and design support, preconstruction and construction services, has hired two accomplished Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) professionals to its safety leadership team.
Director of EHS & Risk Management, Michael Brakefield, and Senior Manager of Safety Training & Development, Jeremy Kitchens, bring decades of combined experience to the firm. Their addition will strengthen Frampton’s Future First safety culture, enhance the firm’s EHS training initiatives, ensure regulatory compliance across all projects, and empower its trade partners.
Michael Brakefield – Director of EHS & Risk Management
Brakefield joins Frampton Construction with an extensive background in risk management and environmental health and safety leadership across diverse industries. Most recently, Brakefield directed EHS operations for a $500 million greenfield development of a magnetics manufacturing facility, overseeing all aspects of EHS and risk management. At Thorne HealthTech, he launched and scaled a formal EHS program for over 700 employees across five locations nationwide, achieving a more than 50% reduction in injury rates within nine months and significantly lowering OSHA recordable rates through innovative programs and best practices.
Brakefield’s experience spans industrial, manufacturing and construction environments, including director-level roles at Phillips Industrial Services and site safety management for BL Harbert International. He has also served as an HSSE training manager on international oil and gas projects, bringing a strong foundation in regulatory compliance, hazard assessment and staff training. Brakefield holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina, an Associate’s Degree in Public Service and numerous professional certifications, including Construction Manager of Environmental Safety and Health, OSHA 500 Construction and OSHA 501 General Industry Authorized Trainer credentials.
Image Courtesy of: Frampton Construction Co
Jeremy Kitchens – Training & Development Safety Manager
Jeremy Kitchens brings a results-driven approach to Frampton’s EHS training and development programs, backed by a strong military and civilian career in the nuclear and data center industries. Kitchens most recently served as Environmental Health and Safety Communications and Special Projects Manager for Google’s global data center fleet, where he developed and implemented comprehensive EHS awareness programs across 32 sites on four continents. His leadership encompassed the creation of multimedia safety campaigns, mobile safety applications, targeted risk mitigation strategies and vendor contract negotiations, as well as EHS budgets.
Previously, Kitchens managed EHS compliance for new data center construction projects in the U.S., Latin America and Europe, partnering with general contractors and vendors to ensure world-class safety standards. His technical expertise is rooted in nuclear operations, with early career experience as a nuclear machinist mate in the U.S. Navy and as a non-licensed operator at SCE&G’s VC Summer Nuclear Station. Kitchens holds a Master of Science in Project Management from The Citadel, a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technologies, and credentials including Project Management Professional (PMP), OSHA 510/511, and ISO 14001/OHSAS 18001 certifications.
Image Courtesy of: Frampton Construction Co
“We’re both ready to build on the excellent foundation Frampton’s executive team and Senior Safety Manager Sofie Collins have established over the last decade,” said Brakefield. “It’s clear they’re extremely committed to their employees’ physical and mental well-being.”
Brakefield and Kitchens joined Frampton on April 21, 2025. The duo’s main objective will be to develop initiatives that increase the safety IQ of Frampton’s workforce and its network of trade partners.
“Given their impressive backgrounds and earnest desire to see all our colleagues go home to their families at the end of each day, I’m certain Michael and Jeremy will foster an exemplary safety culture at Frampton, ensuring everyone, from executive leadership to craft workers, set the safety standard in our industry,” said Frampton Construction CEO Chad Frampton.
About Frampton Construction Company, LLC
Frampton Construction is a full-service firm offering planning and design support, preconstruction, and construction services. Its dedicated team of professionals takes pride in building meaningful, lasting relationships with clients while providing the highest quality of service. Frampton delivers executive leadership and personal oversight throughout the building process while working diligently to exceed each client’s expectations. With offices in Charleston, South Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Tampa, Florida, the company is positioned to manage projects in the Southeast and beyond. Learn more at frampton.construction and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Feature Image Courtesy of: Frampton Construction Co
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