Williams Safety Team: Our Experts

Before establishing Williams Safety & Rescue, LLC, Mr. Williams served for more than a decade as Director of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) at a leading engineering consulting firm, particularly in the oil and gas industry. During this tenure, he developed and implemented comprehensive safety management systems that enhanced regulatory compliance, reduced organizational risk, and supported sustained operational excellence.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Safety and an Associate’s degree in Fire Protection, Mr. Williams combines a strong academic foundation with extensive hands-on experience. His 22-year career with the Houston Fire Department — including distinguished service on the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team — has equipped him with critical expertise in emergency response, risk mitigation, and crisis leadership.

Under his guidance, Williams Safety & Rescue continues to strengthen its industry presence through a results-driven approach that integrates safety innovation, operational resilience, and measurable value for clients and stakeholders alike.

Austin Coker brings more than 15 years of leadership, technical expertise, and customer-focused experience to his role in the oil and gas industry. With a strong background in industrial operations, reliability management, and sales development, Austin combines technical depth with relationship-driven account management to deliver value to clients while prioritizing safety management in all operations.

Austin’s career foundation is rooted in technical and reliability leadership, particularly in emergency response initiatives. He held multiple leadership roles with Weatherford, including North America Reliability Manager, where he oversaw root cause analysis initiatives, KPI reporting, cost control, and reliability improvement programs. His experience includes managing repair and maintenance teams, implementing preventative maintenance strategies, and supporting complex downhole and industrial equipment systems.

A United States Marine Corps combat veteran, Austin served in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II and completed advanced leadership and technical training. His military background instilled the discipline, accountability, and team-oriented mindset that define his professional approach.

Lacey David is an accomplished business professional with extensive experience in safety management, emergency response, account management, database administration, and business development within the oil and gas industry. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong ability to manage complex regulatory requirements, streamline operational processes, and build lasting client relationships.

Lacey previously served as a Drug and Alcohol Safety Compliance Administrator, where she was responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, managing testing programs, maintaining accurate records, and supporting organizational safety initiatives. Her expertise in database management has enabled her to oversee large volumes of critical data with precision, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and reporting integrity.

In addition to her compliance and administrative experience, Lacey has a proven background in business development, helping organizations in the oil and gas industry identify growth opportunities, strengthen client partnerships, and expand service offerings. She also served as an NCMS Account Manager, where she successfully managed client accounts, provided exceptional customer service, coordinated program implementation, and supported clients in meeting their compliance and operational objectives.

Dave is a Certified Safety Professional and proven field safety leader with extensive experience in safety management for high-risk infrastructure and marine operations within the oil and gas industry. He specializes in helping clients strengthen safety performance, reduce incident potential, and build sustainable, behavior-based safety cultures that drive results in the field, especially in critical emergency response situations.

With hands-on experience ranging from remote vessel repairs to large-scale onshore maintenance and capital projects, Dave collaborates directly with crews and leadership teams to identify hazards early, implement practical safeguards, and ensure compliance is achieved without slowing down production. He is known for bringing real-world solutions to complex jobsite challenges, improving accountability, and embedding safety into daily operations.

Dave’s direct communication style, field credibility, and coaching approach make him a trusted partner for clients seeking safer operations, stronger workforce engagement, and measurable risk reduction.

Iftikhar Ali is our International Business Development leader in the oil and gas industry. He is a seasoned executive with over 39 years of multi-disciplinary experience, recognized for his strategic vision and proven leadership in global energy operations. His expertise spans the full lifecycle of upstream activities, including Wellbore Construction, Well Intervention, Reservoir Management, and Production Assurance, with a strong emphasis on safety management and emergency response protocols.

Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions with major organizations such as Union Texas Petroleum, Baker Hughes Inc., Hydraulic Well Control Inc., Tesco Canada International, Tercel Oilfield Products, AOSS, Weir Oil & Gas (Mathena), and Tawakal Project Management Consultants.

His involvement in the development and implementation of oilfield practices across Pakistan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the United States has equipped him with exceptional cross-cultural insight and a deep understanding of technical, operational, and managerial excellence in complex, global environments.

With over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Darrell LaSalle, Jr. serves as Operations Manager for Williams Safety and Rescue. His extensive background encompasses offshore deep-water, inland, and international operations, where he has worked on various rigs including semi-submersibles, jack-ups, inland barge rigs, and 6th-generation drill ships. Darrell is a proven leader in safety management and emergency response, specializing in on-site safety supervision, first aid response, permit and JSA writing, and thorough accident and incident investigations.

Before joining Williams Safety and Rescue, he held senior roles with reputable industry leaders such as Noble Drilling, Nabors Offshore, Parker Wellbore, and Eagle One Safety Solutions. During this time, he gained valuable experience in managing crews, overseeing complex drilling operations, and ensuring compliance with strict safety standards. His unwavering commitment to safety, teamwork, and operational excellence reflects the core values of Williams Safety and Rescue.