Jeff Sessler Featured in Construction & Demolition Recycling
By Construction & Demolition Recycling, https://www.cdrecycler.com
BY JEFF LAMBERT | JULY 2025
Elevating industry standards
The National Demolition Association’s Certified Demolition Supervisor certification equips leaders to safely manage demolition projects.
In the demolition industry, safety, expertise and leadership are essential. The National Demolition Association’s (NDA’s) Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) certification serves as a crucial measure of professional competence in these areas and is becoming a standard in the industry. CDS certification validates the capabilities of supervisors in handling complex demolition projects while reinforcing a commitment to safety and efficiency.
For Jeff Sessler of Sessler Wrecking, Waterloo, New York, the decision to encourage his team to pursue the CDS certification came down to ensuring his workforce is equipped with the knowledge to handle the industry’s challenges.
“The CDS is a thorough way to ensure you have the right people with the right knowledge running the work and leading the team safely and efficiently,” Sessler says.
As a company that mandates the Occupational Safety and Health Association’s 30 training, Sessler is moving toward making CDS certification a requirement for superintendents.
“The demolition industry is extremely complex, and some sites change conditions daily, or even faster. It’s making sure that your team is led by someone who has the experience and expertise,” Sessler says of the CDS certification.
This focus on safety and leadership separates those certified through the CDS program from others in the industry, Sessler says.
Don Collier, principal and director of field operations for Milburn Demolition, Bellwood, Illinois, shares similar sentiments. Having been involved with the NDA Certification Board since the program’s inception, Collier views the CDS certification as a badge of honor for those willing to put in the effort.
“It’s a true national measurement to test their abilities to be a safe and successful, high-level field supervisor,” Collier says.
He further explains that the rigorous nature of the CDS certification process helps distinguish between those who simply want to lead and those who are truly qualified to do so.
“It vets out the ‘wanters’ from the qualified people,” he adds.
Addressing industry complexities
Both Sessler and Collier recognize the unique challenges that come with managing demolition projects. These challenges are one reason why the CDS program has been structured carefully to address real-world complexities.
“The program ensures that there is a thorough knowledge of all aspects of demolition and prioritizes safety,” Sessler says.
He acknowledges certification is increasingly required in job specifications, giving companies like Sessler Wrecking a competitive edge. “We’ve been awarded work by showing the additional training our superintendents carry.”
Expanding on this point, Collier highlights the years of experience and effort that have gone into developing the CDS certification.
“We really put time and effort into making it unique,” he says. “The processes that have been put in place, from the sponsorships to the way the exam content is structured, all ensure that those earning the CDS are truly qualified to lead,” Collier adds.
According to Collier, the certification is designed to maintain a high standard in the industry, which benefits not only the certified individuals but the companies they work for and the industry as a whole.
Encouraging certification for future leaders
For companies that might not yet be encouraging CDS certification, both Sessler and Collier offer advice. Sessler says the certification can advance individual careers while also benefiting the entire organization.
“If you want to advance yourself, get the certification,” Sessler says. “It shows that you are a leader willing to take the time to become certified to be a better leader for your team and organization.”
Collier is equally passionate about the benefits of the CDS certification, particularly when it comes to safety.
“We’re trying as a group here to raise the bar and the standards in the industry to keep all of the field workers safe and successful, and that all starts with leadership,” he says.
For him, the equation is simple: “If you keep an organized project, and you run it safely and successfully, and you have a talented supervisor, you’re making money.”
Advice for aspiring supervisors
For those considering pursuing the CDS certification, Collier says it’s worth the effort.
“The CDS program is not for everybody. It’s for those high-level supervisors who want more,” he says.
When it’s time to sit for the exam, Collier’s final piece of advice is simple: “Relax, take a breath and choose with your gut because those people are the people that we want.”
Sessler concurs, noting that by obtaining the certification, supervisors can demonstrate their commitment to leading safely and efficiently in a challenging industry.
As the demolition industry evolves, the CDS certification is proving to be a critical tool in elevating safety standards and leadership quality across the field.
