About Us
Principal | Director of Corporate Development
Dave Summers, C.E.T., FS Eng (TÜV Rheinland)
Dave brings a strong combination of technical expertise and business development acumen to Watchmen, with a proven background in customer relationship building, sales, and marketing. As a certified Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland) and a Chemical Engineering Technologist, he offers deep knowledge in process safety with a particular focus on mitigative safeguarding strategies.
Dave is a passionate advocate for risk-based safety methodologies, driven by a commitment to protecting people and sharing the importance of process safety across industries. He plays a key role in helping clients understand and implement the IEC 61511/61508 standards throughout the safety lifecycle.
Dave specializes in:
- Functional Safety Consulting
- Alarm Management Strategy & Implementation
- Fire & Gas System Engineering
His unique blend of technical depth and client-centered communication makes him a trusted partner in developing and delivering effective safety solutions.
Principal | Director of Engineering
Shaun Williamson, P.L.(Eng.), CFSE, PMP
Shaun is a Certified Functional Safety Expert (CFSE) with over 25 years of global experience in functional safety, instrumentation & controls, and project management. He has led numerous safety-critical projects across diverse sectors including chemical processing, oil & gas, oil sands, pipelines, railcar loading, pulp & paper, brewing, and manufacturing.
A recognized contributor to the ongoing development and improvement of industry process safety standards, Shaun applies deep technical knowledge and practical insight to support compliance with IEC 61511 and IEC 61508, delivering effective and sustainable safety lifecycle solutions.
Shaun specializes in:
- SIL/SIS Consulting
- Alarm Management
- Fire & Gas System Engineering
- HAZOP & LOPA Facilitation
His ability to integrate advanced engineering practices with real-world operational needs makes him a trusted advisor for both large-scale and specialized safety projects.
Principal | Director of Operations
Carsten Acker, P.L.(Eng.), FS Eng (TÜV Rheinland), CFSE, CSP
Carsten is a dual-certified Functional Safety expert (TÜV Rheinland & Exida) with 20 years of experience in functional safety, alarm management, instrumentation & controls, and project management. Known for his ability to lead cross-functional teams and apply process safety principles across a wide range of industries, Carsten has delivered successful projects in oil & gas, pipelines, chemicals, agriculture, hydrogen, renewables, and more.
His work spans diverse global regions—including North America, Africa, the Middle East, and New Zealand—and reflects a deep understanding of both technical compliance and real-world implementation. Carsten applies advanced knowledge of the IEC 61511/IEC 61508 standards to guide clients through the safety lifecycle, ensuring systems are not only compliant but effective in reducing risk.
He also has extensive experience developing and implementing alarm management strategies that align with safety and operational performance goals.
Carsten specializes in:
- HAZOP & LOPA Facilitation
- SIL / SIS Consulting
- Alarm Management
- Fire & Gas System Engineering
With a strong combination of technical depth and global project leadership, Carsten is a trusted advisor for clients seeking robust, risk-informed safety solutions.
Senior Functional Safety Engineer
Richard Carter, P.Eng, FSP, B.Sc. Chemical Engineering
Richard Carter is a Functional Safety Professional and Professional Engineer (P.Eng) with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and over 15 years of experience in process safety, risk analysis, and engineering design.
Richard has facilitated hundreds of Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) across a wide range of industries—including oil & gas and petrochemicals — in projects spanning the globe. His facilitation style combines technical precision with practical insight, ensuring risk studies are both thorough and actionable.
A regular presenter at global process safety conferences, Richard is recognized for his contributions to the advancement of best practices in hazard identification, risk assessment, and functional safety.
He also has a strong interest in human factors engineering, applying those principles to improve design effectiveness, reduce operational risk, and enhance the usability and reliability of safety systems.
Richard specializes in:
- PHA Facilitation (HAZOP, LOPA, What-If, HAZID)
- SIL / SIS Consulting
- Human Factors Integration in Risk Studies
- Functional Safety Lifecycle Support
Richard’s global experience, technical depth, and focus on human-centered safety make him a trusted resource for clients seeking robust and sustainable risk management solutions.
Our Community
Watchmen is a proud supporter of the Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser
This walk raises money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.