Semper Safe: Jason Ion, Manager of Safety and Security, has your back
August 25, 2026 | Team Member Spotlights
If you ask Jason Ion for his safety philosophy, he won’t dress it up. “Be safe,” he says. “That’s all it is,” plain and simple. It’s a mindset forged over 20 years as a Marine, where Jason worked alongside gun crews handling heavy equipment, learning early that safety comes first, no exceptions. That same discipline now shapes how he approaches his newest role at Guest Services: Manager of Safety and Security.
Jason’s path wasn’t linear. After leaving the Marine Corps, he pursued master’s degrees in both business administration and human resources, which led him into the HR department at Guest Services. Before long, safety responsibilities within his role increasingly took priority. Now, his days center on reviewing background checks, workers’ compensation claims, and incident reports, and identifying processes and procedural improvements for helping to prevent future accidents from occurring.
What the Summer Season Taught Us
As the summer winds down, Jason’s read on this year’s incident trends is that rather than dramatic or unusual events, most incidents are attributed to ordinary, everyday moments. Drawer-related hand injuries, trips, and lifting and pulling mishaps make up the bulk of incidents that cross his desk. More so than systematic issues that need to be addressed, Jason notes that taking “that little extra step” to slow down in your day can help prevent accidents.
Because Guest Services operates such a diverse portfolio, from marinas to dining venues, Jason is careful not to apply a one-size-fits-all lens. Liability and lessons learned get evaluated at the unit level, since a dock incident has little bearing on a condo property. That local approach also shapes next year’s training budgets: units with the most incidents this season will see the most focused training investment heading into next year.
Systems Already in Place
Safety audits take place year-round through quarterly checklists that are completed by each property. Checklists are aligned with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expectations, and Jason personally visits properties to verify compliance. Additionally, emergency response drills, including fire drills and spill containment drills, are already built into the yearly calendar.
Looking ahead, Jason would like to build a company-wide emergency action plan that establishes universal protocols (think earthquake and fire response plans) while leaving room for property-specific supplements covering unique hazards, like hazardous chemical communication at marinas. What he finds most rewarding about his role is the people he gets to work with and making sure they’re safe.
Beyond the Job
Outside of work, Jason describes himself as laid-back. He’s picked up fly fishing (no catches yet) and ties his own flies. He also enjoys building model wooden ships—intricate projects that take six months to a year to complete. He’s finished three or four so far, giving some away and keeping the rest on display.
Whether he’s tying a fly, assembling a ship, or building out next year’s safety plans one property at a time, Jason consistently brings a steady, detail-oriented approach, and it’s exactly the mindset that keeps our teams and guests protected.