05/22/2026
We’re excited to spotlight Branch Muller, our Director of Risk Management and Safety.
Branch joined Kowalski nearly two years ago, drawn by the company’s culture, which remains his favorite part of the job. He values collaborating across departments and seeing how each role contributes to overall success. In his role, Branch focuses on protecting the Kowalski brand, people, property, and operations by helping teams identify risks early and implement practical, effective safety measures.
Over the past year, Branch completed 52 initiatives, but he is most proud of helping shift how Risk and Safety are perceived across the organization. He has worked to build a culture of trust and transparency and encourages team members to raise concerns openly. Branch believes communication is his most essential tool. He listens carefully, asks the right questions, and sets clear expectations. He approaches each situation with fairness and a fresh perspective and values understanding existing processes before making changes. Many people do not realize he also supports business development efforts.
Outside of work, Branch enjoys fishing for sockeye salmon on the Kenai River with family and friends and, more recently, spending time with his granddaughter. A couple of fun facts: he once worked in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in temperatures as low as negative 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and early in his career, he served as a Safety Engineer on the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup project, the largest manmade disaster in Alaska. Now that’s impressive!
