CCO Certification is pleased to announce that Brandon Hitch, currently Chief Executive Officer of the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA), will be joining CraneSafe USA and CCO Certification in July 2026 as a Senior Director. An engineer with extensive experience supporting the crane and load-handling industry, Hitch brings a proven record of advancing safety, standards development, and industry collaboration – both nationally and internationally. Hitch’s appointment reflects CraneSafe USA and CCO’s continued commitment to strengthening the Gold Standard in certification and helping elevate safety outcomes across the industry.
A Career Rooted in Engineering, Standards, and Industry Leadership
In Hitch’s early career, he worked as a senior engineer for HIAB, a large articulating crane manufacturing company. Through this experience, he was able to bridge technical engineering principles with real-world lifting operations. Hitch then joined CICA in 2011, initially serving as the CraneSafe Engineer. In 2014, Hitch was selected to succeed his predecessor as CEO, a role he has held for more than a decade. Over that time, he became deeply involved in standards development, regulatory engagement, and helping support CICA members as Australia’s crane industry navigated evolving compliance expectations. “Being part of standards and guidance work [is] where meaningful change happens,” Hitch said. “Too often there aren’t enough people willing to put their hand up. I’ve tried to be someone who steps forward because the outcomes matter.”
International Collaboration and a Global Perspective
Hitch has participated in an active role in international crane and lifting forums, including several years of involvement with the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly (ICSA) and participation in ISO standards activities. He has collaborated with leading organizations and associations across multiple regions, reinforcing a mindset around safety. Hitch is involved with key industry associations such as SC&RA, AEM, ESTA and FEM. Hitch’s work in ISO standards and industry associations closely aligns with CraneSafe and CCO’s mission—serving as an industry resource and developing programs that are credible, defensible, and built by industry experts.
Bringing CraneSafe Experience to Green Sticker by CraneSafe
A key part of Hitch’s background includes direct involvement with CraneSafe Australia. CraneSafe is a long-standing third-party crane inspection program in Australia that has become widely recognized and deeply embedded across the industry throughout the past 16 years. Hitch described CraneSafe as a “testimony to self-regulation,” developed by the industry to strengthen safety outcomes and reduce risk by emphasizing the value of independent assessment and a consistent inspection framework.
As CCO continues to expand Green Sticker by CraneSafe throughout the United States, Hitch will help support its growth and industry adoption by working to reinforce the program’s credibility, long-term impact and spread awareness regarding the importance of standardized periodic inspections. “The goal is to build a program that gives the industry confidence in two ways: the quality of the inspection criteria and the caliber of the inspector,” Hitch said. “When you combine excellent inspectors with excellent inspection standards, the assurance level rises significantly.”
Why CCO and What Comes Next
Hitch expressed that his decision to join the organization was driven by having shared values and goals with CCO. Commitment to outcomes, quality, and mission-first leadership coupled with the opportunity to help build lasting programs that strengthen safety across the industry. “I wanted to be part of something I believe in—something exceptional,” Hitch said. “If we can help move the industry toward a ‘better tomorrow,’ that’s tangible. It means people go home safe.” In his new role, Hitch will contribute across multiple areas of the organization, supporting CCO’s mission through strategic leadership and industry engagement.
A Message to the Industry
As he transitions to this new chapter, Hitch emphasized openness, learning, and shared progress. Hitch stated, “I’m looking forward to learning from the people here, contributing what I can, and helping raise knowledge in a way that supports better decisions and safer outcomes.” CCO Certification looks forward to welcoming Brandon Hitch and to the added momentum his leadership brings as CraneSafe USA and CCO continue to expand programs that strengthen safety, consistency, and confidence across the load-handling industry.