John Deere has revealed the long list of winners from its fourth annual Technician of the Year awards, with five Australians claiming a top prize in Brisbane.
Bradley Skinner, Kirsten Rush, Andrew Moat, Daniel Barnes, and Tracy Hogan represented the Australian winners on the night. Adding an international flavour, Marcus Vine, Daniel Stoneley, and Liam Gee were award recipients from New Zealand.
“Bradley, Kirsten, Andrew, Daniel and Tracy represent the best of the best in customer service, technical proficiency and problem-solving skills, and thoroughly deserve their awards,” Luke Chandler, John Deere Australia and New Zealand managing director, said.
“The calibre of each of this year’s finalists is a testament to the value we place on providing the best possible service to our customers and communities. They came to Brisbane this week with a proven track record of supporting farmers and construction and forestry businesses to increase their productivity and get the most out of their investment in John Deere equipment.
“It’s promising to see the pipeline of talented technicians who will continue to support our customers across the country.
“I would also like to acknowledge the New Zealand winners tonight, Marcus Vine, Daniel Stonely and Liam Gee.”
Skinner claimed Australia’s Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year. Rush was named the Parts Technician of the Year, and fellow Victorian Moat was awarded Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year. There was double delight in Queensland as Barnes celebrated winning the Service Apprentice of the Year Award and Hogan taking out the Parts Apprentice of the Year.
More than 130 nominees were put forward from across 69 dealerships across Australia and New Zealand. The finalists, of which there were 32, travelled to John Deere’s Australian headquarters in Brisbane for a final assessment process which tested diagnostic capabilities, technical knowledge and customer service skills.
Steph Gersekowski, John Deere Australia and New Zealand director of aftermarket and customer Support, said the diversity of this year’s finalists showed it’s never too late to become a technician.
“Not all the finalists have traditional rural or farming backgrounds – many of them have made the switch from other careers,” she said.
“John Deere is committed to providing every opportunity to learn and develop within the role, which has been clearly on show in the standard of finalists we have seen over the past two days of testing.
“One thing they all have in common is a commitment to supporting our customers and contributing to the communities in which they work and live.”
Australian Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year
- Bradley Skinner, AFGRI Equipment, Esperance, Western Australia
New Zealand Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year
- Marcus Vine, Brandt, Feilding, North Island
Australian Parts Technician of the Year
- Kirsten Rush, Brandt, Ballarat, Victoria
New Zealand Parts Technician of the Year
- Daniel Stoneley, Brandt, Masterton, North Island
Australian Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year
- Andrew Moat, RDO Equipment, Derrimut, Victoria
New Zealand Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year
- Liam Gee, Drummond & Etheridge, Blenheim, South Island
Service Apprentice of the Year
- Daniel Barnes, RDO Equipment, Beaudesert, Queensland
Parts Apprentice of the Year
- Tracy Hogan, RDO Equipment, Emerald, Queensland