Meet the real MVPs of STL USA
Here at STL USA, we truly believe that people are the heart and backbone of the Wind Energy industry. Our work to build the skills and competencies of wind technicians to ensure growth and success now and in the long term future is what we believe sets us apart from other training providers. We know that to protect our industry to ensure its future health, we need to act now, building and training individuals and teams that can meet the demands of this rapidly growing and developing sector.
And central to our success is our people. At the core of STL USA lies its beating heart, our amazing trainers and support team. Each person who chooses to work at STL USA is handpicked because we see in them that special something that sets them apart. That drive, passion and commitment to the betterment of our industry, making it safer so we can all go home to our family and friends at the end of the day. They get it, it’s people over profits, it’s bigger picture over short-sighted gains, it’s long-term growth over quick wins.
So, with that in mind, we thought we give you a bit of an insight into some of the key players in this remarkable team.
Brandon McKelvain – Head of Training
“I entered the wind industry right out of high school. Worked for both independent companies and a major OEM, performing many technical and management roles. Collected a considerable amount of training and experience across various fields before moving into training.
I chose to work at STL because of their dedication to quality. At STL we have an opportunity to continuously improve the experience for the participants. The technicians in this industry deserve better than what has been around in past decades and over the years I think we have helped to raise the bar. We’ve built an amazing team of industry-experienced instructors with a sole purpose of delivering relevant training to technicians. We get it, because we’ve been there, and we are simply sharing what we wish we had known earlier in our careers.
In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my family. We like the outdoors, working on our land, camping, hiking, etc.”
Marshall Miller – Training Manager
“I was born and raised in Idalou, Texas. Having worked as a Nursing Assistant and EMT for 7 years, I joined the United States Army in 2007 as an Apache Helicopter Mechanic and served my country for 6 years, including multiple tours in Afghanistan, earning a number of commendations, awards and medals.
Upon leaving the Army, I trained as a wind turbine technician and was recruited by Upwind Solutions. I then went on to develop my career working at numourous wind farm before undertaking STL USA’s Train the Trainer program as well as multiple safety and rescue training programs, before joining the STL USA team in early 2022.
I love teaching wind techs because it’s where I come from. There is nothing better than getting techs in my classes and watching them leave thinking differently about the risks and hazards in their real world workplaces. Many techs get complacent regarding their safety and that of those working alongside them. I love to shake up their thinking, risks and hazards are around every corner and you cannot overtrain when it comes to one of the most hazardous workplaces in the world.
I love teaching for STL USA as they share the same passion and vision I do in the importance of quality training for wind techs. We are different to the average training provider. We provide exceptional levels of training, going above and beyond the standard requirements, because we know it’s about more than just getting certified. It’s about protecting people’s lives.”
Jerry Rodriguez – Onsite Training Lead
“I was born in Lubbock, TX and went to school in a little town named Eagle Pass, TX. The past jobs I have had include remodeling houses, landscaping and blade repair for a wind company. That’s where I got experience with turbines. I’m a Volunteer Firefighter and have been involved with that organization for quite a few years. I have worked in shipping and receiving in a warehouse in Rochester, Minnesota. I have also worked roofing, and harvesting onions, watermelons, corn, melons and cotton. I have experience in a little bit of everything!
So, what brought me to STL USA? Well, Brandon gave me a call and asked if I was looking for a new job. He told me that they were looking for someone with experience in wind to instruct classes for safety at wind sites. I said sure, I’ll give it a try. A couple of emails later I was part of STL USA.
I knew Brandon because we used to work for the same company. We get along well together, and we both have experience in wind. I look back and think to myself, Brandon and I helped build STL USA and I love seeing how far we’ve come, it’s amazing. I like working in STL USA because I enjoy helping people understand the importance of safety in the wind Industry. I think we as a company are more like family, we really care about the people coming to take these classes and we try our best to help them out in any way we can. I think that’s why we are different from others in the industry.
The thing I most enjoy about my job is when people tell you that this company is way better than the ones they have had training with in the past. I ask them why and they say they can see we care about their safety and we understand what they are talking about because we used to work where they are working. We understand when they talk about that specific part of that turbine. Something else I really love is when you see them again for a refresher course and they’ve brought more people with them. It is great to create those relationships where every time they see you, they spend time talking to you and say thank you for the training you gave them last year because it helped them so much on their job.
In my free time like to spend time with my familia, going fishing, playing games with my son, playing with my grandbabies, helping with the fire department, woodwork, making leather items, hiking, metal detecting and cooking.”
Ben Dickens – VP North America
“I guess the first thing to say is that I’m an adopted Texan, I’m originally from the U.K. I entered the wind industry at the start of Covid to help out a family member with US projects and growth. When I started running STL USA it was just myself and Brandon. No training center, but some amazing knowledge and great connections through the work that the UK parent company has done through the years.
My background has primarily been in advertising and marketing in strategic planning roles and then starting up agencies. I shifted into consultancy work and found a niche with education businesses, driving growth and leading teams. This has been a great fit as we have grown STL USA over the last few years into one of the leading education providers in wind energy. My passion lies in helping to build the future of what I think is an amazing industry, I know every technician we train has a big role to play in what comes next for wind energy in the USA.
Outside of work I love to spend time with family, exercise and I balance this with a big love of food, cooking it but more importantly eating it.”
Stayed tuned for pt 2 of Meet the Team, coming soon…….
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