Darren Vedder Email & Phone Number

Rotorua

Rotorua Operational Support Unit

Volunteer Senior Fire Fighter in the Rotorua Operational Support Unit.

Rotorua

Lift Maintenance is my core skill as a Maintenance Engineer here at Skyline, and I take great pride in helping to provide clean, reliable and safe aerial ropeways. I am grateful for the many years and many ski areas that have shaped my career. As such, it has been fun sharing lessons from the snow that have made tasks more enjoyable and safer. Also, I have created a Facebook group to share my passion for lift maintenance and allow idea sharing across the industry: www.facebook.com/groups/liftmaintenance.In the time I have been employed at Skyline I have worked hard to learn it's systems and processes. With previous experience in maintenance management I have helped implement many systems that the maintenance team now use daily. Specifically: 10 year, Annual and 90 day plans as well as maintenance request and stock management systems. I have enjoyed working with the Chief Engineer to assist in improving the Skyline Preventive Maintenance System. As a champion of Health and Safety (and as the department's Health and Safety Rep), I feel a strong responsibility for ensuring that we all make it home to our families safe at the end of the day. In this regard I feel that our team has grown greatly and I enjoy the camaraderie of everyone looking out for each other. Working all over the Skyline Rotorua property I am confident that I understand the maintenance requirements of our many assets and more importantly I enjoy the interactions that I have with our many Skyline staff. I enjoy the relationships developed with contractors, external suppliers, other ropeway operators and industry leaders. I have a drive for continuous self improvement. I am grateful for the support that Skyline offers for development and enjoyed the following: Doppelmayr Hydraulics and Drives,Clinton Yeats' training in 'Lean thinking',Competenz Occupational Health and Safety Level 3,QEC Approved Handler classes 2,3ETCO Electrical Appliance Serviceperson

Methven, Canterbury, New Zealand

In my role at Mt Hutt it was my goal to " Lead the World in Snowsport Experiences" by ensuring all of our facilities and fleet were maintained to the highest standard. Using preventative, predictive and reactive strategies, I enjoyed working with our highly qualified team of technicians in increasing uptime for our colleagues and guests enjoyment.I enjoyed working closely with operational departments in procedure development to aid in operational efficiencies and provide training pathways.Working with the leadership team I took pride in developing policies that focus on safety of both staff and guests, while retaining practicality for user buy-in.To ensure we met all regulations and codes I enjoyed the opportunity to develop relationships with governing agencies and contractors, especially where we had responsibility to the sustainability of our environment.To aid in the planning and management of maintenance, I helped implement Maintenance Assistant CMMS. Alongside budget and capex tools this provided us with a means to measure and improve asset management performance.Coaching was an important part of my job and was a great challenge. I took satisfaction in seeing staff achieving their goals while enjoying our unique industry.

Methven Volunteer Brigade

Wanaka, New Zealand

I have enjoyed this position as one that challenges my engineering abilities not only with aerial rope-ways but with snow groomers, diesel generators, snow-mobiles, snow-making machines and vertical water pumps. As well, I have furthered my knowledge of building maintenance, widening my asset awareness, including Kitchen Appliances, water, gas and waste-water management practices.Working with the management team, I have set out to improve work record keeping, with an aim to better plan future maintenance and therefore reduce costs and increase plant productivity. To this end I have introduced the “Maintenance Assistant CMMS” a JAVA based server that manages the maintenance scheduling of all assets: saving time working out schedules, while centralising information for easier auditing and reporting. More information at www.maintenanceassistant.com.

Owhango, New Zealand

I took this opportunity to add the agriculture industry to my experience portfolio and Ihave found that my skills in engineering have been very beneficial in the maintenanceand improvement of Dairy plant; tractors/implements and effluent pumping systems. Iam now confident in all areas of farm operation including pasture management,breeding and milk harvesting.

Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand

In this role I received most of my maintenance experience. From operator to mechanic to supervisor I have gained a thorough understanding of engineering and maintenance techniques as well as developed skills in communicating with both internal staff and external contractors.Principally I was responsible for a team of five mechanics providing preventative and corrective maintenance to all surface and aerial rope-ways in the Whakapapa Ski Area (including but not limited to AC, DC and diesel drives, hydraulic systems, heavy gearboxes and control systems).Given the size and location of the lifts, I have become very organised and enjoy the challenge of coordinating maintenance projects from budget forecasting to resource direction to inspection sign off. I also enjoyed the implementation of a new maintenance record system allowing more accurate work planning, thus improving preventative maintenance and reducing stock inventories.

Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand

A natural extension of my maintenance role, I became the on-site representative for Doppelmayr NZ coordinating internal and external contractors in the construction of the High Noon Express Chairlift (Turoa, Mt. Ruapehu). I was hands on from surveying through foundation building, mechanical fitting, testing and handover. I found this role very challenging and satisfying; ensuring construction work met all requirements including deadlines, budget and quality expectations.

Rotorua, New Zealand

Here I assisted with the construction of the new Gondola at Skyline Skyrides, Rotorua. An enjoyable experience in which I developed my understanding of Lift Construction whilst showcasing my welder/fitter skills.

Ludlow, Vermont

In this role I worked in a team of 6 mechanics maintaining, operating and inspecting surface and aerial rope-ways (Poma-Leitner Lifts). These two seasons paved the way for my career in maintenance where I was heavily influenced by the culture of high quality preventative maintenance and the resulting minimal downtime.

Diploma In Engineering, Mechanical, Mechanical Design

Activities and Societies: Student Representative for Student Association

Education record