I started as an apprentice in the Training Program back in 1982 and graduated in 1985. I worked in sand and gravel and eventually moved into the building trades. I have run everything from a shovel behind a tail pulley to forklifts and on to tower cranes. I was hired by the training program in 1990 as a Training Coordinator. I remained the Training Coordinator for 12 years and although I very much enjoyed that position because I was working directly with the contractors and apprentices, I accepted the Training Director position and now oversee all aspects of training. We have experienced tremendous growth and change which is enabling us to become one of the best training programs in the country and I very much appreciate being a part of it all. Our goal here is very simple; it is to make the difference between an average operating engineer to a truly outstanding one by providing them with state-of-the-art instruction using modern up-to-date equipment. Here everybody gets a seat and one on one instruction. This enables us to train people to be the very best in the industry, building upon the union foundation that was before us, making it even stronger and greater for those that will follow us. I encourage you to come to the center to see what it is all about.

Contact me at jatc@oetraining.com

I started with the Operating Engineers in 1987 in the apprenticeship. I worked in the field doing dirt work and some crane work until 1999. In 1999 I got hired as the dispatcher at Local 302 and in 2000 started at the training program as Apprenticeship Coordinator. I work with the apprentices helping to find work, answer questions, help with any problems regarding their training that may come up during the course of their apprenticeship. I do some of the recruiting and enjoy the opportunity to tell people about apprenticeship. I love working with the apprentices and am grateful for the support I get from the training program staff, the JATC, the Locals and the Agents. I can be contacted by calling the Training Program Office, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday.

Contact me at tami@oetraining.com

I began as an Apprentice Operating Engineer in 1990. I have had the good fortune to work in all phases of dirt work, sand and gravel, paving, and some bridge construction. I have run everything from a roller to a drag line, while learning how to organize work. I started in the training program as a satellite Grade Instructor in 2000, moved to full-time at the new Training Center in 2003, and became a Training Coordinator in June of 2005. The Training program allows me to teach the majority of the safety courses. I am also able to be on several safety committees throughout the state. I get to outreach in all kinds of places to tell people about the advantages available through apprenticeship. I thoroughly enjoy working with the apprentices and hope to have helped them learn valuable skills which will allow them, to be highly skilled and professional members of our Union, and therefore be successful in life and have all the tools they need to carry on our traditions of excellence far into the future. I can be contacted by calling the Training Program Office, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday.

Contact me at sandy@oetraining.com

I began working heavy construction in 1980 in Kent as a backhoe operator digging underground utilities. Following that, I operated excavators, loaders, dozers, and drove dump trucks. I joined the Local 302 union in 1996 and went to work for Goodfellow Brothers working on road and dam projects. I soon became a foreman and stayed there until the work slowed down. Soon after, I was hired with Scarsella Brothers as a Superintendent for road projects in which I worked for many years. I have been with the Training Center since 2003. In my opinion, the Training Center is one of the best tools the union and industry can have and I am happy to bring my experience and help to add to it.

Contact me at george@oetraining.com

I became an equipment operator with IUOE local 302 in 1989. I operated a large variety of equipment. In 1990, I became aware of the Training Program and took one of the first Hazmat training courses. I took some more training courses with the Training Program including cranes, asphalt, and crusher plant operations. These courses were very valuable to me and allowed me to become employed with Goodfellow Brothers for 12 years. I also worked for Traylor Pacific on Rocky Reach Dam on the juvenile fish bypass until I was called to work for WACONI on January 2003 as interim master mechanic. I moved with the Training Center to Ellensburg and am now the Equipment Superintendant. I enjoy working with the Training Program because it gives me the opportunity to meet all the people that come through our gates. I feel fortunate to be able to pass on what I know to other people. This is a Training Center so that means people are learning to run equipment. As they are learning the equipment, they sometimes break things. This is okay because this is the place to learn in a safe environment. I look forward to seeing you here!

Contact me at tom@oetraining.com

I became a mechanic in 1972. I spent 3 years in the Army as a combat engineer. I discovered I liked working with my hands and being outside. I attended Bates Vocational at the welding school. I applied to the apprenticeship in 1975 and started in June of 1976. I graduated in 1979 and applied to 302 parent body and was accepted. I spent the next few years in and out of Alaska and Washington. I have worked all up and down the West coast and Hawaii. I applied to Job Corp in 2003 to be a mechanic instructor; I spent 11 months there before coming to work at the training center. I enjoy this job because I get to work with good people and now it’s close to home!

Contact me at jatc@oetraining.com

I became an operator because it looked like a fun way to make a living. I started operating equipment on a little airstrip in Alaska in 1968. After college it seemed like the best thing to gravitate back to. With the onset of the Alaska pipeline, it provided many young people like myself a golden opportunity. In the past 35 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work on pipelines and building projects throughout Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. I feel very privileged to have worked with some very knowledgeable and capable operating engineers. I have been afforded opportunity to operate a variety of equipment and enjoy the challenge of operating cranes. My last employer was Ness Crane where I worked for 7 years. I began at the Training Center in October 2005. Having attended many classes at the Training Center since my first time in 1978 and have greatly benefited from much of the education received and I am very appreciative to those that took the extra time to me to ensure my success as an operator. I felt being an instructor was a perfect opportunity to give back to the next generation that many of the old hands that came before gave to me. If it hadn’t been for those old guys in their 40’s when I was in my 20’s that took the extra time with me, I would not be where I am today.

Contact me at gary@oetraining.com

I became an operator because I enjoy working outdoors and I found that all my previous jobs were not challenging or fulfilling. I started in the Apprenticeship Program in 1996 and worked for Ceccanti, Washington Group, and Segale. I started working at the Training Center in spring 2005. I love being a grade instructor because it is gratifying knowing that I am helping others to do what is considered one of the most important aspects of dirt work. My goal is to continue helping others and pass on my knowledge to improve the skill levels of my students. Learning grade checking is absolutely critical to holding a job as an equipment operator and I encourage members to challenge themselves by taking my grade class.

Contact me at corrie@oetraining.com

My construction career started within Job Corps in White Swan in Spring 1995. I was accepted into the apprenticeship program in May 1996 and graduated in Fall 1999. I have worked wtihin the construction industry for over 11 years and it is rewarding to be a part of the construction crew that builds roads, bridges, highways, and many other things that make our community a better place. I became an instructor at the Training Center in January 2007. I love being an instructor at the Training Center because it allows me to meet and help people from all different backgrounds and teach them all that I know.

Contact me at efrain@oetraining.com

I grew up on a farm running equipment so I knew early on that operating heavy equipment is what I wanted to do in life. I started in Local 302 in 1989 and have worked for many contractors such as Tri-State, Merlino, Cadman, and my last employer was Leingang in Yakima. I started at the Training Center in October 2006. I like working here because I get to see people improve their operating skills very quickly; it’s like going from 0 to 60. The training here is fast-paced and intense and that’s the part I enjoy. I also like all the people that come through here; it gives me the opportunity to pass on my skills and abilities. My goal is to improve the program and contribute my expertise.

Contact me at dennis@oetraining.com

I started working construction and running equipment in 1978. From 1978 to 1986 I worked for a few small contractors in the Puget Sound area that did mostly underground utilities and communication work. In 1986, I started Moore Construction Co. Inc. specializing in underground utilities. In 1996, I joined IUOE Local 612 and have been smiling ever since. I had been working primarily as an operator foreman or superintendent until a couple of years ago when I decided to be just an operator and leave the paperwork and long hours to the up and coming. I started working as an instructor at the Training Center in September 2007. To me, it is very enjoyable and gratifying to teach someone a few "old tricks" or an easier and better way of doing things and see a smile come across their face and get an occasional "thank you". I look at my time here as a way of paying back to the industry that has been good to me and my family.

Contact me at bill@oetraining.com

I started my heavy equipment mechanic trade in North Dakota. I graduated from the Lake Region Junior College diesel program in Devils Lake, ND in 1979. From there I worked for the county highway department, Terex heavy equipment dealership, and two different earthmoving contractors as a heavy equipment mechanic. I moved out west to Washington in 1989 and started working for an open pit coal mine in Centralia, WA as a heavy equipment mechanic. I was a mechanic there for 11 years and a maintenance planner for a year and dayshift shop foreman for 6 years. I started working for the Operating Engineer’s Training Program in January 2007 as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic Apprentice Instructor. I have been MSHA certified 30CPR Part 77, Methane detection and Oxygen deficiency, First Aid, CPR and AED trained. I have attended numerous factory training schools on various mining and construction equipment and the SAP maintenance module software and Modular Mining software. I can be reached by email or call me at 206-391-1137.

Contact me at ken@oetraining.com

I have followed my father, cousins, uncles, and brother into Union work in 1976. Although they were equipment hands, I came by way of the US Air Force Site Development program and became a Technical Engineer in Local 302 that same year. Between my military time and Union work, I was breaking into the survey world with a private engineering firm and the Army Corps of Engineers. Because of my strong Union background, I attended Shoreline Community College and received an AAS degree in Labor Studies. I hope I can bring my skills and abilities to our apprentices and journey level members and enhance an already excellent training program.

Contact me at gradetech@oetraining.com

I wanted a career I would enjoy and provide a good lifestyle for me and my family. So, I started in the Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program in 1978. I worked for companies including Bechtel, Kiewit, Snelson/Anvil, Tri-State, and then I ended up at Ness Crane. I started with the Training Program in December 2007. I enjoy working at the Training Center because of the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience by providing qualified and competent employees for the workforce. My goal is to see the Training Program grow, flourish, and remain a valuable provider of educated and qualified operators far into the future of the construction industry.

Contact me at jatc@oetraining.com

I started working for the Training Center in March 2005 as the coordinator for journey level training. In September 2006, I became the Office Manager for the Training Center. I have a Bachelor's degree in Administrative Management and a Minor in Computer Applications from Central Washington University. Working for the training program and helping people complete training to better themselves has been very fulfilling and I hope to continue to assist members signing up for classes and for NCCCO crane certification.

Contact me at katie@oetraining.com

I started at the Training Center in October 2006. I received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1999, and then went on to pursue a career in criminal justice in 2002 and graduated from the Misdemeanant Probation Officer Academy. Currently, as an apprentice coordinator, I work with Tami St. Paul and Sandy Winter, our training coordinators, to set up training, dispatch, and track hours for all of the apprentices. I also network with the Department of Veteran Affairs for our military apprentices. Including daily work with both Local 302 and 612, I also answer multiple questions daily by phone and email about our apprenticeship program from people who are interested in joining. Each day at the Training Center is never the same which makes working here very enjoyable, and my job gives me a chance to use my skills and education. Each month brings a new set of apprentices or journeyman who are attending training, who enjoy what they do, and want to excel in their field. That in itself makes for a positive work day.

Contact me at kelly@oetraining.com

From my first construction job in 1971, I was in awe of heavy equipment and big projects. I still am and my wife says I'm just a big kid at heart. I went through a variety of construction experiences working in the Northwest, Alaska, and American Samoa. Having accomplished most of my career goals, I hope to be able to help others reach theirs.

Contact me at jatc@oetraining.com

I am a 1991 CWU Business/Finance/Bookkeeping graduate and have recently returned to the beautiful Kittitas Valley. After spending many years home with my two boys and then working part-time at their schools, I am actually happy to be managing finances again! My spare time is now busy with my new Quarter Horse mare, “Reigning Badger" and learning the sport of Reining and Reined Cow Horse.

Contact me at diana@oetraining.com