With newcomer Andy Leslie joining our South Island team as operations assistant, we thought it was a good time to run him through our Q&A to get to know him…

Q. What made you want to work for HydroVac?
A. I’ve had some past interactions with HydroVac and liked their gear and can-do attitude. When I was looking for a career change, I saw this job advertised so went for it. The variety was very appealing to me – being in an office role but not chained to a desk.

Q. What excites you about your role?
A. I’ve always been interested in machinery and it works so I’m enjoying learning all about the HydroVac fleet.

Q. What did you do before HydroVac?
A. I spent the last 20 years at a MDF plant. I started as an operator doing everything from lab work, panel production, and operating the energy centre. I then moved on to be a 2IC and then team leader, running one of the crews. This was on a rotating 24/7 shift crew so I was quite often the only manager looking after the whole site. I then took on the environmental officer role, looking after the wastewater systems, compliance water testing and the farm where we irrigated all the process wastewater.

Q. What’s surprised you about HydroVac so far?
A. The fact that we can have the whole day planned and booked then after one phone call everything is reorganised again and again to fit in every customer that needs us. We really do go to the next level to provide excellent customer service.

Q. What are the priorities, now you’re in the role?
A. Now I have my feet on the ground I’m hoping we can get a few systems in place so all those little jobs keep getting done and we can focus on getting the guys out to the customers with the gear in tip-top shape.

Q. Tell us about your home life…
A. I live in the idyllic town of Oxford – I was born and bred here. My wife Karyn and our two girls moved up here 10 years ago to be closer to help my mum out on the farmlet and to buy our first home. Our oldest Jay still lives at home but Hannah has moved down to the big smoke of Christchurch for work.

Q. How do you relax? 
A. We’ve always loved camping so last year we bought a caravan and Karyn and I hit the road exploring the South Island whenever we’re able to. Apart from that, we spend a lot of time with our extended family, usually involving far too much eating, drinking and playing all manner of card and board games.

Q. What would surprise us about you?
A. I play competitive cards. Every Wednesday night I can be found at “The Club” playing euchre and have even represented my local Working Men’s Club at a couple of national tournaments for euchre and cribbage.