Our People
Our People Behind the Scenes
Our people are dedicated specialists who come together to make SWE the success it is today. Behind the scenes is a team of people who provide input into the management and operations at SWE, because better never stops.
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- Automation
- Design and Application
- Electrical Services
- Logistics and Yard Team
- Management Team
- Mechanical Engineers
- Office Team
- Project Team
- Service Division
- Winery Division
Stephen Leitch
Management Team
Managing Director
B.Hort, Grad Dip Ed (Agriculture)
Stephen Leitch has been designing and project managing pumping and dairy and vineyard irrigation installations in Marlborough for nearly two decades. His focus on excellent design and return on investment for clients is combined with honesty and integrity in his business relationships. When you book your first consultation, it will probably be Stephen who comes to call.
Mike Cooper
Management Team, Project Team
Project Manager
MBA (Dist), NZ Cert Eng (Civil)
Mike has a Civil Engineering background as well as considerable management experience. He brings a wealth of operational, technical, and strategic skills to the business. Mike also champions our Health and Safety focus, ensuring our track record in this area remains impeccable. He is a self-confessed perfectionist on behalf of our clients, and is always looking for ways we can do things better.
Glen Proffit
Service Division
Operations Manager
Glen’s our main man when it comes to coordinating service schedules and making sure our projects run smoothly. He monitors quality control and provides technical support to keep everything running smoothly and on time, and embraces our company philosophy of continual improvement. Glen is the main point of contact for any call-outs or job-related queries.
Erin Lynch
Office Team
Office Administrator
Erin is the glue that holds us all together and assists in the smooth running of the office. She is likely to be the friendly voice on the other end of the phone when you ring us.
Paul Busson
Design and Application, Management Team, Office Team
Design and Application Engineer
Certificate in Agricultural Engineering (Distinction)
Paul enjoys working alongside our clients to provide full design details and systems appropriate for their individual requirements. He provides technical support and expertise to our clients and our projects.
Nick Popa
Design and Application, Management Team, Office Team
Design and Application Engineer
Bachelor in Management and Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Nick is an engineering professional with long experience in the irrigation industry. Nick is solutions-focused, skilled at understanding our clients' needs and resolving complex and unique design requirements.
Matthew Wearn
Design and Application, Office Team
R&D Intern
Bachelor of Natural Resources Engineering (Hons)
Matthew joins SWE as an intern, working on the R&D for some of our 'Smart' services. Matthew is interested in working at the intersection of fluid mechanics and ecological design to provide future-proofed engineering solutions for our clients.
Mark Jackson
Electrical Services
Industrial Electrician and Field Technician
EWRB NZ Practising License, Level 4 Electrical Engineer, Certificates in Automation - CBUS/Control 4/Hills DSC
Mark is an experienced industrial electrician with expertise in PLC programming, installation and diagnostics. Mark has extensive commercial experience including on commercial/industrial communications systems, data security, and control system design, programming and wiring. Mark likes to think about the big picture for our clients, and takes pride in his 'can do' attitude.
Hayden Giles
Electrical Services
Industrial Electrician
EWRB NZ Practising License, Level 4 Electrical Engineer
Hayden is a key member of our electrical team, bringing to the table experience with new commercial installations, as well as winery maintenance and electrical maintenance for the aquaculture industry. Hayden works hard to deliver state of the art electrical installations and a proactive maintenance and development service.
Jason Bennett
Electrical Services
Industrial Electrician and Field Technician
Qualifications
Jason is a qualified industrial electrician, who brings many years of experience to the SWE electrical division. Jason's background includes work in forestry, domestic and industrial electrical work - making him well placed to understand our clients' needs across various sectors. Jason likes to think about the big picture for our clients, and takes pride in his 'can do' attitude.
Zak Hayward
Automation, Electrical Services
Systems Integration Engineer
National Certificate Electrical Engineering Level 4, Schneider Electric Alliance Integration Partner
Zak’s wide industry experience includes industrial and commercial projects throughout wineries and vineyards, as well as the marine, industrial, consumer, forestry, mining, recycling and refrigeration fields. His experience in instrumentation, process design, PLC/SCADA software development, electrical design, commissioning and diagnostics is second to none – and he helps us deliver sustainable system solutions for our clients. We call him our 'techs-pert', especially when it comes to automation and architecture.
Jared Silcock
Electrical Services, Service Division
Field Technician
Jared is a highly capable Field Technician at SWE, fully committed to delivering the best for our clients. His proactive, problem-solving approach is highly respected by our team, and invaluable for our clients.
Myles Grinter
Automation, Design and Application, Electrical Services, Security
Security Technician
National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Level 2, Licenced Security Technician
Myles is SWE's specialist security technician helping us provide our clients with a full suite of security services - from identifying, designing, installing and servicing security systems - matched to each business' specific needs. Myles has 6 years' experience in security, meaning we can offer full security options to rest homes, schools, forestry operations, farms and vineyards, aquaculture sites and wineries.
John Ihaka
Service Division
Field Technician
Friendly and rarely seen without a smile on his face, John’s focus is always on delivering quality workmanship for our clients.
Tony McConaghey
Mechanical Engineers, Project Team, Service Division
Field Mechanical Engineer
Fitter Welder
Tony is SWE’s fitter/welder and mechanical engineer - with broad experience in engineering, mechanical and heavy diesel industries. Tony can fix pretty well anything; look at it, pull it apart, put it back together and it will work. You might say he’s our resident problem-solver. Tony’s expertise enhances our ability to complete fabrication work in-house.
Tony Mason
Project Team, Service Division
Field Supervisor
Experienced in all types of on-site field work and irrigation installation Tony's strengths include problem solving and his attention to detail, with a special interest in pumping. Tony keeps projects moving, and is a core part of the team assisting existing clients with current projects.
Malcolm Clemett
Project Team, Service Division
Field Technician
Malcolm is one of our dedicated Field Technicians here at SWE. He takes pride in delivering effective end-to-end solutions for our clients.
Irmi Watt
Service Division
Environmental Technician
Irmi leads our environmental monitoring efforts and is actively involved with the Te Hoiere / Pelorus Catchment Project. She also heads up our shift project on recycling.
Johan Nieuwoudt
Project Team, Service Division
Field Technician
Johan has a background in technical support, and is a skilled fault-finder and problem solver. He enjoys fixing problems for our clients, and identifying opportunities for improvements. Johan is a team player with a passion for good customer service and a sharp eye for detail.
Steve Leslie
Service Division
Field Technician
Steve helps to keep everything running smoothly and on time, and embraces our company philosophy of continual improvement.
Harriet Lock-Ingram
Service Division
Shift Project Leader
Harriet supports us with our “Shift Projects”- such as our recycling and waste reduction projects - as part of our company commitment to sustainability. Harriet helps us get things done!
Peter Clark
Logistics and Yard Team
Yard Team
Peter works with Glenn to keep the yard at SWE HQ in tip top shape.
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