Team USA, 2016 edition, comes to you from Wisconsin. Here they are, starting from the left:
Kerri Nevala is an office professional who works for Fox Valley Technical College and assists the Department of Workforce Development in coordinating the apprenticed trade contracts and insuring that the apprentices are assigned to the proper classes at the College. Kerri will bring her skills of mutli-tasking, coordinating, attention to details, and great ability to communicate to the team!
Kerri says, " I'm anxious for this experience because I know it will be both rewarding and will make me appreciate what I have."
Lila
Johnson is a senior in Civil Engineering, specializing in environmental
engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering. Lila will bring engineering,
construction management, and plan preparation to the team!
Lila says, "I
am very anxious to travel further and be able to interact with other cultures."
Tyler
Zeh is a 4th year plumbing apprentice with August Winters and Sons of Appleton,
WI and also a member of Local 400, Plumbers and Steamfitters. Along with his
plumbing skills, Tyler will bring his welding background and job layout
abilities to the team!
Tyler says,"I am excited to hopefully be
able to help the people of Diepsloot"
Peter
Sedlar is a 4th year plumbing apprentice for K. Kelly Plumbing out of Green
Bay. Peter will bring both his residential and commercial plumbing skills and
efficiency in getting the job done right to the team!
Pete says,"we
will have to take our time with decisions and ideas we have in Diepsloot and
make sure to look at every situation we're involved with from every angle to
come up with the best solutions that are fair and benefit everyone as well as
possible."
Lurking behind Team USA and offering support, are our coaches:
Randy Lorge says, " I am happily married to a wonderful woman and we have one incredible son. I'm also a 3rd generation plumber and Master plumber for the state of Wisconsin who has taught plumbing code to young apprentices for over a decade and a half. I live my life and model my teaching to ensure that future generations of plumbers will continue to protect the health and safety of the world through the installation and design of safe plumbing
systems.
For Randy, "Knowing that our work will have a positive
impact on the Diepsloot community, and that we made, as small it may seem, a
difference in someone’s life, that’s all I need to get ready."
Doug Nelson, seen here holding one of the new twin grandchildren, says, "the best thing about the trips I have taken has been learning those other cultures. I have yet to be on one of these trips where
I don’t feel guilty afterwards. In most
cases I have traveled to help others and find that they have helped me far
more than I have helped them."
Doug teaches Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Martha Nelson currently lives in Pocahontas, Arkansas, and is the
Vice President for Student Affairs at Black River Technical College. Her picture shows her with ANOTHER twin grandchild! For Martha, working on cross-cultural issues is intensely important. She says, "it is so crucial to slow down and acclimate to the rhythms of life. For Americans, slowing down is incredibly difficult, but not
being willing to slow down is perceived as immensely arrogant and aggressive by
most other cultures. I have learned to
listen and walk with an awareness that we miss in our daily life here."
