Meet the newest Plant Assessor staff members!

We've had a new additions to our team here at Plant Assessor in the past month. Get to know them here!

Jeff Norris – Account Executive

Background: I was born in Sydney and then grew up on the Hawkesbury River so I spent a lot of my childhood swimming in muddy water and riding my BMX (also in the mud). We moved to the Central Coast before I met my wife, a Novocastrian and the discussion about where we were going to live could only go one way. I’ve lived in Newcastle for 14 years, one day I hope to be granted ‘local’ status!

Education: I achieved an Advanced Diploma in Electrical Technology (Computer Technology) from Hunter Institute of Technology.

Career:  I started out as a two-way radio technician. When the manager resigned, there was no one to do the selling so I started doing it. From there we were selling GPS vehicle tracking and finally I moved into selling software.

Last job: I was working for Factory, a job management software for manufacturing businesses.

Outside work: I’m married with a 10 year old daughter and I had a cat that made it to 18. I own a racing simulator so if I don’t do well in the race days I saw mentioned in the job ad, I should probably hang my head in shame. Most of my time out of work is spent going to kids' sport and my Dad ensured a lifetime of pain by making me a Wests Tigers (Balmain before that) fan but the Knights are my second team and they provide similar amounts of frustration for me. I consider the ‘97 grand final to be the greatest game of rugby league of all time mostly because I’m still in therapy for the ‘89 grand final.

Gavin Hay - National Account Development Specialist

Background: I was born in Taree and grew up with my parents owning motels and pubs, which was pretty fun as a kid! I had a brief stint in Tamworth and Newcastle, however the pull of the Manning River was too strong. I was definitely the kid at school who was always distracting someone or not concentrating/throwing/kicking a ball of some sort, and got grief from mates recently after finding my “State Runner” NSW jacket cleaning out the family home. I like to tell my wife that I was the 10th fastest runner in the state as a 16 year old, but this is definitely a bit of a stretch.

Education: I attended and graduated Taree High School in 2007, followed by Charles Sturt University Bathurst studying a Bachelor of Justice (Policing), however ended up dropping out with too many work and sport commitments (aka too much socialising).

Career: I moved to WA with a couple of mates, completed a traineeship with BWS and progressed through to Store Manager, which led into a career with Coca-Cola Amatil. I spent eight years with CCA starting as a Customer Service Rep - Corporate, through to a Business Development Executive, Business Development Manager and finished specialising in New Business. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at CCA with the majority spent in WA, and I especially enjoyed my year and a bit in Karratha looking after a vast territory, and then finishing my time with CCA in NSW to be closer to family and friends. 

Last job: Agriculture sales at Kentan Machinery was my previous role before starting at Plant Assessor; great team and sensational product with Kubota. I absolutely loved my time there and had some terrific customers. 

Outside work: I will be married five years next month with two young kids, Cal three and a half, and Wynnie one and a half. I also have an 11 year old American Staffy cross Boxer who is 50kg and resembles a wombat. My passion is rugby union and anything sport to be fair, in particular Cooks Hill Brown Snakes and unfortunately the West Tigers. This is the first year that my boots have stayed in the cupboard, due to way too many injuries, but I’m taking bets on whether they will come back out next year. I also enjoy snowboarding and like to get down to the slopes at least once a year. On weekends, you’ll find me walking with the kids to find coffee, special mention to my two locals, Side Pocket Espresso and my amazing friend Jules at Perry the Feeder Truck, where you can get the best toasties in the Hunter! Other than that, I enjoy catching up with friends and family over a beer or two.