“The time and effort put in by Clayton on a project building over 100 trucks increased our production time. He observed the struggles the other crews had when it came to putting kits together for the welding department, and came up with a checklist with pictures, complete with sign off, to assist with this shortfall. Without this extra effort, it would have been challenging to meet our deadlines directly following the Fort McMurray fire. Whenever there is a major technical issue, Clayton is actively involved,” said Ryan Medendorp, Superintendent of Trucks and Facilities.
 
The 22-year veteran equipment technician spends most of his time servicing heavy equipment between Fort McMurray, AB and northern Saskatchewan. Kennon grew up on a family farm in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, and credits the work ethic he learned from his parents to receiving this award.
 
“Growing up on the farm, you never quit until the job was done,” he says. “So, seeing my parents work that way, it just came naturally.”
 
After graduating high school in 1997, Kennon worked as an apprentice until 2000. He received his Journeyman Agriculture ticket in 2001 and went on to challenge the heavy-duty ticket in the fall of 2007 before joining SMS Equipment in December 2007. As an SMS Equipment Advanced Certified Technician, Kennon is continuously learning about the latest equipment and technologies. The courses he takes allow him to have a better understanding of the equipment he services – a vital investment in the rapidly-changing world of heavy equipment.