Interview with Travis Graham-Wilkes, first to achieve ASM Core Principles certificate

'I believe strongly in continuing education - this industry is ever changing and to be the best you must be constantly changing with it.' 

SIMA recently caught up with Travis Graham-Wilkes of Graham Landscape Limited in Innisfil, ON to ask about his experiences with the Advanced Snow Management program. Travis was the first person to officially earn the Core Principles certificate in Advanced Snow Management, and he is on his way to becoming a full Advanced Snow Manager.

How long have you been in snow management?
I have been in the landscape/snow industry since I was 13 years old. I got my first job working weekends, after school and holidays. I bought my first plow truck in the fall of the year I received my G2 license and have been moving snow ever since (approximately 10 years).

What is your favorite thing about the snow industry?
It's almost like an adrenaline rush: tracking an upcoming storm, watching it move closer and closer, calling in all appropriate operators and staff to work, and the feeling of accomplishment when it's all over.

What was interesting to you about the Advanced Snow Management program?
I believe strongly in continuing education - this industry is ever changing and to be the best you must be constantly changing with it. There are no better skills than the ones we learn in the field in a hands-on setting, but to reassure those skills and improve them through training is all the difference between being a " plow guy " and being a snow and ice management professional.

Have you found the training certificate courses valuable so far?
I have found the courses extremely valuable. There is so much we tend to do in the industry on the fly because we know it works, but not necessarily why it works. This course defines all those reasons and keeps trainees working at their fullest potential.

Why do you plan on achieving full Advanced Snow Manager status with SIMA?
Every day there is a new snow and ice company popping up. This market is so over-saturated that in order to stand out and make customers feel comfortable with you as their service provider, it is important to participate in any additional training available...putting ASM and or CSP next to your name is extremely important!

The ASM program is available 24/7 at www.sima.org/resources.