Brandon’s progression from Materials Assistant to certified Troubleshooter

From an assistant materials role to certified Troubleshooter in under five years, Brandon shares how during that time he has developed the skills, expertise and a strong appreciation for the teamwork required to succeed in the wind industry.

His journey highlights the opportunities for career progression on offer to technicians with the right skills and proactive attitude.

When did you join FairWind, and what was your first role?

I joined FairWind in May 2021 when I was 19. My first job was in Nebraska as an Assistant Materials Lead. I handled inventory basically making sure everything needed for tower construction and wiring campaigns was in place. It gave me a great understanding of the industry on the ground and a desire to build my career on sites.

How did your career progress from there?

After Nebraska, I moved to a wind farm in Texas, where I climbed my first tower and started working on maintenance with technicians from other companies. Over time, I earned my maintenance certifications on two platforms with major OEMs which really furthered my knowledge and skills.
I stayed at that wind farm for about two and a half years before completing GE training in New York. After that, I moved to another wind farm in Texas, where I’m currently based and now working as a Troubleshooter.

What was it like climbing a turbine for the first time?

My first climb was memorable. It was on one of the tallest onshore platforms in the US at the time, and we had to climb in the dark because the tower lights were out. We only had our headlamps. I couldn’t see the ground, which surprisingly helped and I found out that heights didn’t bother me. After that, climbing came pretty naturally.

What does a typical day look like for you?

As a Troubleshooter, there isn’t really a “typical” day. You deal with whatever faults or issues come up. Some patterns appear seasonally like more hydraulic issues in the cold but overall, it’s always changing.

What’s your favourite role or project you’ve worked on?

Becoming a Troubleshooter has been the most rewarding. It’s completely different from maintenance you get to problem‑solve, use your knowledge, and figure out what’s really going on rather than follow steps. Every day is different, and that keeps it interesting.

What do you enjoy most about working as a Troubleshooter?

The variety! As a Troubleshooter, you react to what’s happening on site, and no two days are exactly the same. Faults, codes, issues they all change daily. It keeps you thinking and keeps you learning.

What advice would you give someone thinking about becoming a wind turbine technician at FairWind?

It’s an exciting job, and you meet great people some of the guys I’ve worked with will even be at my wedding. But you need to always remember that safety is everything.
Paperwork matters, but it’s not a guarantee of safety. You need to be aware of your surroundings, spot issues in procedures, and take responsibility for keeping yourself safe.

Where do you see your career heading next?

Now that I’m a Troubleshooter, the next step would be a management or office‑based role. I’d like to support new technicians coming in by sharing what I’ve learned.

Have any colleagues or teams played a big part in your development?

Two technicians at the first wind farm I worked on in Texas, both named José, taught me so much about towers and were a huge part of my growth.
Management at FairWind has also been supportive from the start. The company has grown a lot since I joined, but that support has stayed consistent.

Quotes

• “Becoming a troubleshooter has been the most rewarding. You get to use your brain, figure out what’s wrong, and really apply your knowledge.”
• “My very first climb was in the dark with just our headlamps. I couldn’t see the ground, which actually helped, I just focused on the ladder.”
• “It’s a fun job and you meet amazing people. Some of the guys I’ve worked with will even be at my wedding.”
• “Paperwork is important, but it’s not a guarantee. You’ve got to be aware, spot issues, and take responsibility for keeping yourself safe.”
• “The next step for me would be a management role where I can use my experience to help new technicians coming into FairWind.”