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A graduate builds a successful career at Spartan Controls

Shannon Ronne
Shannon Ronne

A graduate from BCIT’s Instrumentation and Automation program in 2000, Shannon Ronne is the Manager of the Application Engineering Team at Spartan Controls in Burnaby, BC.

During a work term for an introductory trades program, Shannon found herself working alongside several veteran Automation & Instrumentation graduates. The daily routine of troubleshooting, device configuration, and the mix of shop and field time was both challenging and interesting; in addition, the diversity of jobs available to an A&I graduate was appealing.

Before graduation, Shannon received an offer from Spartan Controls, then operating as NORPAC Controls. After evaluating several career options, Shannon decided this offered the best fit for her desire for a collaborative, high energy environment with lots of opportunity. Spartan specializes in selling, applying and servicing measurement, control and automation products for process-based industries. In addition, the customer-centric culture of creating and sustaining value was a natural fit for Shannon.

Shannon started as Parts & Repair Specialist in 2000. Her understanding of control valves and process control from courses in the Automation & Instrumentation program at BCIT provided the basis from which to develop into the “go to” valve expert for customers both local and remote, supplying specialized equipment and process control solutions for challenging applications in the pulp & paper, mining and engineering sectors. In 2003 she joined the Application Engineering team, and in 2009 advanced to Senior Application Specialist.

Today, as Spartan’s Application Engineering Manager, Shannon manages a team of fourteen vibrant individuals including technology, engineering and business graduates, many of them industry veterans, all with a passion for customer service & problem solving. You will find her analyzing inventory and sales numbers, preparing quotations, helping her team work through tough process control applications, proofing proposals, assisting with account strategies, or speaking with customers or suppliers on the phone. Every day is different with a new riddle to solve be it logistical, technical, or commercial in nature.

“My time at BCIT prepared me for the intense field I was about to enter; a strong technical and practical foundation, the ability to time-manage and prioritize tasks, and most importantly the ability to apply critical thinking skills to effectively solve problems.”

Check out the program details and apply now.

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