Chuck Kevwitch

Business Development Manager

Chuck brings over 17 years of experience in contracting and sales management to Safety One Training, Inc. Chuck worked extensively with fleet management and safety divisions within many large companies and government agencies and gained valuable knowledge of their protocols for fleet safety and training. His expertise has given Safety One a unique advantage in the government and contract training sector.

With years of experience in the motorsport industry and his extensive mechanical and technical experience on off-road vehicle capabilities Chuck is often in the field leading one of Safety One’s ATV, UTV, Snowcat or trailer courses. In addition, Chuck has spent the last 3 years working in a number of areas related to work at height and fall protection. He has had the opportunity to work with many different clients across the United Sates to develop safety programs for some of the most unique at-height scenarios.

Chuck is a SPRAT Level 1 Rope Access Technician, he is a qualified climber and rescuer for communications and high voltage towers and often is an instructor in Safety One’s Confined Space Safety and Rescue, Snowcat Operations training and ATV/UTV Operator Safety courses.

Gary was born in El Paso, Texas and lived there until 8th grade before his family moved to Roswell, New Mexico. He played football did some wrestling and even some shotput in track. Gary graduated in 1999 and then moved to Reno, Nevada to start doing construction. Gary again relocated to Colorado in 2001. He was an electrician in Colorado before he began doing lawn services. He then began working for an indoor-outdoor gardening supply company which is where he gained experience in the warehouse.

Gary likes fishing, hunting, camping and pretty much anything outdoors. He also enjoys watching football, baseball, hockey, and attending concerts!

John is a full-time lead instructor for Safety One.

Before joining the team, John worked in the wind industry. His work included operations and maintenance, high voltage switching, rigging, equipment inspection and fiber work. He was also involved in rescue training for technicians working on wind turbines.  John holds a SPRAT certification as well as a CDL license.

John trains in a wide range of safety/rescue topics, showing workers the proper way to climb and use their equipment to limit the chances of a rescue scenario occurring. In the event of an incident, his goal is to teach practical and efficient techniques that ensure students are prepared to handle anything that they may experience in the field.

Aaron Wermers is a full-time lead instructor at Safety One. He prides himself in providing safe and educational classes. From working on the side of a mountain in snowcat class, on a tower, in confined space or in the classroom. He is constantly thriving and pushing himself to learn more and provide up to date information and hands on experiences. His background in mechanics lends well into snowcat and other vehicle-based classes. He has also worked at heights with various means such as scaffold, scissor lifts and cranes.

When Aaron is not teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife outdoors enjoying the mountains. It is not odd to find them spinning cranks on their tandem bicycle as they explore all the wonderful trails Colorado has to offer. Whether camping, biking, 4-wheeling or other activities. Aaron also has spent time performing rescues both off road and during blizzards to recover both vehicles and people.

Stephen Perez is an accomplished Army veteran with over ten years of experience, specializing in infantry operations and intelligence command. Throughout his military career, he has developed leadership skills and adaptability in austere environments. Stephen’s commitment to personal growth and professional development is evident in his achievement of ranger certification.

With a major in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy, Stephen possesses an understanding of human behavior and critical thinking. This knowledge, combined with his passion for teaching, makes him an exceptional educator and mentor. Stephen is dedicated to setting high standards and surpassing goals, constantly seeking opportunities to enhance his tactical skills and broaden his expertise.

In addition to his military accomplishments, Stephen recently obtained certification as a nationally registered EMT, further expanding his skill set and ability to provide life-saving assistance. His expertise extends to specialized areas such as rappelling, rock climbing, and survival techniques, making him a valuable asset in challenging environments.

Steve Andreas

Steve Andreas’ background originates in the entertainment (concert) industry as a rigger and audio engineer. He provided rigging support for a wide variety of musicians, celebrities, and political candidates over more than 10 years and has been personally responsible for the safety of numerous stadium builds as well as an extensive background in the rigging of portable structures.  Recently, he was the Head Rigger for the Presidential Debates in Boulder, Colorado.

With a SPRAT III certification, he functions as a full time instructor in every category Safety One has to offer, as well as providing an active role in curriculum development.

In addition to a climbing and rigging background, he also has extensive experience in automotive mechanics, metal fabrication, and unique vehicle operation, which leads directly into his role as a snowcat instructor for Safety One.  Steve has spent years working with the off-road community performing mechanical services and fabrication services both professionally and as a hobby.  As a Class A CDL driver with a background in machinery operation, he has a wide range of experiences to pull from for his classes.

Certifications:

SPRAT Level 3

Joe Anderson II

Lead Instructor

Since Joe Anderson joined Safety One Training, he has specialized in creating, designing, implementing and instructing custom courses for the Tower Industry. Some of these courses include: Tower Safety Training and Rescue for Bill Boards, Competent Equipment Inspector, and the Advanced ATTC.

Joe has also implemented and designed the Rescue Rigging Lifeline Kits and Transfer Line 4:1’s, specifically designed for Tower Rescue Procedures. Besides his lead instructor role at Safety One, Joe is also a Career Firefighter and has taken a proactive and progressive approach in the Fire Service.

Monte Brewer

Instructor

Monte Brewer is a training instructor at Safety One Training. Monte has been teaching Snowcat Operation Certification since January 2010. He is an experienced snowmobile rider, and has been pushing sleds to their limits since 1994. As an employee of a government agency that maintains hydro power plants and dams in the high Sierra he spends most of the winter operating snow cats to access facilities. Due to the nature of Monte’s job that requires inspections of usually inaccessible features, he is also an experienced rope access technician, requiring him to perform inspections and work while free hanging only supported by a rope system.

Monte also comes from a competitive racing background. He grew up racing downhill mountain bikes professionally. Monte resides with his family in the Reno, NV area where he enjoys spending time outdoors, going camping, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, downhill mountain biking, and riding ATV’s.

Certifications

Degree in Mechanical Engineering
OSHA 511 General Industry Safety
SPRAT Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians, Level 2 Certified Rope Access Technician
NFPA 70E/Arc Flash Electrical Safety/Electrical Safety for Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
Permit-Required Confined Space

Derek Sardinta

Instructor

Derek Sardinta is a Fall Protection Instructor with Safety One Training International.  Derek has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Management and a master’s degree in Leadership with an emphasis in Disaster Preparedness.  He served two tours of duty in war zones while on active duty and continues to serve as a firefighter with the United States Air Force Reserves. Currently he is a firefighter at the United States Air Force Academy. He is a certified Rescue Technician I/II specializing in high/low angle rescue, including confined space.

Derek also volunteers as an instructor for the Colorado Mountain Club teaching rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, and outdoor survival skills. He is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician/First Aid/CPR instructor. As a Colorado native, Derek enjoys everything Colorado has to offer.  In his free time you will find Derek mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, camping, or in the back country conquering a mountain peak.  Derek is passionate about instructing and passing his knowledge onto others in order to keep them safe.

Robin Commons

Instructor

Robin Commons joined Safety One in the fall of 2008 as an assistant instructor in the Snow Operations Training Center. Since 2003 he’s been a senior instructor with the Colorado Mountain Club teaching navigation, backcountry travel, winter conditions skills and emergency shelter construction to beginning mountaineers. Before becoming an instructor, Robin had completed several courses, including the CMC survival school and Mountain Oriented First Aid. In 2004 he was trained as a Wilderness First Responder.

Mark Dornstauder

Instructor

Mark Dornstauder is a training instructor for Snowcat Operation Trainings. Mark has been an experienced snowcat operator since 1997, and has been teaching since January 2005. Additionally he is an Equipment Specialist at a utility company, and an active member of the local search and rescue team.

Mark has extensive experience in operating LMC, VMC and Tucker snowcats. He also transports telecommunication employees to mountain sites in the Reno and surrounding areas. Mark resides with his family in Reno, NV where he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family going camping, rock climbing and riding ATV’s.

Since the early 90’s Dave has been teaching various climbing techniques, as well as avalanche survival courses. Dave holds an International Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA)  Level 3 Rope access Certification. In 2020 Dave became an Authorized Trainer with Safety One. Dave has also been an Instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) since 2007 and holds both Instructor and Course Leader certifications.

Dave began climbing instruction in the early 90’s in and around the Sandstone cliffs and Towers of SE Utah. It all started with Rock Climbing and Mountaineering but soon expanded beyond recreational climbing through Rescue Training as a ski patroller,  local Search and Rescue  participation and entry into the Industrial Climbing space in the early 2000’s.  Since 2009 Dave has been working as a Rope Access Technician, an Industrial Rigger/Climber and has been teaching Rope Access Courses. Dave Joined the Safety One team in 2020 as a Tower Climbing and Rescue Instructor. Dave continues to also work as a Climbing Guide, Rope Access Technician, Avalanche Educator  and Geographic Information Systems Consultant as well.

Mike has been an instructor with Safety One since 2022.

With a background in Electrical/RF engineering, he works building and maintaining two-way & microwave radio systems across the Rockies and accessing those difficult sites by snowmobile, motorcycle, ATV, and snowcat.

In 2012 after a friend’s passing in an avalanche, Mike started down a path in avalanche education.  He was on the leading edge of motorized training in the US, developing curriculum for snowmobile-based risk management, terrain evaluation, and trip planning in avalanche areas.  Mike was one of the first snowmobilers in the country to earn Pro2 and Course Lead certificates, demonstrating a passion for safety and continuing education.

Mike is a skilled backcountry rider and has raced snocross and cross-country across the Rockies.  When he’s not working, you’ll find him on a dirt bike, snowmobile in the mountains or involved in the amateur radio community.

Certificates:

– Electrical Engineer

– AIARE Course Lead

– American Avalanche Association Professional Member

Edward Tillgren comes to Safety One Training with over 40 years of experience in the utilities industry.  His enthusiasm, drive and vast experience as a Lineman, Crew Chief/Field Supervisor, and Senior Safety Trainer make him an asset to the organization as a top-rated Wood Pole and Bucket Truck Instructor.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Edward is a musician.  Notably an acoustic guitarist.  In his spare time Ed enjoys traveling and exploring the great outdoors.