
Raising the Bar as DSC Dredge’s Charlie Johnson Elevates Sand & Gravel Training by Assembling Industry Experts Transforming DSC’s One-Day Dreducation® Class to a 3-Day Aggregate Short Course
RESERVE, LOUISIANA – DSC Dredge (DSC), a leading provider of customizable dredges and innovative dredging solutions, successfully concluded its inaugural 3-Day Aggregate Training Short Course last week at the OMNI Royal in New Orleans French Quarter from February 27-29th, 2024. The event brought together industry experts and professionals from across the United States and Canada in pursuit of a more comprehensive understanding of dredging and aggregate operations.
Behind the scenes, this event was born from the visionary idea of DSC’s Director of Domestic Dredge Sales, Charlie Johnson, whose dedication to advancing industry education spanned two decades of spearheading DSC’s Dreducation® class. In addition to his role in developing and instructing DSC’s Dreducation® Training Program, Charlie has been involved in shaping industry standards and practices for many years. In 2015, and again in 2023, he was appointed President of the Western Dredging Association’s Gulf Coast Chapter (WEDA) and most recently, on March 12th, 2023, he was appointed Chair of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s M&S Division, further solidifying his position as a respected figure within the industry.
Recognizing the evolving needs of the sector, Charlie envisioned transforming his once-single-day class into a 3-day aggregate training short course, extending its reach beyond dredging operators and encompassing a broader spectrum of sand and gravel plant equipment operations. Charlie shared his vision and collaborated closely with Marketing Director Mercedes James, who set about organizing and building a comprehensive agenda and thereafter extended invitations to the industry experts Charlie believed would create a diverse learning experience for all attendees.
Speakers at the 3-Day Aggregate Short Course included industry experts such as Richard Snoby of Stichweh USA and Snoby Separations; Scott Gulan of Superior Industries; Ryan Senter of Deister Machine Co., Mark Krause of McLanahan; Jeff Boone of Metso Materials; Dave McCracken of Astec Industries; Jenifer Padgett of MSHA Safety Services; Douglas Rudenko and Jonathan Ferdinand of GeoSonics/ Vibra-Tech; and William Wetta, P.E., Scott Laiche, P.E., and Charlie Johnson of DSC Dredge. Together, the team of presenters covered a wide range of topics including MSHA trends and compliance, safety protocols, dredge design and maintenance, dredge pump operation, data telemetry for dredging, underwater sonar systems, slurry transport methods, bucketwheel dewaterers, conveyor systems, vibratory screens, jigs for removing deleterious materials, rock crushers, sand classifiers, aggregate washing techniques, sand screws, soil exploration methods, noise measurement, abatement strategies, and much more. It is without a doubt that their contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry.
The overwhelming response to the event emphasized the industry’s need for this type of training, with the event being sold out in under three months of marketing, it solidified the necessity and timeliness of Charlie’s vision. „This course has been a remarkable opportunity for industry professionals to come together and exchange knowledge,” remarked Charlie. „The enthusiasm shown by attendees to enhance their skills and stay ahead of the curve was very encouraging. It is without a doubt that there is a strong desire within our industry to improve one’s skills and remain at the forefront of the industry.”
At the completion of the event, Mercedes was able to catch up with a couple of attendees to gather some feedback. One attendee noted, „Attending this course has been eye-opening. The depth of knowledge shared have helped my understanding of the industry. Coming out of it I feel more equipped to tackle challenges and drive success both on a project and within my organization. I can’t wait to see what the 2025 class brings.” For more insights on what attendees thought of the event and more be sure to follow DSC on its social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Tik Tok.
The 3-Day Aggregate Training Short Course was carefully created based on the needs of the Sand and Gravel industry, offering a comprehensive overview of dredging and aggregate-related topics, from design to safety protocols. It served not only as a platform for learning but also a great opportunity for networking and professional development.
Special thanks are paid to not only the Speakers but the event Sponsors, GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech and Stichweh, whose partnership made this event possible. Their dedication to advancing industry education aligned perfectly with the vision, and DSC appreciated them as a supporter of this journey. Additionally, DSC takes the opportunity to thank Jennifer Dugas of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) for their collaboration and support.
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DSC is a global leader in the dredge manufacturing industry, engineering superior customized dredging solutions to meet specific application needs, while continuing to exceed customer expectations. DSC designs and manufactures high quality, durable cutter suction and underwater pump mining dredges. At DSC Dredge, we help customers make THE RIGHT CHOICE. Quality, Innovation, Service, Commitment and Customization are key DSC attributes which explain the reasons customers choose to work with DSC. DSC Dredge operates from two manufacturing facilities located in Reserve, LA, and Poplarville, MS. For more information about the company and its products, services and customized solutions, please visit www.dscdredge.com and follow us on Social Media.
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