CRANE U - Key Persons
At the age of 18, Billy Yazel joined the United States Marine Corp and served for a total of eight years. He was stationed in North Carolina, Japan, Iraq, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines during his me. We are very thankful for his service and dedication on to our country.
After returning home, Billy started his career in the crane industry in 2007 as an oiler and rigger. He then became a crane operator running up to 110 Ton Mobile Cranes around the Southeast. Prior to joining the Crane U Family, he was in State/ Federal Law Enforcement for 11 years. On the weekends, "Sarge" is also a professional drummer for a country artist, performing around the Southeast. He brings the fun and musical talent to our team.
Billy performs inspections on Mobile Cranes, Tower Cranes, Forklifts, MEWP's, and more for Crane U. He is also one of our qualification course trainers. Billy is a qualified Rigger and Certified NCCCO™ Mobile Crane Operator.
Carl Jones operated up to 500 Ton cranes around the Southeast for 15 years before becoming a member of the Crane U Family. His years of real-world experiences as an operator enhances his teaching skills in the classroom. He is able to keep students' attention through his captivating stories and quick-witted
Job Titles:
- Mobile Branch Inspector & Trainer
Drew Woodrow has over 18 years in the construction industry including commercial, industrial, and marine construction. This experience includes working as superintendent and project manager across multiple trades.
Eric has worked with cranes for more than 20 years in positions ranging from oiler to operator, to branch manager. He started his career in 1996 as a rigger with Reliable Rentals and most recently has served as a Project Manager for CraneWorks in Birmingham, Al.
During his tenure at CraneWorks, Eric planned critical lifts for Southern Company, Duke Energy, Brasfield and Gorrie, Gray Construction, the Army Corp of Engineers, and NASA. He was also the first runner-up in the 2015 Crane Operator and Rigger National Championship.
His current professional certifications include NCCCO Operator, NCCCO Rigger, and NCCO Practical Examiner. He is also OSHA 10 trained and a Certified Rigger/Signalperson. Eric brings his extensive industry experience as well as his love of the business to the CraneU team, where he will be responsible for heavy equipment training and inspections, as well as lift plans.
Job Titles:
- NCCCO Program Coordinator, Accounts Receivable
Frances Gaut started at Crane U in 2021 after graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in Finance and Real Estate. Although she is new to the industry, she grew up around cranes and heavy equipment, considering that is a major part of the Gaut family name.
Her communication skills, friendliness, and drive to help others exemplifies the company's mission of utmost customer satisfaction. Even with hundreds of operators attending NCCCO™ training each year, Frances stays organized and in touch with individuals to continue growth in business relationships.
At Crane U, Frances schedules, registers, and organizes all travel and onsite NCCCO™ Certification courses. From the first phone call to day one of the course, Frances is with you every step of the way, ensuring you are registering for the correct courses and that you are most prepared for success.
Job Titles:
- Nashville Branch Inspector & Trainer
John Gaut has been in the crane business for over 30 years. He has been operating cranes for nearly 25 years while also doing years of managerial work. He understands both sides of the job which is important for what we do. John joined Crane U in 2018 as an Inspector, Trainer, and one of our best Salesmen.
He is the head runner for our Nashville Branch. He has inspected cranes, forklifts, MEWP's, and qualified many operators to operate such equipment. Prior to joining Crane U, John was a branch manager at a well-known crane rental company for many years.
He is NCCCO certified and holds multiple qualifications including but not limited to inspector, evaluator, NDT Administrator, Practical Examiner.
Madison has been with Crane U since 2017. Although she wears many hats within the company, she serves primarily as the Crane U Dispatcher. Madison is also the head of our marketing department.
When she graduated from the University of Montevallo, she never thought she would find herself in the Crane Industry. Her knowledge of cranes has come a long way since her first day!
Her skill in public relations and marketing is what initially led her to her place here. You will see her sitting behind the Crane U booth at every expo around town. She is also excellent in customer service - if you have a problem, yo she'll solve it (or try her best to).
Nikol brings a vast range of experience to Crane U, from construction, to sales, to customer service. At Crane U, Nikol will leverage this valuable experience to facilitate growth, manage personnel, and enhance the company's customer service capabilities.
Her exceptional organizational skills and familiarity with the crane and rigging industry enable her to provide excellent customer support to our customers nationwide. Nikol graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in Communications and Criminal Justice.
During her 20-year career, she has held training, sales, customer service, and management positions with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama and CraneWorks. She is a Certified Rigger/Signalperson and also an authorized approved Trainer for AWP and Forklift Training.
Prior to working in the crane industry, Ronnie served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corp for five years. He was stationed in South Carolina, Iraq, and Japan before returning home. We are very thankful for his service and blessed to have him as a part of the Crane U Family.
Ronnie Owensby operated up to 500 Ton cranes around the Southeast for about 14 years before joining Crane U. His years of operator experience is evident in his hands-on training. He works one on one with our students to ensure their confidence before heading into their practical examinations.
At Crane U, Ronnie performs inspections on cranes and other heavy equipment. He also trains operators in our qualification courses in addition to our NCCCO™ Certification on training courses. Ronnie is NCCCO™ Certified and is a Certified NCCCO™ Practical Examiner for Mobile Cranes.
Job Titles:
- Nashville Branch Inspector & Trainer
Scott Shumake was born and raised in White House, Tennessee. He takes pride in his work ethic, which was passed down from both his grandfather and father. Scott grew up working on his grandfather's farm and later in life worked alongside his father for 22 years. His father introduced him to crane work and gave him his first opportunity as a crane operator and iron worker.
Shumake has an extensive amount of knowledge in the crane industry. He has been a crane operator for over 27 years. Scott operated a 120-ton mobile crane for four years around the Southeast, and holds multiple certifications including: Certified Crane Operator, OSHA 30, and MSHA Part 46. His knowledge, experience, and passion led him to be a Steel Erector superintendent for 15 years. This leadership role has shaped him into becoming a credible trainer and someone you can trust. His experience and ambition in the field led Scott to our Crane U, Inc. Nashville branch in 2023.
At Crane U, Scott performs inspections on cranes and other heavy equipment. He also trains operators and riggers in our qualification courses around the Southeast area.
Scotty Gaut has been a cornerstone of the crane industry for over 27 years. Gaut has extensive crane operation, inspection, and management experience, having worked for CraneWorks and Steel City Crane - crane rental companies serving energy, construction, and industrial markets - before opening Crane U in 2010.
He has operated over 50 types of cranes from two to 800 tons, assisted crews with the movement of the largest cranes in the fleet, and organized the erection and dismantling of lattice boom cranes.
Job Titles:
- in 2019 As an Inspector and Trainer
- Inspector & Trainer
Trey Taylor has been working with cranes for almost 30 years. Not only does he have 15 years of operator experience under his belt but also many years of managerial work.
He understands both sides of the job which is important for what we do. Trey joined Crane U in 2019 as an Inspector and Trainer. Trey plays a huge role in making sure all of our customers are well taken care of.
He has inspected cranes, forklifts, MEWP's, and qualified many operators to operate such equipment. Prior to joining Crane U, Trey was a branch manager for a well-known crane rental company and a crane operator at Taylor Crane Rental & Rigging.
He is NCCCO certified and holds multiple qualifications including but not limited to inspector, evaluator, NDT Administrator, Practical Examiner.