WATERSMART - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Territory Manager
- Territory Manager - South Auckland & BOP
Alana proudly steered the ship as the National Business Development Manager at Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc. Her gig involved juggling memberships and nurturing strong relationships with awesome business partners, contributing to the growth and success of the organization. We're happy to have her dive into her new chapter here at Watersmart where she brings great enthusiasm and collaborative spirit.
Outside of the hustle and bustle, Alana's all about family. Since making New Zealand their home in 2018, her family has seamlessly become a part of the vibrant Auckland community, building connections with friends and extended family. She loves the outdoors and sports.
Andrew Olsen - Founder, Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Executive Director
- Managing Director
Andrew is the ‘ideas guy' in our team. He constantly challenges the status quo and asks, ‘Can we do this a better way?'. Andrew founded Watersmart (Stormwater Systems at the time) in 2017 after an extensive career as a building industry entrepreneur in residential development, sales, and marketing with some of New Zealand's biggest brands. He saw the opportunity to create a business that provided innovative, comprehensive solutions to the stormwater challenges faced in property development and construction. At the same time, he wanted to be able to make a difference to the way we sustainably utilise the precious resource that is water.
Andrew's creativity has led the development of new solutions and has opened up new markets, with his capable team picking up his flair to push boundaries and bring these new ideas to life.
Together both Andrew and his son, Elliot, have created a culture that is supportive of continual growth and learning. This has fostered an agile approach to problem-solving, where we continually seek out new technology, and challenge convention, to find new or better ways to solve water challenges. It is said that a good leader recognises his strengths and weaknesses and employs resources to cover his weaknesses - Andrew now prides himself on doing very little!
Job Titles:
- Information Systems Manager
Angela's a family woman with two children alongside an impressive work experience within the business industry, having worked as a credit reporter, project manager and business consultant - just to name a few!
When Angela's not in the office, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up an absolute storm for her loved ones. Angela not only cares about her loved ones but also for the environment, making her the perfect candidate here at Watersmart!
Angela's water-related tip is to use a Alexa to set a timer to tell you when to turn off the bath!
Angela brings so much enthusiasm, energy, laughter and lots of baking into the office here at Watersmart! Angela is our cherished accounts admin having to deal with all the taxes, receipts and numbers we all throw her way on a day-to-day basis - but she never fails to complete her running to-do lists
After spending her early twenties in the UK, Angela and her husband returned to New Zealand in 2005 to start a family - she is a big family woman with so much love to spread in and out of the office. Angela's favourite place to be is on her beautiful patio soaking up the sunshine with a book in hand. You can also find her out running the streets of Auckland having completed one half and one full marathon, a bucket list moment for sure! There's so much more in life Angela enjoys and we couldn't be happier to have had her as part of the team for the past couple of years!
Angela says, "the best thing about my job is definitely my great team. We all support and help each other, and however busy we are there is always time for a laugh."
Job Titles:
- Water Consultant - Central Auckland
Chris is our our Water Consultant for Central Auckland.
His professional and approachable demeanor has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth and success in his role. As a Water Consultant, he brings a wealth of experience from both sales and plumbing backgrounds.
One of Chris's favourite aspects of working with WaterSmart is the incredible people he encounters, both within the team and out on the job. His interpersonal skills and genuine connection with others contribute to the positive and collaborative atmosphere at Watersmart - he's always up for a laugh and a ‘good old chin wag'.
Beyond Watersmart, Chris leads an active lifestyle. Whether he's hitting the slopes for a ski adventure, navigating mountain trails on his bike, or simply enjoying downtime with his family, Chris has a great balance of work and play.
Job Titles:
- Certified Plumber & Installation Manager
Job Titles:
- Pump Technician & Warehouse Coordinator
Dexter is our absolute wizard in our warehouse with the never-ending tasks as the Warehouse Coordinator - he knows what to do and does it well!
Dexter has worked as a plumber, plumbing technician, and drain-laying apprentice which has allowed him to fit in perfectly within his role here at Watersmart. His strong communication, knowledge, and hands-on skills ensure that orders are delivered smoothly.
Dexter is an outdoor junkie! During his spare time, you can find him going out for roadies in his four-wheel drive enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Aotearoa and recharging for another big day in the warehouse.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Technical Manager
- North Lower Regional & Design Manager
Watersmart was Elliot's first cab off the rank as a business start-up after studying Innovation at Auckland University. He started as the co-founder, then he became the glue that held it all together and his role grew to running the day-to-day operations - from traffic controller for customer queries, to design, production, and marketing.
As the business has grown, he has become the ‘go to' technical design lead, overseeing our design team. Elliot is a problem-solver whose solution-focused approach has seen him become a first port of call for many of our engineering and architectural clients to solve their stormwater challenges.
Elliot loves to travel, meet new people in crazy new places, and finding new foods and experiences. He says, "You only get one life, you may as well spend it in the most exciting way you can!".
Job Titles:
- Administrator & Customer Service
Fee recently joined the team at WaterSmart and has fit right into our family! We love the energy, work ethic and team spirit she brings into the office which transcends into the exceptional customer service she provides to our new and returning customers.
Born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand at the age of 18 perfectly describes the independent and boss woman she is today! Fee has worked in the travel industry for the past 10 years and is also a qualified project manager which has allowed her to thrive as the Administrator and Customer Service role.
Like all of us ladies here, Fee loves to go shopping and treating herself (as she deserves)! You can also catch her out on the golf course with loved ones enjoying the game and soaking up the sunshine. A wise tip from Fee is to reuse your water to water your plants!.
Job Titles:
- Warehouse Assistant
- Operations & Warehouse Assistant
- Operations Support
From starting as a Warehouse Assistant, Jack is now doubling as an Operations Assistant. We've loved watching him grow in his roles here! Jack is excellent at his role with past work experience in warehouses, working on production lines as well as stock intake all at his young age.
Born in the UK, but raised in New Zealand most of his life, Jack's adaptable nature makes him the perfect helping hand in our fast paced Operations and Warehouse teams!
The diversity of Jack's role continues to see him excel as no two days are the same. Jack says "I like the diversity of the job."
Jack enjoys many other hands-on activities during his spare time such as baking, cooking and playing video games!
Job Titles:
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Civil Engineering Technician - BEngTech ( Civil )
Johnny started in an internship role; his work ethic was admirable, and we couldn't let him go! He now plays an integral part in our talented design team at Watesmart.
Born in Vietnam, Johnny moved to Auckland, New Zealand at the age of 18 and began to study for his degree in Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Unitec Institute of Technology. During his three years of study, Johnny picked up many valuable skills along the way through various part-time jobs which he constantly brings to the table within the office. Johnny enjoys the small pleasure in life, from playing guitar, reading, grabbing a coffee and hanging out with friends and family.
Johnny excels in developing design solutions for clients of all budgets, shapes and sizes. When Johnny works his magic, he can design a plan for a property within a couple of hours with his strong problem-solving knowledge in construction and engineering! Get in touch via our website for your personalised property plan today!
The design team here at Watersmart would feel very different without our talented Julia! Having worked as an interior designer in Kazakhstan for five years, she is constantly sharing her knowledge and expertise with the team to better our products and solutions for stormwater retention and detention.
Julia says that she "learns something new every day with a healthy working atmosphere", and as the company grows we are most definitely taking Julia along with us!
Most of the team love the great outdoors including Julia, in her spare time you can find her out tracking and skiing across beautiful Aotearoa!
Kenneth is an experienced maintenance plumber and a vital contributor to the success of Watersmart.
Kenneth's journey in the plumbing field began in South Africa, where he honed his skills over ten years. Following this, he transitioned into the role of Facilities Manager, bringing nine additional years of valuable experience to his repertoire. In 2022, Kenneth embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Aotearoa to contribute his wealth of knowledge and skills to the thriving team at Watersmart.
Within Watersmart, Kenneth plays a crucial role in the final delivery to our clients. His extensive experience and problem-solving skills ensure that each project is executed with precision and excellence. What Kenneth enjoys most about his role is the dynamic nature of the work - the constant variety of challenges and tasks that keep him engaged and motivated.
Beyond the pipes and fittings, Kenneth is a man of varied interests. He embraces the beauty of New Zealand's landscapes in his spare time, engaging in activities such as hiking, surfing, trail running, and even indulging in the craftsmanship of woodworking.
Kevin is a dedicated family man, with his adult children embarking on adventures abroad. When he's not diving into work, you'll often find him indulging in his passions for road cycling, vinyl DJing, and soaking up the sun at the beach.
Kevin's career path is as diverse as it is impressive. With two decades in the plumbing industry and a remarkable 35 years of sales and customer service experience under his belt, Kevin is a true authority in water control, metering, and monitoring across various environments. We're eager to see Kevin's wealth of knowledge and expertise in action here at Watersmart, where we know he'll make a significant impact.
Job Titles:
- Operations Administrator
- Operations Coordinator
Lilli is our operations genius who will most likely be on the other end of the line when you give us a call! She knows what to do and gets the job done effectively and efficiently through communication with the sales and installation team. Originally from England, Lilli has worked on a production line manufacturing boat parts in more customer-facing roles, such as the one here at Watersmart.
Lilli has an excellent eye for detail which significantly contributes to the success of the end result for our clients. Lilli understands that "everything needs to be planned down to the tiniest detail" when working in the building industry which is exactly what she does best!
Job Titles:
- Specification Manager
- Water Consultant - Specification Market
Matt was our second offical employee and has been with us from the Stormwater Systems days! We're lucky to have had Matt for over six years now. Prior to Watersmart, Matt has run a landscape design/build business and then became an Export Manager for a fresh produce company distributing to Asia!
Matt thrives at his role here due to his passion for educating people about growing climate changes and apply solution focused thinking to help specifiers overcome their onsite water challenges - which he always succeeds in!
When he's not in the office, you'll find Matt spending his spare time outdoors with his family and friends whether that's fishing, gardening, reading or listening to music.
Mo is our wonderful maintenance manager here at Watersmart. Constantly ensuring all the products and equipment are running smoothly with no two days same, as Mo says "every day is different."
Mo was originally born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand, this has allowed him to be exposed to a wide world view which he brings into his role!
During his spare time, Mo enjoys relaxing with loved ones and taking it slow - which he deserves with the face paced environment at Watersmart!
Paul is always a friendly face around the office and warehouse here at Watersmart. There is never a dull moment for Paul as the Supply Chain Coordinator, constantly running around getting things prepared and organised - which is what he does best! We are grateful for his skills and expertise from his previous job history in purchasing, logistics and inventory control.
During his spare time, Paul enjoys, traveling to catch up with friends and family, out on a walk, reading and even doing a bit of classic kiwi DIY.
It comes as no surprise to those who meet Philip that his successful business career has seen him lead the transformation of businesses across the world. His experience in leading start-up businesses to grow to the next level is proving invaluable as we meet the next growth stages of Watersmart.
From a finance and accounting background, Philip progressed to sales, marketing, and general management roles over the years within the wine industry. His broad base of commercial experience, combined with his in-depth technical knowledge of the wider team's roles, means he gets the best out of our people to deliver results for our customers.
Philip thrives off working with such a passionate, dynamic, and talented team of problem solvers. He loves that no day is the same - as we look to provide the best solution for our clients and constantly improve. As a keen surfer, out on the waves he sees first-hand the importance of protecting our water resources - "I personally appreciate everything we do to protect our waterways and help preserve the pristine beaches that we often take for granted in New Zealand."
Job Titles:
- Water Consultant - North & West Auckland
It is believed that it takes approximately 10 years to become an expert at a practice, which makes Richard a master at his work with over 30 years within the Plumbing/ drain laying trades! His expertise is heavily recognised here at Watersmart, with the role of the Water Consultant of North and West Auckland.
Like many of here, there's nothing Richard loves more than getting out in the great outdoors from walking, cycling and even playing football in the masters league!
Richard's professional yet approachable nature continues to help drive the success of Watersmart, as it's obvious that he genuinely cares about his clients by providing them with the best solution to their specific situations.
Job Titles:
- National Commercial Manager & South Island Lead
Roger's depth of experience in the construction and plumbing industry spans 28 years and delivers benefits to our customers every single day. He brings in-depth knowledge of all things related to plumbing and piping. Our resident Sherlock Holmes, Roger has a nose for identifying issues and solving them on the fly - often before others even knew they existed!
He has a keen interest in how cutting-edge technology can help us to deliver more sustainable outcomes. What Roger doesn't know about water reuse is simply not worth knowing! What this means is that he's always thinking one step ahead and challenges others to join him when it comes to solving water challenges for our customers.
Roger's a family man, who loves to spend his spare time with his family or catching up with friends. Our resident gym-junkie, he enjoys keeping fit and hits the gym on a regular basis.
Seth is one of our rising stars and the proud winner of the 2023 Apprentice of the Year award at Watersmart. Currently immersed in gaining his plumbing apprenticeship, Seth has quickly become an invaluable member of our team.
Seth's curiosity about water conservation has been a pleasant surprise for him during his time at Watersmart. He notes, "learning about innovative ways to store and reuse water I didn't know existed" as one of the most exciting aspects of his role. His openness to innovative ideas and eagerness to learn showcase the qualities that earned him the Apprentice of the Year award.
Beyond the pipes and fittings, Seth finds joy in gaming and spending quality time with friends. Whether he's on-site, hitting the books, or enjoying his favourite pastimes, Seth approaches each endeavour with a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
Job Titles:
- National Sales Manager
- National Sales & External Operations Manager
Simon is experienced in understanding his customers' needs right from the get-go and collaborating with them to solve their water attenuation problems. He lives and breathes construction and brings with him invaluable experience on both the trade and sales side of the industry, which gives him the ability to truly understand each of their unique challenges and deliver a solution that works.
Simon's typical days are full and varied, and whether it's visiting Key Account Build Partners, site visits with Key Accounts or Territory Managers, or meeting with Engineers and Architects, one thing you can count on is that he's listening - to thoroughly understand and help our customers.
Like many a kiwi kid, Simon grew up taking part in many sports and, along with his brothers, these sports often took part where he most loved being - on water. From water-skiing at an early age, to wakeboarding, surfing and now as the body aches (and breaks) he enjoys everything about paddle boarding, especially taking his three-year-old boy along with him now too.
Job Titles:
- Business Executive
- Internal Operations Manager
With Tasi's extensive experience in the building industry and a proven track record in efficient administration, she transitioned from the role of Admin Manager to become our dedicated Internal Operations Manager. In this capacity, she continues to wear various hats, now with a strategic focus on optimising internal processes, fostering operational efficiency, and ensuring seamless coordination between different departments.
Tasi's background in HR, Accounts, Operations, and System development has uniquely positioned her to oversee the intricacies of our internal operations. Her problem-solving skills and unwavering commitment to continual improvement have been instrumental in creating and implementing systems and processes that effectively manage and support our rapidly growing business.
With a keen focus on staff well-being, Tasi remains at the forefront of successfully onboarding and retaining a constant increase of staff every year. Her leadership in this aspect has contributed significantly to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
Tasi's integrity remains a cornerstone of her approach to work, and her desire for protecting the environment and integrating sustainable practices into her own everyday life continues to leave an indelible mark on our cultural DNA. As the Internal Operations Manager, she plays a pivotal role in aligning our operational strategies with a commitment to sustainability and efficiency, ensuring Watersmart remains a leader in both environmental responsibility and operational excellence.
Job Titles:
- Sales Support Administrator & Customer Service
Tessa is our sales support and customer service superstar!
Tessa is born and raised in West Auckland where she did all her schooling and found her love for music and sports. These passions evolved to Tessa travelling Europe and parts of Asia representing Samoa on the international stage in Rugby Union!
Tessa returned from Australia two years ago to be with loved ones back in Aotearoa. Tessa will be there to assist you with all your inquiries!