Meet Sonny Amelse, Field Tech

Sonny joined Energenecs as a field technician last January, bringing experience from his previous role as a systems technician in Wisconsin, where he specialized in electrical maintenance, PLC, and HMI programming. At Energenecs, he works on projects that include installing and programming SCADA systems for water control systems. His role often involves balancing travel and remote work, troubleshooting, and collaborating with other technicians when needed. Outside of work, Sonny enjoys a variety of hobbies, including reading & movies, outdoors, and driving his 1949 Chrysler.

What attracted you to this type of work?

I really like programming PLCs and HMIs. It’s fun to make things work!

What type of projects do you work on?

Right now, I’m working on a city’s control system for their water, including PLC programming for water wells, and then doing the SCADA for their town to tie everything back together.

Where do you travel for projects?

For the most part, we go all over. I’ve been from one side of Wisconsin to the other and the UP of Michigan to Illinois, but I primarily work in western Wisconsin. Lately, I have been programming from home, working on getting a SCADA system set up for a town, but the day before, I was onsite to finish a different startup in Eau Claire. Then Monday was more of a service issue. So it really depends on the day… driving all over some days, then other days are all working from home on programming.

Do you work with the other technicians or are you more independent?

It’s pretty independent, but we also work as a team. So this week, I worked with two different technicians to get things done faster. Using teamwork, one person can test something and the other can make sure it’s coming through in the program for the lift station when we are starting up. It’s busy, that’s for sure. Not a dull moment!

What do you like to do with your time off?

I enjoy reading, watching films every now and then, playing games, hunting whitetail, and playing with my dog. Also doing some stuff outside like grilling and smoking meat for the family. I have a classic 1949 Chrysler that I like to take out on weekends as well. It’s pretty much all original. I just replaced a couple of things on the starter, and I have a few little things I’ve got to rebuild. It’ll be a good winter project!