CSA Farewells Simon Leeds

April 30th saw the departure of one of CSA’s long term employees – Simon Leeds.

Prior to starting with CSA in February 2000, Simon had completed his engineering degree followed a year or so playing the professional beach volleyball circuit where he achieved Australian ranking. At his first CSA job interview, I clearly recall Simon arriving on crutches with his leg in a plaster cast having severely dislocated his ankle playing his favourite sport.

Starting as an application engineer, Simon eventually climbed the corporate ladder to be our Technical Support Manager, a member of the CSA Management Committee and a CSA shareholder. In the interim, he married Leah, had two wonderful children (Lucy and Damon), purchased a house onto which he built a deck, became a keen and accomplished mountain biker, and finally took up white water kayaking. Where many employees request a gold watch for their 10 year service award, Simon was presented with a carbon fibre kayak paddle especially imported from the US.

Simon’s outgoing personality, excellent product knowledge and strong technical skills made him an asset to our company and a hit with our clients. He became an excellent trainer, able to sense the mood of a class and adjust his delivery, as well as impart the most technical details in a simple to understand manner. I recently had the good fortune to accompany Simon on a trip to SE Asia where he ran three consecutive three-day training classes in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia in a total of 11 days - teaching complex principles to students whose native language was not English. In Vietnam, Technical Manager Mr Nam made a moving toast to Simon at the end of the course, stating that “in Vietnam, we show respect to teachers. I would like to show my respect to you, not just as a teacher but as a great teacher”.

While Simon’s enthusiasm, skills, counsel and personality will be sorely missed at CSA, all is not lost. Simon and Leah’s desire to move interstate coincided nicely with an offer of employment from one of our major customers, Greenspan Technical Services where I am certain he will continue to use CS data loggers and equipment. Simon will be working out of their Coff’s Harbour office – where he has already checked out the local mountain bike trails and white water rafting locations.

Simon, Leah, Lucy and Damon go with our very best wishes for a wonderful and exciting future.