MEET GARY MCDERMOTT

Gary McDermott is our operations manager and heads up our TRIP site. Gary has been a part of the business for 35 years and is one of the longest serving employees – what an achievement!

Continue reading to learn more about Gary…

Tell us about your job

I am currently the operations manager looking after TRIP and Rail Operations. I look after the day to day running of both departments making sure they run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I have had a variety of roles over the years here at AV Dawson, starting as a pallet repairer. I have an extensive knowledge of all sorts of weird and wonderful projects that have happened at AVD over the decades!

What do you like most about your job?

Definitely the variety of work we do within the company. Every job has different challenges and I’ve had a few challenges in my 35-year career here so far (yes that’s right 35 years, I started before Phil Thompson was born!) I like being part of the AVD family, working together with all the different departments. I have really enjoyed building TRIP up, over the last 10 years to what it is now.

What interests do you have?

I have a particular interest in all kinds of sport, watching and playing them. I try to go to the gym as much as I can and I’m a very keen golfer, I like to play a couple of times a week, if possible. I like watching my son participate in athletics and enjoy teaching him to play golf. We often visit different zoos around the country, the best so far is Blackpool Zoo.

What’s your favourite place?

I have been to many countries over the years and like to travel, but my favorite place is Majorca. I love the sun (as you can tell) and I love going there with my family.

What are you currently reading or watching?

Do you have any recommendations?

I don’t really read a lot, but I do like watching any sport and a good series on Netflix. I’ve just finished watching El Chapo, that guy was crazy!

Tell us something interesting that not many people would know about you?

I once won a national under 18 table tennis competition to go professional aged 11. I almost qualified to represent Europe in 9 ball pool in the Mosconi Cup against America, but I got beat in the final frame, my teammates would have been Jimmy White and Alex Higgins! I’m finally getting married to Jo next year, on a beach in Turkey, with my son Archie as my best man.