Former Fairview Resident Plays Important Role At DitchWitch

By Melinda Barton
NW Technology Center
melindab@nwtechonline.com

Growing up in Fairview, David Harder never imagined that he would play an important role in the growth of the Charles Machine Works Company of Perry, Oklahoma which is known world-wide as DitchWitch.

Harder, a Fairview native and the son of Janice and Ray Harder, graduated from Fairview High School in 1994. While attending high school, Harder was also a student in Northwest Technology Center's Welding Technology program.  

Following graduation, Harder worked for Waldon in Fairview for two years.  For the past eight and a half years, he has worked at DitchWitch in Perry where he is a Hand Arc Welder. His duties include working with robot welders and programming the robots.  Harder holds certifications in Stick and MIG welding which are the main certifications needed to get a job in the welding industry.    

Harder also handles many other duties at DitchWitch. He is one of the company's Blood Drive coordinators, coordinator for the Cherokee Strip Parade for DitchWitch products, serves on the DitchWitch Christmas Committee and is a company tour guide.

Harder has also held the position of Safety Representative for his area of the company and is also an Internal Auditor for the company's ISO Certification Program.

"I had a great teacher and motivator, Delbert Moore!  From my experience, the technology center teaches more than just welding," Harder said. "It prepared me for the workplace. We participated in putting together a resume', learning interview skills and what to expect on the job."

 "While I attended Northwest Technology Center, I was a member of the student organization, VICA and found it extremely beneficial. I held the office of treasurer where I learned and developed many leadership skills. Without these skills, I would not have been able to accomplish the things that I have done in my job.  

 "David Harder was one of the most eager and conscientious student that I had in my career of teaching.  He was very courteous and very easy to work with.  He was sometimes shy when it came to expressing himself," said Delbert Moore, retired welding technology instructor at Northwest Technology Center.  "We need more young people with his morals and his ability to get along with other people. He was a pleasure to work with."