Rinze Spaanstra has been working for Pondera’s Construction, Building & Exploitation team since May 2023. To find out more, we asked him a few questions.
What did you do before you came to Pondera?
I come from the Rotterdam area, where I completed my studies in Business Administration and Dutch Law. Thereafter I fulfilled my service duty in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. My first employer was Centramin, a textile agency company in Noord Brabant, the Netherlands. I held a commercial position, selling textile yarns to customers in the north of England. I developed a great passion for English culture and English landscapes. In the meantime I met my current wife Kris, and we started living together in Tilburg.
After Centramin I switched to ArcelorMittal, a supplier of construction steel for the oil and gas industry, especially offshore platforms. I worked there as a business developer, but I was also involved in sales. I regularly traveled to Houston and Baku, among other places.
Currently, Kris and I have been living in Prinsenbeek, near Breda, for many years. Our two college kids have moved out of the house.
How did you get to know Pondera?
After my time at ArcelorMittal, I joined EEW Group, a German producer of steel monopiles and tubes for transformer platforms, among other things. The focus increasingly shifted from oil and gas to offshore wind. We supplied materials for the construction of the Gemini wind farm in the North Sea. This is where I first became acquainted with Pondera and my interest in the energy transition was sparked.
I noticed a job posting where Pondera was looking for a contracting expert. I applied for it, and after a few good conversations I was hired in Egbert’s team.
And how do you feel about being a Ponderian?
My current role is very diverse. I am involved in various projects that I find equally interesting, ranging from research into bird detection systems to participating in large tenders in Latvia and South Korea. So I can still evolve in all directions!
Pondera’s mix of young and older people really appeals to me, there is a lot of knowledge exchange and everyone is equally accessible. I am impressed by the entrepreneurship at Pondera and the multitude and variety of renewable energy projects that are being worked on. I think it’s great to be able to contribute to this.
What else do you want to tell us about yourself?
In general, I have a positive attitude towards life. After a number of recent deaths in my immediate environment, I realize all too well that it’s certainly not self-evident to be healthy. My wife Kris specializes in caregiving support for demented seniors, so she also experiences this every day.
Therefore I try to fully enjoy life and stay active by playing tennis, swimming and skiing. My motto is: keep busy as long as you’re able to!
