Thomas “Tom” Sichelstiel (Pennsylvania)

After graduating from Penn State with a dual major in Business and English Literature, Tom began working with heavy equipment in 1985 at a retirement center in Florida and has been working with equipment in various roles ever since. In 2011, he established the Trench Safety Division in the Pittsburgh market for United Rentals and joined Sunbelt Rentals in 2016 serving as a Service Manager until he accepted the District Safety Trainer role in 2019 covering the South- Western PA market from Erie PA to Fairmont WV. 

Tom is certified to train MEWP, forklift, and earthmoving equipment operator certification classes in addition to Fall Protection, and MEWP and forklift Train the Trainer courses. Tom is integral in the program to expand virtual equipment operator training for Sunbelt Rentals. 

Tom’s strong experience in operations has provided a lot of insight into the need to provide a safe work environment for employees and customers. He brings real life experiences into the classroom in hopes that his passion for safety and working with people will positively impact the lives of equipment operators and their families.    

Tom has been married for over 30 years.  He and his wife have 3 cats, one of which he rescued after being stuck in a boom lift. He enjoys cars, motorcycles, physical fitness, and outdoor activities to include golf, shooting, freeclimbing, traveling, and putting up lots of Christmas lights.  Tom is an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins, and his alma mater’s Penn State Nittany Lions.