Colby Koelle
Automotive Refinish Technician
Niceville
Summary
Detail-oriented automotive refinisher with seven years industry experience. Hardworking, honest, thorough, adaptable, and striving for excellence in all work. Possessing a diverse knowledge of current and classic vehicle systems, construction, repair, and refinish. Seeking to utilize and expand my knowledge, skills, and experience in the automotive custom or restoration industries.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
F-16 Crew Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
01.2022 - 01.2026
- Performed and supervised comprehensive aircraft maintenance operations including: launch, recovery, preflight, postflight, thru-flight, end-of-runway, and special&phased inspections.
- Produced sortie generation operations to support high-tempo flightline activity and mission readiness.
- Interpreted technical data and instructions from conventional and automated technical data systems.
- Troubleshooting and maintaining complex systems including engines, gearboxes, hydraulics, pneumatics, fuel, airframes, landing gear, emergency power generation, and flight control systems.
- Removed, installed, adjusted, and aligned major aircraft components.
- Performed operational function checks of major systems and components.
- Assisted in aircraft jacking, towing, mooring and handling procedures.
- Interpreted inspection findings, assessed corrective actions and ensured compliance with technical orders and safety standards.
- Managed aircraft part inventory to sustain operational capability.
- Served in leadership roles including providing mentorship and supervision to junior technicians.
- Analyzed maintenance trends, documented physical and electronic forms databases.
- Maintain tools and support equipment to ensure functionality and longevity.
- Implemented foreign object and debris control measures to ensure safety of equipment and flight.
Automotive Refinish Technician
Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc.
07.2017 - 04.2021
- Refinish variety of materials, i.e., steel, aluminum, plastic, carbon fiber, and fiberglass.
- Inspect new or used panels for damage and quality.
- Optimize paint adhesion with proper sanding and cleaning.
- Accurately and efficiently mask repaired areas to prevent overspray.
- Experience with Sherwin-Williams, BASF, and Axalta (Spies-Hecker), solvent based primers, sealers, basecoats, and clear coats.
- Mix and apply new paint coats to match manufacturer color specifications or unique conditions.
- Meet exacting standards to apply high quality finishes.
- Inspect repaired areas for quality and consistency.
- Remove any surface imperfections in final finish layer.
- Maintain equipment or tools with weekly inspections, disassembly and cleaning of component parts.
- Monitor paint inventory and report need for re-stocking.
- Properly utilize personal protective equipment, i.e., respirators, gloves, and eye protection.
- Maintain clean working area.
- Comprehend and apply information provided on repair estimates.
- Record and store information from repair estimates.
Automotive Painter Assistant
Vantage Autoworks, LLC
11.2014 - 07.2017
- Moved customer vehicles to corresponding work stations.
- Disassembled vehicles to begin repair process.
- Ordered correct parts when needed.
- Prepared body repairs for primer coats.
- Applied primer coats to ensure proper coverage of body repairs.
- Masked vehicles from primer or paint overspray.
- Removed any surface imperfections in final finish layer.
- Assembled customers’ vehicles upon completion of repair.
- Monitor paint inventory and report need for re-stocking.
- Properly utilized personal protective equipment, i.e., respirators, gloves, and eye protection.
- Maintained clean working area.
- Comprehended and apply information provided on repair estimates.
- Thoroughly cleaned customers’ vehicles for delivery.
- Assisted in the maintaining and repair of shop/shop equipment.
Education
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL 05.2001 -
High School Diploma -
Central High School
Martinsburg, PA06.2013
Skills
- Quality-Focused
- Responsible
- Safety-conscious
- Flexible & Adaptable
- Attention to detail
- Paint application techniques
- Color matching expertise
- Vehicle disassembly
- Vehicle assembly
- Masking techniques
- Organizational skills
- Collision estimating experience
- Polishing and waxing
Timeline
F-16 Crew Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
01.2022 - 01.2026
Automotive Refinish Technician
Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc.
07.2017 - 04.2021
Automotive Painter Assistant
Vantage Autoworks, LLC
11.2014 - 07.2017
Community College of The Air Force
05.2001 -
High School Diploma -
Central High School