Dean Van Vorst
Johnstown,CO
Summary
Dedicated technical professional with a strong background in diagnosing and resolving technical issues. Proven track record of enhancing shop and team performance. Reliability and adaptability to evolving project requirements are key strengths, fostering a collaborative team environment. Known for problem-solving, technical acumen, and effective communication skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Technician
NLIGHT DEFENSE Systems Inc.
08.2020 - Current
- Working as the welding and fabrication lead I have been responsible for for all the manufacturing and modifications of COTS items.
- Mentored junior technicians, providing guidance on best practices to enhance their skills and knowledge base.
- Assisted in completing and delivering the first deliverable in company history and worked with a technical team to set up and align in the AFRL lab.
- I currently perform as the heavy lift supervisor, forklift practical trainer and operator, gantry inspector and operator, scaffold inspector, new lab plumbing inspector and approval, first aid/CPR trained, aerial lift operator certified, rigging certified.
- I work closely with facilities, EHS to ensure full compliance with regulations and company guidelines.
- I hold and maintain a Secret security clearance.
- I have a lot of contacts in various industries which helps me to leverage my Army logistics training to plan and execute supply, equipment and material needs to support the company.
Lead mechanic, shop foreman and special projects fabricator
Wells Concrete
01.2019 - Current
- Responsible for repairing and maintaining plant equipment i.e
- Concrete batch plant with 2- 4 yard mixers, stressing equipment, form beds and tarp carts, forklifts, front end loaders, skid steers, aerial and scissor lifts, mobile gantry cranes, bridge cranes and vehicles like mixer trucks, pickup trucks, semi trucks and other misc equipment
- Certified overhead crane inspector since 2014 and certified structural welder responsible for all welding, custom fabrication and special projects
- Mentor for plant equipment training program
- Certified operator of nearly all plant equipment
Lead mechanic, shop foreman and special projects fabricator
Rocky Mountain Prestress
06.2013 - 01.2019
- Responsible for repairing and maintaining plant equipment i.e
- Concrete batch plant with 2- 4 yard mixers, stressing equipment, form beds and tarp carts, forklifts, front end loaders, skid steers, aerial and scissor lifts, mobile gantry cranes, bridge cranes and vehicles like mixer trucks, pickup trucks, semi trucks and other misc equipment
- Certified overhead crane inspector since 2014 and certified structural welder responsible for all welding, custom fabrication and special projects
- Mentor for plant equipment training program
- Certified operator of nearly all plant equipment
91A Abrams tank mechanic/maintainer, welder
United States Army
11.2009 - 02.2013
- NCOIC of the battalion welding shop while performing various needed repairs and projects battalion wide
- Was hand picked to head up the first UME program in the Army for FORSCOM and maintained 10/20 standards for $64 million worth of equipment.
- Skilled in MIG, TIG and stick welding also skilled in use of plasma cutter, plasma cam, oxy/acetylene along with a variety of other fab/welding shop equipment
- Performed repair and maintenance on the M1 Abrams tank, M88 Hercules to include pulling engine/transmission packs, inspection and repair of turbine and diesel engines and transmissions, electrical, hydraulic and weapons systems
- Thorough knowledge of environmental, safety and health standards including Hazmat, MSDS (now SDS), HazCom, and OSHA requirements
Mechanic, lead welder and fabricator, shop foreman
Kicking Bird Enterprises Inc.
06.2006 - 09.2009
- Worked with and supervised 4 full time mechanics in a mostly field environment to ensure jobs were performed to high degree of professionalism and quality while adhering to safety standards
- Coordinated follow up work with customer, created quotes and worked with customer to minimize downtime and loss of production
- Managed the welding/fabrication shop employing proven skills to satisfy customer needs by understanding their business and designing and fabricating products to fit their needs to maximize productivity, reduce labor costs and product damage
- Generated invoices and assisted in managing accounts payable and receivable
- Generated proposals based on information detailed on the finished work orders
Shop and Field mechanic
H&E Equipment Co.
01.2004 - 06.2006
- Repair and replace damaged or worn parts
- Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles
- Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications
- Schedule maintenance for industrial machines and equipment, and keep equipment service records
- Research, order, and maintain parts inventory for services and repairs
- Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings ie hydraulic and electrical schematics and diagrams
- Diagnose faults, malfunctions and inspect damage to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration
- Performed major and minor repairs and PMCS on equipment both in the field and in the shop to include engine and transmission repair, rebuild and replacement
- Prepared new equipment delivery to customer by installing and options as specified on purchase order to ensure 100% customer satisfaction
- Provided forklift operators and safety training classes at customer locations
- Performed welding and fabrication services as needed
Shop and Field Mechanic
Material Handling Equipment Co.
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Repair and replace damaged or worn parts
- Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications
- Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles
- Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings ie hydraulic and electrical schematics and diagrams
- Diagnose faults, malfunctions and inspect damage to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices
- Order parts as needed to return equipment service
- Schedule maintenance for industrial machines and equipment, and keep equipment service records
- Research, order, and maintain parts inventory for services and repairs
- Performed major and minor repairs and PMCS on equipment both in the field and in the shop to include engine and transmission repair, rebuild and replacement
- Regularly inspected and repaired electrical, brake and hydraulic systems with a high degree of proficiency
- Performed repairs as needed to anything that compromised the structural integrity of the machine to ensure equipment complies to industry and OSHA standards
- Prepared new equipment delivery to customer by installing and options as specified on purchase order to ensure 100% customer satisfaction
- Provided forklift operators and safety training classes at customer locations
- Performed welding and fabrication services as needed
Education
microsoft office advanced operation -
Arapahoe community collage
Littleton, COAdvanced M1 Abrams repair - Advanced repair of the M1 Abrams tank platform and weapons systems
Fort Knox, United States Army
Fort Knox, KYOrganizational Leadership
United States Army NCO Academy
Fort Hood, TXHigh School Diploma -
Smoky Hill
Aurora, CO05.2001
Skills
- Ability to learn quickly
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Task completion
- Safety awareness
- Efficiency
- Minimal supervision
- Stellar attendance record
- Hand and power tools
- Technical assistance
- Advanced Repair Techniques
- Troubleshooting and resolution
Certification
- CPR/AED Certification
- First Aid Certification
- Forklift Certification
- Arial lift Certification
- Gantry inspection Certification
- Gantry operation Certification
Languages
English
Timeline
Senior Technician
NLIGHT DEFENSE Systems Inc.
08.2020 - Current
Lead mechanic, shop foreman and special projects fabricator
Wells Concrete
01.2019 - Current
Lead mechanic, shop foreman and special projects fabricator
Rocky Mountain Prestress
06.2013 - 01.2019
91A Abrams tank mechanic/maintainer, welder
United States Army
11.2009 - 02.2013
Mechanic, lead welder and fabricator, shop foreman
Kicking Bird Enterprises Inc.
06.2006 - 09.2009
Shop and Field mechanic
H&E Equipment Co.
01.2004 - 06.2006
Shop and Field Mechanic
Material Handling Equipment Co.
01.2001 - 01.2004
Advanced M1 Abrams repair - Advanced repair of the M1 Abrams tank platform and weapons systems
Fort Knox, United States Army
High School Diploma -
Smoky Hill
- CPR/AED Certification
- First Aid Certification
- Forklift Certification
- Arial lift Certification
- Gantry inspection Certification
- Gantry operation Certification
microsoft office advanced operation -
Arapahoe community collage
Organizational Leadership
United States Army NCO Academy
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