Gerad Waits
Kilgore,TX
Summary
Collision center manager with expertise in customer relationship management and conflict resolution. Proven track record of leading teams to implement quality standards, resulting in improved service delivery. Achievements include significant increases in customer satisfaction and retention rates.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
Work History
Collision Center /Automotive Service Manager
Patterson Motors of Kilgore
Kilgore, TX
05.2008 - 03.2026
- Directed daily operations for service department at Patterson Motors of Kilgore.
- Supervised and trained automotive technicians on best service practices.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
- Coordinated scheduling for service appointments and technician assignments.
- Resolved customer complaints swiftly to maintain dealership reputation.
- Monitored inventory levels for parts and tools required in repairs.
- Conducted performance appraisals and provided actionable feedback to staff.
- Analyzed business performance data to forecast results for upper management.
Automotive Refinish Technician
Patterson Motors of Kilgore
Kilgore, Texas
06.1999 - 05.2008
- Prepared surfaces for refinishing by sanding, cleaning, and masking areas.
- Mixed and applied automotive paint using spray guns and other tools.
- Inspected completed products for quality assurance and adherence to specifications.
- Maintained clean work environment, enhancing safety and efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members, streamlining workflow processes.
- Trained new technicians on techniques and safety protocols effectively.
- Resolved customer concerns regarding paint finishes, ensuring satisfaction.
- Documented materials used and work performed for inventory tracking purposes.
Territory Sales & Paint Manufacture Representative
English Color & Supply
Richardson, Texas
02.1997 - 05.1999
- Guided customers in selecting paint products and supplies, enhancing overall satisfaction.
- Maintained inventory levels for color and supply items, ensuring availability.
- Processed customer orders accurately and handled transactions efficiently.
- Instructed customers on product features and application techniques, improving usability and customer experience.
- Resolved inquiries and complaints professionally while demonstrating empathy.
- Trained new staff on store policies and customer service standards to ensure consistency.
- Partnered with team members to streamline store operations and enhance customer service processes.
- Achieved sales targets through effective negotiation and closing techniques, driving revenue.
Automotive Refinish Technician
Durham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge
Kilgore, Texas
03.1995 - 02.1997
- Prepared surfaces for refinishing by sanding, cleaning, and masking areas.
- Mixed and applied automotive paint using spray guns and other tools.
- Inspected finished products to ensure quality met specifications.
- Maintained organized and clean work environment to promote safety standards.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline workflow, resulting in improved turnaround times.
- Assisted in training new technicians on techniques and safety protocols.
- Addressed customer concerns regarding paint finishes, ensuring satisfaction through effective communication.
- Documented work performed and materials used for inventory tracking purposes.
Fiberglass Tooling and Design Specialist
Harwood Industries
Tyler, Texas
08.1993 - 03.1995
- Developed tooling solutions for manufacturing processes at Harwood Industries.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to design and implement efficient tooling systems.
- Analyzed production requirements to select suitable tools and materials.
- Inspected tools regularly for compliance with safety standards, ensuring operational safety and reliability.
- Reviewed and revised designs based on team and client feedback, enhancing design quality and client satisfaction.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to timelines and requirements to deliver on objectives.
- Conducted user experience tests to validate design outcomes.
- Created product designs aligned with client specifications and preferences.
Automotive Body Technician
Nelson Oldsmobile
Gladewater, Texas
02.1990 - 08.1993
- Conducted thorough inspections and assessments, identifying critical vehicle repair needs.
- Performed body repairs on various vehicle makes and models.
- Operated welding and cutting tools to restore vehicle frames effectively.
- Applied refinishing techniques, ensuring precise paint matching and high-quality surface restoration.
- Collaborated with team members to improve overall repair processes.
- Maintained clean workspace, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Adhered to safety regulations to guarantee a secure work environment.
- Ordered parts to facilitate on-time completion of repairs, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Shop Technician
The Paint Gunn
Kilgore, Texas
02.1988 - 02.1990
- Applied primer coatings to newly-repaired surfaces before painting.
- Mixed paint according to manufacturer's specifications for color matching purposes.
- Finished repaired areas by sanding them to an even surface.
- Stocked shelves with supplies and materials for efficient collision repair operations.
- Repaired dents, straightened bent frames, and replaced damaged panels.
- Removed rust from metal surfaces using wire brushes or other tools.
- Removed damaged parts from vehicles, such as bumpers, fenders, hoods, and grills.
- Masked off areas that weren't meant to be painted or refinished.
- Assisted technicians in executing complex repairs, enhancing overall repair quality.
- Sprayed multiple coats of paint onto prepared surfaces using HVLP spray guns.
- Filled dents using hammers and dollies or plastic fillers.
- Polished repaired surfaces with a buffing wheel for a smooth finish.
- Installed new parts like doors, windows, windshields, headlights, and mirrors.
- Replaced damaged car fenders, grills and panels.
- Replaced or repaired parts to complete daily work orders on vehicles.
- Sanded, refinished and painted car bodies to improve appearance and overall value.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
- Inspected automotive repairs to match paint and maintain body appearance.
- Applied primer and paint to vehicles following repair.
- Installed and aligned vehicle body parts and panels.
- Matched and mixed paint to ensure perfect color matching.
- Ensured smoothness of vehicle surfaces through sanding and buffing.
- Maintained cleanliness and orderliness in the work area.
- Removed dents with hammers, suction and skilled use of dolly blocks.
- Used metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches to remove damaged vehicle sections.
- Used buffing tools to repair dents on vehicle doors and panels.
- Filled small dents and lesser cosmetic issues with plastic or solder to create smooth surfaces for painting.
Shop /Yard Hand
Harris Brothers
Kilgore, Texas
06.1984 - 02.1988
- Operated forklifts and pallet jacks to move large items efficiently.
- Loaded and unloaded materials for transport, ensuring timely delivery to designated locations.
- Secured cargo in trucks with straps and protective padding, preventing damage during transport.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of workspaces, promoting safety and efficiency throughout yard.
- Collaborated with team members when loading large equipment to ensure safety.
- Conducted equipment inspections and performed simple repairs.
- Cleared debris from lawns, gardens, walkways, driveways using leaf blower or rake.
- Reported hazards or incidents promptly to appropriate professionals.
Education
Associate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX05-1993
Skills
- Automotive diagnostics
- Vehicle inspection
- Service operations
- Quality control
- Parts ordering
- Inventory management
- Workflow management
- Regulatory compliance
- Conflict resolution
- Problem solving
- Process optimization
- Customer relationship management
- Customer satisfaction
- Quality standards
- Dealership management
- Vendor negotiation
- Vendor management
- Employee evaluation
- Training development
- Time management
- Scheduling skills
- Employee retention
- Team leadership
- Team development
- Task delegation
- Performance evaluations
- Collaboration skills
- Effective communication
- Professional demeanor and reliability
- Relationship building
- Adaptability and multitasking abilities
- Active listening
- Marketing initiatives
- Environmental awareness
- Vendor management
- Active listening
Accomplishments
- My Greatest Honor is being a husband to my wife for 33 years and father to our three amazing children
- Certified Chevrolet Master Technician
- ASE Certified Refinish Technician
- Dale Carnegie Training Graduate
- Scott Brown Leadership Award
Timeline
Collision Center /Automotive Service Manager
Patterson Motors of Kilgore
05.2008 - 03.2026
Automotive Refinish Technician
Patterson Motors of Kilgore
06.1999 - 05.2008
Territory Sales & Paint Manufacture Representative
English Color & Supply
02.1997 - 05.1999
Automotive Refinish Technician
Durham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge
03.1995 - 02.1997
Fiberglass Tooling and Design Specialist
Harwood Industries
08.1993 - 03.1995
Automotive Body Technician
Nelson Oldsmobile
02.1990 - 08.1993
Shop Technician
The Paint Gunn
02.1988 - 02.1990
Shop /Yard Hand
Harris Brothers
06.1984 - 02.1988
Associate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Kilgore College