Robert Fricke
Cassopolis,MI
Summary
With a proven track record at Starboard Choice Marine, I excel in marine transport, outboard and electronics installation, and demonstrate exceptional leadership, ensuring projects exceed expectations. Recognized for outstanding customer service and technical proficiency, my career spans from hands-on technical roles to strategic management positions, driving efficiency and productivity improvements in every team I lead.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Marine Technician
Starboard Choice Marine
Edwardsburg, MI
09.2022 - Current
- I was brought on as a seasonal employee to assist with boat transport during the busy fall season. Within the first week, I was asked to stay on as a full-time employee and moved around as a "floater" to fill in wherever needed, including working as a salesman during boat shows.
- Shrink-wrapped, winterized, and arranged for off-season storage.
- Communicated effectively with customers regarding progress of work being done on their vessels.
- I attended training sessions regularly to learn and upgrade my skill set in the marine technician field.
- Installed new accessories, such as electronics (fish finders, GPS, stereos, radios), installed and repaired lights, anchor systems, and other accessories.
- Rigged boats with new motors, installed used motors, and inspected and prepped new boats for delivery.
- Conducted safety checks on boats before launching them into water for customers' use.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Performed routine maintenance and repairs on marine vessels, including engines, fuel systems, electrical wiring, and other components.
- Training to diagnose mechanical problems using computerized diagnostic tools and technical manuals.
- Operate light-duty and medium-duty equipment, including tractors, loaders, forklifts, etc.
Self Employed
Fricke's Resale
Cassopolis, MI
04.2014 - 11.2022
- Owned, operated, and managed several small businesses during the same time frame.
- I started Fricke's Resale as a side job to earn extra cash during work slowdowns, where I would buy items in bulk or at online auctions, and sell them in the retail market. This turned into a primary means of income for over eight years.
- Rehabbed and flipped multiple homes. Experienced with average, and some larger-scale home repairs and construction.
- I operated (and currently still do) a small welding and fabricating shop, dealing primarily with aluminum MIG welding and some mild steel MIG welding.
- Constant maintenance and problem-solving, as well as budget analysis and financial planning to keep costs down, production where it needed to be, and profits as high as possible.
RV Supervisor
Heartland RV
Elkhart, IN
04.2008 - 05.2014
- With prior aluminum welding experience, I was hired by Heartland RV as a Production Aluminum Welder.
- Assisted in the building and setup of jigs and fixtures.
- Positioned and clamped workpieces together and properly assembled in jigs and fixtures.
- Cut trimmed and fabricated metal components to exact dimensions for building and assembling.
- Within five months, I was promoted to the welding group leader. Roughly one year later, I was tasked with assisting with the setup and startup of a new lamination shop. After completion was complete and production was started, I was given the opportunity to take on the assistant plant manager position.
- I was responsible for daily production, quality control, employee safety, R&D, and production engineering duties, such as streamlining processes and reducing waste.
- Created plans to propose solutions to problems related to efficiency, costs or profits.
- Collaborated with other departments to coordinate workflow processes between teams.
- Provided guidance and direction to subordinates regarding job duties and responsibilities.
- Evaluated employee performance through periodic reviews and documented results accordingly.
- Performed daily and weekly inventory checks to ensure sufficient stock levels for all products.
- Implemented new operational procedures, increasing efficiency.
- Worked closely with human resources to support employee management and organizational planning.
- Identified opportunities for process improvements, leading to cost reductions and increased productivity.
- Implemented quality control measures, significantly reducing error rates.
- Streamlined workflow processes, reducing project completion times.
- I was trained and certified as a forklift operator to assist when and where needed.
Aluminum Welder
Travel Supreme
Wakarusa, IN
02.2004 - 03.2008
- Hired and trained to read blueprints and weld aluminum slide-outs for recreational vehicles.
- Set up and maintain equipment such as welders, saws, grinders, etc.
- Read blueprints, revise when needed, and build walls to print. Including modifying walls and prototypes as changes were made.
- Adjusted weld machines to correct settings for precision and waste reduction.
- Broke down defective products to correct errors, straighten pieces and properly reassemble components.
- Operated all tools and equipment safely to prevent accidents.
- Marked or tagged material with job number, piece marks and other identifying marks.
- Used appropriate filler materials and correct gas mixtures with each different alloy.
- Assembled jigs for common pieces and parts to streamline the process.
- Positioned and clamped workpieces together and properly assembled in jigs and fixtures.
- Remained employed for Travel Supreme until the company filed bankruptcy and was forced to close.
Production MIG Welder
Faurecia Exhaust
Granger, IN
08.2000 - 02.2004
- Hired as a production machine operator that made vehicle exhaust systems.
- They went above and beyond what was expected for a line worker.
- I trained and learned multiple different jobs during any downtime we had.
- I learned how to MIG weld mild steel and was awarded the opportunity to become a full-time welder.
- As both a machine operator and a production welder, I always made sure to hit our rates and quotas.
- Our production line was one of the most efficient lines in the company, even outperforming the lines that were run by automated robots.
- Maintain records of production output and quality control results.
- Calibrate and adjust equipment settings as necessary for optimal performance.
- Completed welds in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Inspect finished products to ensure compliance with specifications.
Education
High School Diploma -
Edwardsburg High School
Edwardsburg, MI05-1999
Some College (No Degree) - Business Management
Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MISkills
- Extremely detail-oriented
- I take great pride in my work
- Fiberglass repair techniques
- Hydraulic systems repair
- Marine communication systems
- Outboard motor repair
- Anchoring systems
- Marine electronics installation
- Navigation equipment
- Welding and fabrication
- Marine transport and hauling
- Forklift operations
- Tractor operations
- Great customer service
- Outstanding work ethic
- Natural team leader
Affiliations
- Avid Lake Michigan tournament fisherman
- Multiple fishing tournament placements with cash and prize payouts
- Designed and built our tournament boat from a bare hull to one of the smallest, yet safest boats fishing along the Lake Michigan Tournament Trail
- Huge animal and pet lover.
Timeline
Marine Technician
Starboard Choice Marine
09.2022 - Current
Self Employed
Fricke's Resale
04.2014 - 11.2022
RV Supervisor
Heartland RV
04.2008 - 05.2014
Aluminum Welder
Travel Supreme
02.2004 - 03.2008
Production MIG Welder
Faurecia Exhaust
08.2000 - 02.2004
High School Diploma -
Edwardsburg High School
Some College (No Degree) - Business Management
Southwestern Michigan College
Similar Profiles
Whitney WatsonWhitney Watson
Marketing Coordinator at Anglers Choice MarineMarketing Coordinator at Anglers Choice Marine
Lloydia SmithLloydia Smith
Retail Store Sales Manager at Starboard Cruise Services, Division Of LVMHRetail Store Sales Manager at Starboard Cruise Services, Division Of LVMH
Janeke LeibrandtJaneke Leibrandt
Luxury Retail Sales Manager at Starboard Cruise Services IncLuxury Retail Sales Manager at Starboard Cruise Services Inc
David PetersenDavid Petersen
Plumber's Assistant at Tancredi Plumbing & HeatingPlumber's Assistant at Tancredi Plumbing & Heating
C. Robert YearyC. Robert Yeary
Public Entity Risk Manager at IPEP Indiana Public Employers PlanPublic Entity Risk Manager at IPEP Indiana Public Employers Plan