Mailing: PO Box 940 Bound Brook, NJ 08805 Physical: 8W Chimney Rock Road Bound Brook, NJ 08805 Website: www.fleetguardian.com
UnionTownship Man Can See The Future. And for tomorrow’s mechanics, it looks bright.
Bridgewater, November 12, 2007: As a small business owner, Union Township resident Damon Russell has employed graduates from vocational high schools and higher learning technical schools. But he confesses it was a shock to be asked to help re-design the diesel curriculum for the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).
Mr. Russell, who operates a repair shop in Bridgewater that focuses on smaller diesel vehicles, routinely helps mechanics “already in the trenches”…from writing competency tests for working mechanics to assisting other shops in the US & Canada with technical questions, he is well-known for his support of mechanics already working in the industry.
This request from NATEF, however, is something completely new for Mr. Russell. He will be able to design the program that teachers use in their classrooms, thereby impacting tomorrow’s mechanics.
It seems that this is new for NATEF too; Mr. Russell found himself the only mechanic on the panel. While the rest of the panel was picked from a national pool of instructors from various schools and colleges as well as truck manufacturers, Mr. Russell was the only panel member who actually repairs trucks for a living. In an interview with Mr. Russell, he said “out of 270,000 diesel mechanics employed in this industry, they ask me? I’m not sure if I should be excited, or scared…I guess I’m too excited to be scared.”
During the interview, Mr. Russell described the request as “…just awesome…” ”how often do you get the chance to influence the future of so many young people”… ”those poor kids”, he added, jokingly.
Poor kids, indeed; Mr. Russell is sure to set the bar pretty high. He is perpetually inscribed in the Automotive Hall of Fame, has over 40 ASE certifications, 6 ASE Master Certifications and numerous other industry accolades and awards.
NATEF is the national non-profit foundation that designs tough curriculums for training tomorrow’s mechanics; schools choosing to adopt the stringent NATEF standards are proud to become “NATEF-certified”, a distinction that places those schools above ordinary education facilities. NATEF-certified schools must continually meet strict guidelines, teach from a detailed syllabus and invest heavily in their student’s education through required tooling, facilities and teacher training.
Mr. Russell lives on a small farm in Union Township with his wife, Kathy. They share their farm with several cats, chickens and horses as well one ornery goat. He can be reached at his business, Fleet Guardian, LLC, at 732-560-9401
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