Darren Champagne Jr

Automotive,motorcycle, industrial, and marine repair and refinish

Picayune, MS

ad2uaa@r.postjobfree.com

769-***-****

Certified by PPG in automotive refinish procedures along with Valspar for color theory and match and substrate preparation

Willing to relocate: Anywhere

Authorized to work in the US for any employer

Work Experience

Estimator/Sales/Management

Paint and Body Experts of Slidell - Slidell, LA

January 2018 to May 2018

Writing estimates, scheduling repairs, ordering parts, making sure work is done in a timely manner and done correctly. Follow incoming job intake process which consisted of locating the file for the customer, checking to see if parts had been ordered or still needed to be, how much tear down needs to be done to efficiently estimate the damages and order parts. Mainly following Direct Repair Process Procedure for all insurance companies that had "Paint and Body Experts" as their direct repair shop. I don't feel it necessary to name the companies but will say i remember 8 different insurance companies that we were in contract with, and if you don't stay on top of your work, or make silly mistakes, it could cost the company i worked for potentially $250,000/year. I enjoy it because i like to work with the customers, and help them understand why we follow certain procedures or use certain parts. It doesn't matter where i work, if the employees can't or won't follow the correct repair procedures, because if i can't show them the correct way and then them do it right, something would have to change. My father has a Bodyshop and i worked for him most of my adult life, and he gives a Lifetime Warranty on all repairs, so shortcuts and butcher jobs never left the shop until they were right. I frimly believe that's the best

(maybe only) way to learn how to be a painter.

Lead Estimator/Project Manager

Walkers Collision Center- Picayune, MS - Picayune, MS May 2010 to September 2014

• Writing estimates for customers and insurance companies

• Taking photos of vehicle damage as well as documenting prior damage upon arrival, with pictures

• Schedule the repair process, Set up the rental car for the customer if needed

• Order all parts on estimate (there are many options when it comes to used and aftermarket parts for most vehicles, so i would find the cheapest, most reliable retailer to build a relationship with

• Check Parts upon arrival for quality and to make sure the piece is correct

• Motivate the team to get the job from body shop to paint shop

• Sending supplements to the insurance companies, and sometimes that would require me contacting adjusters, and sometimes they have to come back out to the shop for pics

• After vehicle is buffed and detailed, i would print the latest estimate and go over every line accordingly, looking at the quality of the bodywork, bodylines, quality of basecoat and clearcoat application.be

• i have a template i made that i use on every vehicile before i contact the customer for delivery options.

Lead Painter

Walkers Collision Center - Picayune, MS

January 2004 to April 2010

1. Prep new, used, and aftermarket parts for refinishing procedure. 2. Stay up to date with newest products, keep stock and inventory of needed supplies and toners. 3. Buffing and glazing to meet company standards.

4. Finishing jobs according to labor hours on the estimate. 5. Color tinting for match.

6. I painted many 18 wheelers

7. During my time their i probably painted 8 or so airplanes 8. I painted a whole lot of heavy machinery for a rental company in St. Rose Education

Picayune Memorial High School in Diploma

Picayune Memorial High School - Picayune, MS

April 2000 to August 2004

High school or equivalent

Picayune Memorial High School - Picayune, MS

September 2000 to May 2004

Skills

Collision Repair, Body Shop, Auto Body, Drywall, Restoration Certifications/Licenses

Automotive Refinish Specialist

April 2015 to Present

1. Color theory

2. Substrate preparation

3. Application procedures

TWIC

October 2019

Transportation Workers Identification Credentials

Additional Information

• CCC pathways and Microsoft office proficient

• Customer oriented

• Self motivated

• Natural leader

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