The Electronic billboard in this photo is one of the electronic L.E.D. "TV Style" billboards I was responsible for in the San Francisco Bay area (Bay Bridge).  

My responsibilities: Troubleshoot and repair primary electrical issues, as well as troubleshooting and repair of electronic sub systems, power supplies, fans, L.E.D modules, printed circuit cards, wiring, etc...  

Billboards like these are high profile and require a two hour response time, and must be repaired and restarted quickly. With major outages, parts are brought in overnight. With pre-paid advertising, every second of blank screen is a major problem.  Fast problem solving abilities are a must, for an electronic/electric sign and lighting technician.

Yesco - Custom Electric Signs -  875 National Dr.  suite 107, Sacramento, CA 95834.  (916) 419-8101

 I worked for Yesco in Oakland California, but the main office is in Sacramento.  My direct supervisor was Kip Kitto  Service Manager. I was responsible for the troublshooting and repair of all type of elctronic and electric signage, as well as various forms of outdoor lighting, such as metal halide (mercury vapor), and high pressure sodium parking lot lighting.  Primary wiring troublshooting from 110v to 480v.

Responsible for Neon sign repair, which often happened 80 to 100ft in the air.  To reach the signage we employed the use of various types of machinery including, Bucket/Crane trucks to 85ft., Ladder trucks to 55ft., and man lifts such as JLG up to 135ft.  It is sometimes necessary to rent window washing stages to repair multi-story signage.  Neon signage consists of transformers which up the voltage from110v or 220v to 15,000v.  High voltage wiring often arcs and shorts out due to water getting into the conduit during rain. Finding these short circuits, as well as broken glass tubes, burnt out transformers, and many other problems, takes a skilled technician.  Finding these problems quickly is what the industry requires due to the high price charged for service calls. I was responsible for a large area of operation and high volume of work orders in the Bay Area.

Timeline:  8/2009  to  9/2010 - went to work for DynCorp in Kandahar. 

LOGCAP III Contract Iraq

These up-Armored trucks from International, served as my work vehicles for 13 months. The trucks were driven with no trailers so the drivers were referred to as "Bobtails".  The Bobtail and his truck, loaded with tools and towing equipment, followed the 30 truck fuel convoys, ready to rush in and repair, or tow, trucks that had become disabled on the often dangerous and hazardous roads of Iraq.  An "outside the wire" recovery mechanic, and tow truck driver would be an accurate description of the job 

Kellogg Brown & Root.  4100 Clinton Dr.  -  Houston, TX  77020 -- 713-753-3011

I worked for KBR several times on several contracts.  The photo is from a contract from 8/2007 - 9/2008 Camp Anaconda.  I also worked for KBR from 1/2006 to 8/2006 on Camps Cedar II and Tallil AFB, and from 11/2008 to 4/2009 Camp Korean Village.  My jobs varied from, Bobtail, to Heavy Vehicle Operator, Up-Armor production Lead-man, and Bulk water department lead-man.

My direct supervisors were:  Richard Bamonte, now Business Developement Manager at KBR, and Jerry Lee, now  FMS Dispatcher at Key Energy Services in Dallas FTWorth area.

Timeline:  1/2006 to 8/2006    -   8/2007 to 9/2008   -  11/2008 to 4/2009 

This is one of the many signs in the Bay Area I was responsible for, while working with Service One Electric Sign of Livermore California.

As an Electronic / Electric Sign Tech for Service One, we were responsible for the Installation of a variety of signage from Neon, Fluorescent, L.E.D., Non-illuminated, Flexface, and banners.

We were also repair technicians when between installation jobs. We used various types of vehicles to perform our installations, including Elliott crane/bucket trucks which you see in this photo, also Garland Crane trucks, Wilkie Ladder trucks, Sponko Ladder trucks, scissor lifts, man lifts to 135ft, and window washing rigs for multi story building signage.

For this job, no fear of hieghts, strong electrical troubleshooting knowledge, Heavy equipment experience, and strong construction abilities are the skills you must posses. 

Service One Electric Sign -  5716 Preston Ave. Livermore CA 94551.   

Direct Supervisor Owner:   Paul Norton    Tel: 925-961-9700

Timeline:  8/2006 to 8/2007  started a new contract with KBR.

I have had a Commercial Drivers License since 1992.

Class - A with Doubles/Triples & Hazmat/Tanker endorsements.  Perfect Driving Record.

Truck combinations I have experience with: Vans, Reefers, Flatbeds, Tankers, and Belly Dumps.

Millitary trucks:  Freightliner 915 - 916, PLS, LHS, and LMTV.

The picture above is a Linde 45ton capacity container handler.

I am at professional level on the following equipment:

Rough Terrain Container Handlers or (RTCH)- Linde 45 ton, and Military Kalmar RT-240.  

Forklifts: Military TRAM 10k, Genie 10k extended boom, Military and civilian Skytrak 10k extended boom, JLG 4k to 10k Extended boom.  Volvo 30k

Grove Crane  -  30ton

Elliott 85ft crane/bucket truck.  Garland 76ft crane/bucket truck.  Wilkie 55ft ladder truck.  Sponko 55ft ladder truck. 

I am very proficient with all common hand tools and electrical tools.

Heavy Vehicle Operator on LOGCAP IV Contract. This photo shows a Military RTCH or Kalmar RT-240 container handler.  My duties at DynCorp included operation of this incredible piece of heavy equipment.  I am at a professional level with this RTCH, and the Linde 45ton.

Other duties at DynCorp included, Forklift operation from 10k to 30k, 40ft flatbed operater, and operation of various military vehicles including LMTV's, PLS, LHS, and Skytrak 10k forklift.

Also responsible for office work including, employee files, foreign national badging, TMR scheduling for 6 cranes, 5 trucks, 10 forklifts, and 5 RTCH's.  With the LOGCAP project we were responsible for movement of all kinds of equipment, supplies, and containers for all branches of the U.S. military, as well as NATO Military units, and contractors.  A very busy and interesting environment based also in Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan.

DynCorp International  FZ  - 13500 Heritage Parkway    Fort Worth, TX  76177       (817) 224-1385

Direct Supervisor:  Jay Coleman - Transportation Manager  Kandahar AFG.

Timeline:  8/2010 to 9/2011  finished contract and got hired with SAIC.