David Gray

I attended Universal Technical Institute in Arizona before beginning my career as a professional mechanic. Before that was summers spent on family farms performing all types of farm labor: fencing, hand lines, harvest, vehicle/tractor repair. I’ve worked for over 10 years as a mechanic with varying levels of resources and equipment available. The past 5 years has been primarily field-based with only the resources on my service truck with which to diagnose and repair equipment. UTI reinforced my mechanical knowledge and allowed me to more easily pursue a career in equipment repair, which I have been in since 2006. At Quincy Foods, the work was predominantly in the shop, so resources and equipment were plentiful, and there was typically time and the desire from management to do full and correct repairs. During harvest, we’d mobilize to the field where quick repairs were the order of the day; there wasn’t time to wait for parts or to do full or complete repairs. After harvest, work would return to the shop to correct the field repairs. My current position is nearly entirely field-based, but instead of sharing a service truck with a full crew, I have my own. Repairs are typically time-sensitive and need to be done right the first time and quickly for the customer’s benefit. I often work alone, relying on only my experience and knowledge. Myself and other field techs will sometimes work together on larger or difficult repairs. In the field, I’m responsible for prioritizing my own work and making decisions without supervision. I have good attention to detail, and a strong work ethic strengthened by farming, self reliance, and personal drive. I work well in a team, as either a leader or subordinate; I recognize that people have different backgrounds and enjoy working with individual personal strengths and incorporating them into a group dynamic solution. Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to your response. Respectfully, David J. Gray