Wednesday, October 16, 2013
There is a certain type of person in this world that just has the knack for repair and maintenance; and there are few limits to what they can accomplish when you combine that natural ability with education, experience and extensive training, and certification. For the new Industrial Technology faculty member, David Villicana, it just came naturally.
David grew up in Ridgecrest and Trona and attended the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Phoenix, Arizona, after graduating from high school. He earned a degree in Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration from UTI and started out working for a large apartment complex maintenance management company making sure buildings were kept safe and in good repair. In 2003 he returned to the Indian Wells Valley and took a job with a contractor working at Searles Valley Minerals. The skilled tradesman was picked up by the plant and completed their Maintenance Training Program while taking welding classes at Cerro Coso. Upon completion of the program, he served as a millwright/metal fabricator installing, maintaining, and repairing industrial machinery and mechanical equipment by interpreting drawings, performing layouts, fabricating, and assembling parts until they are in perfect working order.
David says he never set out to teach the trade, but discovered after teaching two welding classes that he really enjoys watching students master a trade that will impact their future. "It's exciting to be a part of furthering someone else's future," he said. David and his wife Rene have two children: David Jr. (7) and Caleb (4). In his free time he enjoys golf and spending time with his family hiking and camping. WELCOME David!
For further information, please contact Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260