David “Charlie” Fuller of Portage, Mich., has been named the
Motor Age Training/ASE Master L1 Technician of the Year.
Fuller is the automotive technology lab manager at Kalamazoo
Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Mich. He has been a
technician for 32 years, spending the last 12 in his role at
the college. The Master Technician enjoys working in the
bays, but also teaching others the knowledge he has.
“I like the feeling of being able to help others with my
skills and knowledge. More recently, I like being able to
help the next generation of technicians learn a skill so
they can provide for their family and be proud of what they
do,” Fuller says. “ASE gives us a benchmark and standard to
strive for. ASE gives technicians recognition for their
knowledge and hard work. ASE gives the technician a leg-up
when searching for employment.”
That desire and passion helped Fuller earn this
honor.
Fuller attended Portage Central High School, Denver
Automotive and Diesel College and Colorado Aero Tech. He
also has BMW, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Ford factory training,
and from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
“As a kid and still today, I have always liked working with
my hands and fixing things that are broken, from bicycles to
airplanes,” he says.
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“Being an auto tech makes you proficient at many trades.
When a pipefitter, electrician, HVAC tech or mechanical
engineer has car trouble, they call an auto tech,” Fuller
states. “When an auto tech has electrical, plumbing, HVAC or
fabrication issues, we just fix them.”
Fuller and his wife of 28 years Renee, have four children,
Amanda, James, Corey and Gery. They recently lost Corey in
an automobile accident, which Fuller says brought the close
family even closer.
Fuller has coached little league and other sports for his
children as they grew. He’s very active in the high school
wrestling boosters, still helping today. He enjoys
construction and home repair, alternative fuels and energy,
and “moving dirt with my tractor for no reason other than
because I can.”
