Coastline Equipment is proud to welcome two new graduates of the John Deere Construction & Forestry Technician Training Program to our team. Caleb Martin and Rob Marshall completed the program at Linn Benton Community College in Oregon. We spoke to them about their experience in the program, love for construction, and future with Coastline. Check out their responses below.

1.      Tell us a little about what made you interested in construction.

Caleb: I've always had a passion for heavy machinery and equipment. I spent all my childhood summers in North Dakota working on my family farm. During my senior year of high school, I was given the opportunity to attend a CTE (Career and Technical Education) program. I completed the A/g Diesel Mechanics program through the regional occupational center, which is where I learned my love and passion for heavy equipment can become a very rewarding career field.

Rob: I've been interested in construction since I was a little kid; I still remember digging holes in my yard with Tonka trucks and I was able to find a way later in life to continue digging holes, now it's just bigger toys but the same love for it as a little kid. 

2.      What Coastline branch will you be working at? What excites you most about joining the team there?

Caleb: I will be joining the Coastline Bakersfield Branch. What excites me the most about joining the Bakersfield branch is the team atmosphere. Through my C&F tech journey and internship at the Bakersfield branch, I have learned so much and I love how we are all one big team.

Rob: I will be joining the Jerome branch. I've worked there through the last two summers and absolutely love it. The techs who have been there for years constantly take me under their wing to teach me the tricks of the trade and have never turned me away when I have a question.

3.      What was your favorite moment or the best thing you learned during the C&F Tech Program?

Caleb: This really is a tough question to answer because I have learned so many things through the program, but I would have to say my favorite moment was during engines class when I successfully rebuilt a 6v92 Detroit. I've always loved the old Detriots and enjoyed learning about the old school technology. It was my proudest moment because I took 3 boxes full of miscellaneous parts and made a running engine out of them. It took a lot of book reading but was very rewarding!

Rob: The best thing I have learned through my time in the program is there are several different ways of looking at an issue, and a plethora of knowledge I had no idea existed.

4.      Tell us a fun fact about you, or what you like to do in your free time!

Caleb: I love to ride dirt bikes in my free time, and I have a huge passion for motocross, fishing, and hunting.

Rob: In my free time I like to go golfing with my dad and spend time with family and friends.

Our Bakersfield and Jerome branches are very lucky to have these two self-starters joining their teams, and we are so excited to welcome them into the wider Coastline family!

If you know someone who may be a good candidate for the C&F Tech Program themselves, click here to learn more and apply.