COLTi : Meet the Team ........

[Suzzie Belcher]

Hi All,

I'd like to introduce you to another Safe Engineer who is part of the COLTi Team, with many years within the trade, Ian David Lewis, I'll hand over to Ian now:

My name is Ian and I am 54 and have been a Locksmith and Safe Engineer since 1967 when I started a 5 year apprenticeship with the then Chubb and sons Lock and Safe Co. Ltd.
I have been a self employed Mobile Locksmith and Safe engineer based in Tavistock, Devon since 1997.
My hobbies are Brewing and photography, but I have been unable to spend much time on either since self employment.
Now spend time practicing NDE techniques in spare time.

[Cliff Forrester]

It is a great honour to be invited to assist on this forum as a team member.

I have been a professional locksmith since 1969 but have been interested in locks and keys since 1964 when I was 13.

I have worked in Melbourne, Brisbane and Mt Isa for mostly large companies and have mainly been in operational managerial positions. I had my own electronic access and CCTV company for three years.

I was the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia’s National Training Manager and also had a ten year period with the Queensland Government as the locksmith apprentice trainer, and then Associate Director of one of the Technical and Further Education Institutes in Brisbane

In December 2004, I was offered the position of General Manager at J Larsen Pty Ltd and after a few hours of thinking it over, I realised I was happier with locksmithing in my veins than attending endless meetings and seminars with Government Departments.

I have been back at J Larsen Pty Ltd for the last three and a half years and whilst I am working much harder, longer hours and for less money, I am enjoying my days more.

I look forwarded to participating as part of the Team. I trust my long and varied experience will enable me to pass on many things that can benefit others.

[Dean Nickel, CJIL, CPL]

Hi, I am a locksmith from the Seattle area of the beautiful Pacific Northwest USA. I have been a locksmith since 1989. I have also been an instructor in the craft since 1994. I have tried to give back to the craft that has given me so much.

My main focus has been General Locksmithing and Master keying. I have added access control, CCTV and Alarms to the list as I am now an apprentice electrician.

I am a published author for a service manual on Corbin Russwin Unit locks made between 1963 and today. I am writing one on the older Unit locks made between 1899 and 1963. I have authored several articles like one on bump keys found on www.thelockman.com that is accessible to locksmiths.

I have been working on my certifications with ALOA and ILA. I have reached CPL Certified Professional Locksmith with ALOA and CJIL Certified Journeyman Institutional Locksmith with ILA.

Dean Nickel, CJIL, CPL