We’re a small team with big ideas and a passion for doing things well.

MEET THE TEAM!

Collage of various scenes from a car and racing event including a group of people in front of fire trucks, a yellow vintage pickup truck with two men sitting inside, three women standing in front of a blue event banner, a meeting inside a garage, a group photo with trophies, individuals working on engines and cars, and close-up shots of engine components and racing equipment.

Meet the Nichols Paint & Fab Crew.

Get to know the people behind Nichols Paint & Fab in Watseka, Illinois. From fabrication and final assembly to parts, project coordination, and customer support, our crew brings a range of skills to every custom automotive project.

A man with a long beard wearing a black baseball cap and black t-shirt sitting at a table in a room with dark-colored walls and wall art.

Justin Nichols

Justin Nichols has already accomplished what many fabricators and builders around the world seek from their careers.  

He continues to run his business where he designs and fabricates some of the most appealing hot rods and custom motorcycles to come out of the state of Illinois.  Justin has put together quite the 'A' Team to work towards success. 

A woman with long curly hair wearing a black T-shirt and ripped jeans is handling a large tire in an outdoor parking lot with several vehicles and green trees in the background.

Meet Maegan Ashline! You probably all know her from Wrench’d on MotorTrend. Maegan has been at Nichols Paint and Fab since 2015. She specializes in CNC designing, runs the CNC table, metal fabrication, and bead rolling. Maegan also runs some of the behind the scenes of the business. Maegan helps make everything at Nichols Paint and Fab happen! Her favorite car would be a 54’ Bel Air. 

maegan ashline

Final assembly

A man with glasses and a goatee standing in a workshop, wearing a black T-shirt and holding a cloth.

Since May 2022, Russ Purnell Jr. has been an essential part of our team, bringing old-school grit and serious skill to everything he touches. He specializes in wiring, performance, and assembly—and there’s not much he can’t fix or fine-tune.

With a sharp eye for detail, he thrives on working with unique, one-of-a-kind rides. Every car that rolls into the shop gets his full attention.

His favorite car is a 69’ GTO. 

Russ Purnell Jr.

A man in a black T-shirt and camouflage pants standing in an industrial workshop, smiling, with machinery and tools around him.

Since joining the team in 2020, Cory German has become one of our most versatile and dedicated crew members. Whether he's fabricating custom parts, handling complex assembly work, or representing the shop at shows, Cory always brings a can-do attitude and serious skill to the table.

He’s the kind of team player who jumps in wherever he’s needed—and does it all with pride and precision!

His favorite car is a 70' Nova.

cory german

fab shop

A man with a beard wearing a black t-shirt, beige pants, and a tan cap standing next to a red classic convertible car inside a garage or workshop.

Meet Darrin Jensen! Darrin has been working in the fab shop for some time now and is our Fab Shop Manager. With extensive automotive knowledge and strong organizational skills, Darrin helps streamline communication, keep projects on track, and ensure the fab shop runs efficiently—all while still staying hands-on as a fabricator.

We’re excited to have him as a key part of our team!

His favorite car is a 55’ Chevy

darrin jensen

paint/body shop

Man standing inside a workshop in front of a red Snap-on banner and a large pipe sculpture mounted on the wall.

Meet Jason Kemp! Jason joined us at the beginning of May 2025 and is now leading the charge as our Paint Shop Manager and primary painter. With years of experience behind the gun,

Jason brings an incredible eye for detail, color, and finish that fits right in with the high standards we’re known for. From classic restorations to custom builds, he's the guy making sure every ride leaves the shop looking show-ready.

His favorite car is a 57’ Chevy.

jason kemp

merch department

A woman smiling and standing in front of a custom lime green race truck at an auto show.

Meet Taylor Rogers, the vibrant voice behind Nichols Paint and Fab’s social presence since August 2022. From capturing nearly every photo and video you see online to crafting engaging posts, Taylor keeps fans connected and in the loop.

She also serves as the first point of contact for new projects, setting up initial plans and keeping everything organized from the start. In addition, Taylor leads the merch department, where her sharp eye for detail ensures every product reflects the Nichols brand.

Her favorite car is a 69’ Camaro.

taylor rogers

rc/parts department

A man with a long beard and tattoos on his arms and legs is standing outside in front of a reflective window and a large rock with a green logo on it. He is wearing a gray cap, glasses, a black T-shirt, and black shorts.

Meet Andrew Finke — the go-to expert for everything RC and performance parts at Nichols Paint and Fab. With deep knowledge and hands-on experience, Andrew keeps our remote control builds running smooth and manages the parts that keep our projects firing on all cylinders.

A valuable member of the team, Andrew’s passion for precision and performance is clear in everything he does.

His favorite car is a 65’ Mustang 2+2 Fastback.

andrew finke

join our team!