One on One
Meet the owner of Nichols Paint and Fab!
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.
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.
Final Assembly
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
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
Kurt VanderMolen has been a key part of the Nichols Paint and Fab crew since April 2022, bringing precision and passion to every project he touches. As one of our skilled performance techs, Kurt handles tuning, assembly, and mechanical work with expert care.
What drives Kurt? Seeing a project through from start to finish and turning it into a flawless, show-quality build. His dedication to detail e
Fab shop
Meet Darrin Jensen! Darrin has been working in the fab shop for a little while now and recently joined the Nichols crew full-time as the new shop foreman!
He has extensive automotive knowledge and great organization skills, ensuring easier communication throughout the shop and making things run more efficiently. All while still being a fabricator. We are happy to have him be a part of our team! Hi
Damon Butler started with Nichols Paint and Fab as a bodywork specialist and has since grown into a key fabricator on the team. Skilled in sheet metal work, fabrication, and assembly, Damon brings precision and craftsmanship to every project he touches.
We’re proud to have Damon as part of our crew — his dedication and talent make a real difference in turning concepts into show-quality builds. His
Meet James Alfrey, our newest fabricator who joined the team at the beginning of April. With a strong eye for detail and a passion for craftsmanship, James brings both skill and dedication to every project he touches. We’re excited to have James on board as we continue building quality, one piece at a time! His favorite car is a 1970 Maverick.
PAINT/BODY SHOP
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 lo
Meet Kale Spence! Kale joined our team at the end of April and brings a strong work ethic and attention to detail to our body shop. He is committed to delivering high-quality results and contributing to the overall excellence of our builds. His favorite car is the 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
He has extensive automotive knowledge and great organization skills, ensuring easier communication throughout
3d department
Dan Williams officially joined the Nichols Paint and Fab team in June 2022, but his connection to the shop — and to Justin — goes back many years. With a deep understanding of both technology and custom design, Dan brings Justin’s boldest visions to life through cutting-edge 3D modeling and programming.
It takes serious innovation to keep up with the creativity flying around the shop — and Dan is
merch department
Meet Taylor Rogers, the vibrant voice behind Nichols Paint and Fab’s social presence since August 2022. Taylor thrives on promoting everything Nichols, crafting engaging social media content that connects our community and keeps fans in the loop.
Taylor also leads the merch department, where her sharp eye for detail ensures every product represents the Nichols brand perfectly. Her favorite car is a
RC department
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