Daniel Koen
I'm a hands-on shift leader in Duluth, Georgia and an IUPAT apprentice painter, with a background in warehouse operations. I run clean, organized, high-volume work — and I write about what work, training, and 30 years of living have taught me.
What I'm writing about
I'm learning to put my thoughts into words — about the work, the training, and the life behind both. I write to think, and to start conversations. First pieces are in the works.
Looking Back
Lessons from 30 years of living — what I'd do differently, and the deep thoughts I keep coming back to.
First piece in the worksWork Lessons
Short, practical pieces from the floor — leading shifts, running a clean close, training new hires.
First piece in the worksTraining Log
Notes from my IUPAT apprenticeship and training — new skills, beginner mistakes, lessons as I learn them.
First piece in the worksThree kinds of work, one standard
Across all three: team training, production quality, safety, and keeping high-volume work moving. Full history is on my Work page.
Skilled Trades & Construction
- Surface prep & coatings
- Sandblasting
- Spray / brush / roller application
- Hand & power tools
- Ladders & scaffolding
- Lead-safe practices
Restaurant Leadership
- Shift leadership
- Training & coaching
- POS & cash handling
- Food safety
- Opening / closing
- Drive-thru operations
Warehouse & Operations
- RF scanning
- Sortation & conveyors
- Picking & packing
- Palletizing & pallet jacks
- Quality inspection
- Inventory counts
Experience at a glance
Shift Leader · Moe's Southwest Grill
Hands-on shift leader supervising 2–3 crew members; crew out 20–30 minutes after the 10 p.m. close. Previously Shift Leader at Moe's in Nashville, TN — July to September 2026.
Apprentice Painter · Alabama Painting, GM Assembly Plant
Dispatched through IUPAT Local 456 for industrial painting during a scheduled plant shutdown and subsequent plant work.
Assistant Manager · Wendy's
Cut drive-thru service time by ~20 seconds; shortened post-close from ~2 hours to 45–80 minutes.
Fence Installer · Sunbelt Rentals
Temporary fencing for commercial, construction, and event projects in 2–3 person field crews.
Warehouse Associate · Under Armour & Lightning Source / Ingram
Conveyor sortation and RF scanning at 80–160 boxes/hr; book scanning and pick-and-pack at 60–80 books/hr.
Credentials
The short version
Alabama raised, Nashville tested, now based in Duluth, Georgia. I lead from the floor — working the stations alongside my crew, coaching as we go, and closing clean. More about me →
Get in touch
Based in Duluth, Georgia. The fastest way to reach me is email — I read and reply personally.