Nick

Paint & Varnish Apprentice

Nick was born and raised in Boyne City, just half a mile from Van Dam’s 16-Acre property. After graduating from Boyne City High School, he spent a year at Northern Michigan University before earning an Associate of Applied Sciences in Criminal Justice from North Central Michigan College. He is also a Certified Zip Line Guide through the Association of Challenge Course Technologies. Nick has enjoyed learning the Van Dam Paint & Varnish craft, especially working on varnish projects. The precision and patience required to achieve the perfect finish make the process both challenging and rewarding.

Nick married his wife in 2021, and in 2023, they welcomed their daughter. His family also includes two dogs—Maize, a 2-year-old black lab, and Challie, an 11-year-old border collie-lab mix.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors—camping, fishing, and hiking are some of his favorite activities. He also loves cooking and trying out new recipes.

• Born and raised: Boyne City, Michigan
• Graduated: North Central Michigan College- Associate in Criminal Justice
• Favorite Fundamental: #1: Practice continuous improvement every day, all day. He believes there is always room to grow and improve in all aspects of life, and that mindset keeps things interesting.
• Best thing about working at Van Dam: For Nick, it’s the culture and the people. Everyone takes pride in their work, and he is inspired to be part of such a dedicated team. Plus, the boats are pretty cool too.