Ryan Key

Owner & Field Service Technician | FAFO Petro Services L.L.C.
1787 W 3rd St, Siler City, NC 27344 | (972) 877-1848
rkey20069@gmail.com · fafopetro@gmail.com · rkey@fafopetro.com

Professional Summary

Dynamic, second-generation Field Service Technician with 25+ years of specialized experience in petroleum service technology. Expertise spans fuel dispensers, networked payment platforms, ATG systems, and high-voltage power integration. Proven track record in rapid-response diagnostics, PCI-DSS–compliant EMV installations, and multi-state operations. Entrepreneurial founder who leverages AI-driven workflows to optimize troubleshooting and documentation.

Professional Experience

Owner & Field Service Technician

FAFO Petro Services L.L.C. · Siler City, NC | Apr 2025 – Present

• Founded and Manage all business functions: client acquisition, scheduling, P&L management, and vendor relations.

• Execute installations, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs on fuel dispensers, CRINDs, ATG systems, and POS networks.

• Develop SOPs and training modules to ensure safety compliance and service consistency.

• Integrate AI-driven diagnostics and documentation tools to reduce troubleshooting time and improve report accuracy.

Lead Field Service Technician

Guardian Fueling Technologies · Kernersville, NC | Feb 2022 – May 2025 & Jun 2017 – Dec 2019

• Installed, calibrated, and serviced Gilbarco FlexPay v1/2/4/6 dispensers, COIP conversions, Eclipse, and Encore models.

• Diagnosed and resolved POS and network issues on Gilbarco Passport (Edge) and Verifone Commander, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz.

• Maintained Veeder-Root TLS-250/3XX/450, Franklin Fueling EVO series, and Red Jacket STPs.

• Managed PCI-DSS–compliant EMV PIN-pad installations and maintained IVR and service-portal documentation.

Lead Field Service Technician

Harper Maintenance · Dallas, TX | Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

• Supported C-Store fleets with network configurations, backup-power system testing, and asset inventories.

• Coordinated security updates on payment devices in collaboration with corporate IT teams.

Lead Field Service Technician

Jones & Frank Petroleum (JFPetro) · Raleigh, NC & Various | Jan 2019 – Dec 2021 & Jan 2016 – May 2017

• Deployed and maintained Verifone Commander E, Sapphire, Ruby2, and C-Site management systems.

• Performed pump-loop and CRIND-loop repairs, including D-Box board replacements to minimize downtime.

Lead Field Service Technician

Quik Chek · Troy, NC (site sold) | 2014 – 2016

• Managed high-volume dispenser installations, calibrations, and flow-rate verifications.

• Trained and mentored junior technicians.

Owner & Lead Technician

Automated Controls Equipment (ACE) · 3202 Hines Chapel Rd, McLeansville, NC 27407 | Apr 2011 – Dec 2014

• Managed all operations, client relations, and technical staff for the family-owned business.

• Specialized in UST compliance systems and DEF/Gilbarco Hi-Flo dispenser installations.

Operations Manager & Lead Field Technician

Automated Controls Equipment (ACE) · 3202 Hines Chapel Rd, McLeansville, NC 27407 | Jan 2008 – Mar 2011

• Oversaw field operations, technician scheduling, and large-scale equipment deployments.

Field Technician & Electrical Specialist

ACE & B&C Electric · McLeansville, NC area | 2000 – 2008

• Advanced from apprentice to technician, installing UST compliance and preventive maintenance systems.

• Performed conduit rough-ins and explosion-proof installations for Class I, Div 1 environments at military sites.

Core Competencies

• Fuel Dispensing & POS Systems (Gilbarco, Verifone, NCR, Wayne, Tokheim, Bennett)

• Tank Monitoring & STP Equipment (Veeder-Root, Franklin Fueling, Red Jacket, Pneumercator)

• Electrical Integration & Explosion-Proof Installations (Class I Div 1)

• Compliance & Networking (PCI-DSS, EMV, MNSP Networking, UST State Calibrations)

• AI & Automation (Workflow Optimization, Python & PowerShell Scripting)

Certifications

(Held under prior employment; verification available upon request)

• Gilbarco: FlexPay (v1/2/4/6), COIP, Passport & Passport Commander E, Insite360, Jupiter, Edge

• Verifone: Commander & Commander E, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Lift, UX300

• PAM: 1000, 5000

• Veeder-Root: TLS-3XX, TLS-450 & 4XX, Carbon Canister, ATG Expert

• Red Jacket: Mechanical Line Leak, DEF Pump, STP Troubleshooting

• Franklin Fueling: EVO series, TS-100X Probes

• Gasboy: Atlas, Topkat, FleetKey/FuelPoint, Islander

• Pneumercator: TMS 2000/3000

• PetroVend: FSC3000, Pedestal Systems

• Accumera: Certified Technician

AI & Technical Projects

• Custom built AI workstation (Intel i9-14900K, 64GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 4090) for local LLM and image/video generation

• Developed automation scripts with GitHub Copilot, Python, and PowerShell to streamline reporting and inventory tasks

• Designed interactive web widgets for on-site troubleshooting guidance and real-time fuel-price tickers via API integration

Summary of Qualifications

Second-generation petroleum industry expert with 25+ years of technical leadership and entrepreneur-driven innovation. Proven ability to ensure uptime, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction, while championing AI integration to transform industry workflows.