16 • THE GRIFFON • Summer 2020
‘Fanelli Finesse’ Leads to Dream Job By Maj. Michelle Lunato 98th Training Division Public Affairs Officer
People who are passionate about cars undoubtedly know the MotorTrend Television show, Bitchin’ Rides. Capt. Frank Fanelli of the 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training) certainly did as a “self-taught hot rod builder and pinstriper” on YouTube. In fact, the U.S. Army Reserve Soldier watched the show often as a form of education, he just never dreamed he’d work there. But after competing in a televised special, Bitchin’ Boot Camp, Fanelli won just that—a job at Kindig-it Design in Salt Lake City, Utah. “I used to watch the show when I was younger, envious of what they were doing and wanting to be a part of that, and now I actually work there and I am a part of that crew. It’s kind of surreal,” said Fanelli, a Kendall, New York resident who was recently the company commander of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 389th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, in Mattydale, New York. Fanelli’s surprise job was indeed just that. Out of the blue, he received a phone call from someone who had seen his YouTube page, Fanelli Restorations, and suggested that he apply to be on the upcoming special, Bitchin’ Boot Camp, a televised building competition where 12 highly skilled fabricators compete for a chance to join the
U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Frank Fanelli (center right), a Kendall, New York resident who is the commander for Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 389th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training), stands with his family and Dave Kindig (center), owner, after winning the Motor Trend Television building competition, Bitchin’ Boot Camp. The prize for winning the overall competition was a job offer at Kindig-it Design in Salt Lake City, Utah. Courtesy photo
Kindig-it Design crew. Fanelli, being very familiar with the main show, Bitchin’ Rides, said
Capt. Frank Fanelli (center) stands with Kevin ‘Kevdogg’ Schiele (left), shop foreman, and Dave Kindig (right), owner, after winning the Motor Trend Television building competition, Bitchin’ Boot Camp. The prize for winning the competition was a job offer at Kindig-it Design in Salt Lake City, Utah. Fanelli, a Kendall, New York resident, is a U.S. Army Reserve commander for Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 389th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training). Courtesy photo
