Locksmith gets national certification

Being a locksmith offers plenty of challenges because of the variety of locks, but it is all in a day's work for Tim Mangum.

Mangum, who owns Mangum Locksmith Service, travels throughout Glenn County and just gained the status of Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL) from the Associated Locksmiths of America.

To achieve the honor, Mangum had to go to Reno, Nev., and take a complicated test in the field he said was difficult to complete. He learned of the cerfication three weeks ago.

"I'm very excited," he said. "It is more of a personal goal for me - like completing the first level of college education. I am proud to attain it."

Associated Locksmiths of America is an internationally recognized organization for locksmiths that has 8,000 members worldwide and is dedicated to improving the craft through testing, education and performance, group officials said. It is based in Dallas.

Mangum became a certified locksmith in 1992 after starting training in1990. He started his own business in December 1997.

Mangum added he is the only full-service locksmith in the county to have a van and travel throughout the area. He said he does automotive locks, safes, commercial buildings and homes among other specialties.

"I do everything, including antique cars," Mangum said.

He used to do seasonal jobs but decided he wanted a trade that offered variety, Mangum said, so he chose locksmithing.

It turned into a good decision, because "I've been able to make a living all these years."

Unlocking cars, figuring out safe combinations and repairing botched jobs all present their own challenges, he said.

"I am a problem solver," Mangum added. "I try to figure out what went wrong in order to solve the problem."

Sometimes he has to modify things to make them work, he said, as he fixed a deadbolt lock at a Willows residence Monday.

Contracts with local banks and manufacturers have kept him busy in this tough economy.

The fourth-generation Glenn County resident lives in Orland with his wife and four teenagers, but said he has relatives in both Willows and Orland and has ties to several longtime families.

As for his work, Mangum said he stocks most of the hardware and keys he needs in his van to be able to complete most jobs on the spot.

His goal is to become a Certified Master Locksmith, but that will require more study and time, he said.

In the meantime, he urges consumers to only deal with licensed locksmiths who are qualified to work on a variety of locks, because there are phony locksmiths around who have caused problems with shoddy workmanship.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.