Verdel Ratliff Jr. known as VJ by family and friends was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut. In 2002 he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina settling in Matthews, NC with his family. Verdel worked in many different fields and industries over the years. In 2005 he started in the Carpentry Program at Central Piedmont Community College at the Harper Campus. He graduated from CPCC with a certification in frame carpentry. As a licensed framer he worked for Tradesman International, building the courthouse in uptown Charlotte and the Crate & Barrel in South Park. He also worked for Southern Staircase building and installing top of the line staircases for builders like David Weekly and Pulte Homes. When the housing market took a turn for the worse Verdel found himself back in the classroom at Nascar Technical Institute / Universal Technical Institute Mooresville. He graduated as a Certified Automotive Technician. He took an Automotive Technician position working for Hendrick Buick, GMC, and Cadillac in Cary, NC, and became ASE Certified in Steering and Suspension.

 

After a year he transferred to work for Thompson Buick, GMC, Cadillac in Raleigh, NC. While working in the Automotive industry Verdel obtained his ASE certification in steering and suspension and was only 1 of 3 technicians in the whole southeast that was trained to install specialized wheels and rims on Cadillacs. In 2012 with the death of his mother Verdel and his family moved back to the Charlotte, North Carolina area to be close to his father. Taking a position as a mortgage processor with Suntrust Bank he thought his automotive career was over. Another downturn in the financial industry brought about layoffs that unfortunately ended his career at the bank. Verdel Accepted a position to work the customer service desk at Lifetime Fitness and this is where he met Mike Burke the founder and owner of Sun Stoppers Window Tinting. Verdel worked as an apprentice and loyal employee at Sun Stoppers for 4 years. He moved into management at Sun Stoppers Charlotte on Albemarle Road and after careful consideration and unceasing prayer decided it was time to open his own window tint business.

 

In May of 2017 Verdel founded Heat Shield Window tinting and opened his first store. Vj loves tinting windows and the opportunity it gives him to interact with people. He plans to provide an experience that you cannot find anywhere else and promote the best quality and skill that the automotive, residential, and commercial window tinting industry has to find.