As President and CEO of Draftwood Design, I lead a dedicated team specializing in fully bespoke bathroom vanities and one-of-a-kind standalone furniture. Each piece reflects a commitment to quality and personalized design, tailored to fit the unique style and functional needs of our clients. My role encompasses overseeing every facet of the business—from strategic planning and operational management to brand development and customer engagement.I’m responsible for shaping and executing Draftwood Design’s vision and strategic direction, continuously seeking growth opportunities, tracking market trends, and introducing innovative design concepts. With a focus on business development and expansion, I’m committed to strengthening our market presence and driving sustainable revenue growth.

As the Plant Manager at Exotic Metals Forming, I oversee and manage our manufacturing operations in Phoenix, AZ, ensuring efficiency, safety, and compliance with regulations while meeting high aerospace industry standards.I lead daily plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality control, and logistics. My focus is on optimizing production, reducing waste, and enhancing plant efficiency. I manage a diverse team of supervisors, engineers, and production staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.Safety and compliance are critical. I ensure all activities adhere to safety regulations, industry standards, and company policies, promoting a strong safety culture. I oversee quality control processes to ensure our products meet or exceed customer specifications and industry standards, maintaining ISO and AS9100 quality management systems.Financial management is a key part of my role. I analyze financial performance, and identify areas for cost savings and efficiency improvements.Strategic planning is essential for growth and innovation. I collaborate with senior management to develop and execute the plant’s strategic plan, identifying opportunities for growth and technological advancements. I maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring effective communication regarding production schedules, delivery timelines, and quality concerns.With over 15 years of experience in manufacturing management, including 5 years in aerospace leadership, I have a proven track record of successfully managing plant operations and leading large teams. My expertise in manufacturing processes, and quality standards, combined with strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, drives the success and future of our operations at Exotic Metals Forming.

In my role as Plant Operations Manager, I held a direct reporting line to the CEO. My primary responsibilities encompassed the day-to-day oversight of operations and the holistic performance of the business units' Profit and Loss (P&L), with a central emphasis on manufacturing.My commitment centered on the establishment of cohesive cross-functional teams capable of collaborating harmoniously to drive continuous improvement and optimize processes and procedures, meticulously guided by key performance indicators (KPIs). I took the lead in instigating a cultural transformation aimed at enhancing morale and fostering employee retention.Leveraging my skills, I actively sought comprehensive solutions to address complex operational challenges, all in service of our valued customers. A notable facet of my role involved shouldering the entirety of employee-related responsibilities, including recruiting, onboarding, training, and maintaining positive relations, a task made more demanding by the absence of onsite HR support.Additionally, I assumed the role of Production Manager, where my duties encompassed the meticulous planning and organization of production schedules, resource allocation assessments, and adept negotiation with vendors. The buck also stopped with me for creating and upholding the facility's safety, environmental, maintenance, and security programs.

During my tenure as Production Manager at Monaco Tool Company, I held a pivotal role with direct reporting to the Owner/President. In this capacity, I swiftly assumed increasing responsibility, ultimately evolving into the Plant Manager, where I led the facility and its workforce.Under my leadership, our team embarked on a transformative journey, elevating our manufacturing facility to world-class status in technology, efficiency, quality, safety, and customer service. A key driver of this success was the strategic implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles, which formed the bedrock of our operational strategy. I meticulously oversaw manufacturing operations, ensuring that we consistently not only met but exceeded the expectations of both our internal and external customers.Leveraging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), I spearheaded initiatives that focused on employee onboarding and training, leading to a culture of continuous improvement. These initiatives resulted in significant enhancements in production, cost reduction, product quality, and on-time product delivery.A crucial aspect of my role was the management of the business unit's Profit and Loss (P&L), which entailed diligent oversight of cash flow and a key advisory role in budget allocation decisions, contributing to the company's financial stability and growth.

In my capacity as Lead Machinist, I held a pivotal role with a primary focus on driving the enhancement of machining processes and procedures by implementing standardization and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) across all shifts. This strategic move aimed to eradicate the potential for human errors, which had previously incurred substantial costs for the business, tallying hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.As a dedicated machinist, my core responsibility revolved around crafting company prototypes. I specialized in operating a Mori Seiki NT5400 dual spindle Mill/Turn 5-axis lathe, taking charge of all aspects of training and troubleshooting for fellow operators. My repertoire encompassed the execution of precision tasks such as close-tolerance turning, boring, drilling, tapping, milling, and various machining operations, addressing a broad spectrum of diameters and depths. I diligently proved all programs, meticulously devised setups, and crafted jaws for new items.A hallmark of my role was the close collaboration with fellow operators and programmers, working directly from blueprints to optimize machine programming, tooling selections, and setup arrangements. Furthermore, I undertook the responsibility of creating and maintaining an extensive electronic documentation library, comprising over 15 machine procedures, more than 200 setup sheets, and comprehensive maintenance materials.In recognition of my expertise, I was selected for the NT Mechanical Training program in Chicago, further underscoring my dedication to the field and my commitment to ongoing excellence.

In my role as the Senior CNC/Production Lead, I embraced a multifaceted position with a core focus on supervising, training, and troubleshooting for our team of operators. My paramount objective was to cultivate a safe and highly productive work environment for our dedicated workforce of 24 employees.To elevate the standards of our operations, I initiated comprehensive quality training programs and maintained a vigilant watch over the fulfillment of production requirements and goals, ensuring that each operator met these benchmarks. A significant part of my role involved the creation, modification, and resolution of part programs for our CNC machines, vital for the smooth functioning of our equipment.I demonstrated a remarkable range of expertise by not only setting up and operating numerous woodworking machines across various work cells but also by immersing myself in all facets of the mill's operations, from the initial rough work to the finishing touches, encompassing packing and warehouse logistics.A testament to my commitment to excellence, I diligently completed eight courses in Lean Manufacturing, value stream mapping, and setup reduction during my tenure at Whittier. These endeavors showcased my unwavering dedication to process improvement and operational efficiency.In a pivotal development, in 2007, I assumed the role of CNC Specialist, entrusted with the mission to travel overseas and spearhead the setup and coordination of all CNC machines and work cells. I was responsible for the installation, calibration, and meticulous organization of work centers, all geared toward ensuring the effective and efficient production of high-quality products. Furthermore, I played a pivotal role in conducting training and troubleshooting sessions with our Vietnamese operators, fostering their ongoing success and contributing to the overall success of the venture.