When I was in my teens I watched my dad, a passionate inventor and maker, struggle — and fail — to get his groundbreaking patent for the cordless telephone realized. Ever since, I've been determined to help makers like my dad figure out ways to get things built in the real world. Though I didn't realize it at the time, even my earliest jobs sprang from that fascination, and I've spent 39 years and counting learning everything I can about machine tools and CNC, and how to connect people and companies with the best tools for the job. Working hands-on in a shop for 7 years as I earned my degree from Indiana University honed my love of manufacturing, and my appreciation for quality and efficiency. As I moved into customer service and management for international machine tool builders and suppliers, I took on responsibilities for field service engineers’ training, parts supply chain, and logistics for importing and installs. Every day I try to expand my industry knowledge. By the time I founded my own company, Blackout Equipment LLC, I had built sales and C-suite experience with an extensive range of CNC metalworking machine tools for both chip and fabrication, keyseating and slotting machines, sawing and cutting tools, and large scale 3D printers. I am dedicated to finding my clients the right tools for the right price, and to providing outstanding support and service.Blackout Equipment offers top-of-class international machine tools makers. Our vertical and horizontal bandsaw are American Made by WELLSAW and WF WELLS from Michigan. Our lines include several Italian builders: CYLASER flat & tube lasers, PEDRAZOLLI tube forming & circular sawing equipment, and large gantry style 5 axis milling and 3D printing by BRETON. We feature a Spanish builder: MECO a maker of CNC keyseaters, bottle mold polishing and incremental sheet forming technology & PINACHO lathes. Also we sell several Taiwanese builders SHARP, ACRA, WILLIS, and KENT/KGK. I also offer Turkish saws, made by KARMETAL, and bending rolls made by AKYAPAK. Finally, I sell quality construction equipment attachments: KEMROC chain and drum cutters, as well as new and rebuilt hydraulic hammers (breakers) & parts made for AYA, Allied, Rammer, EPIROC (Atlas Copco), and CAT breakers.I devote time to fostering manufacturing education at high school and college levels and encouraging students to learn about manufacturing careers, mainly through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers-Chicagoland; I also serve on several industry professional organizations.
Listed skills include Machining, Machine Tools, Automation, Process Improvement, and 21 others.