EMERGING LEADERS

2018 Emerging Leaders

Production Machining 2018 Emerging Leaders

Young professionals are a vital asset to the precision machined parts industry, and it is important to acknowledge those who are making strides toward shaping the industry’s future. Production Machining is recognizing our industry’s young talent who were nominated by their peers through our new Emerging Leaders program.

Emerging Leader Nate Ruhenkamp is Devoted to the Development of American Manufacturing

“Nate’s passion for the growth and development of American manufacturing and the machining industry is refreshing and infectious.”

Emerging Leader Andrew Prestigiacomo Contributes to Company Growth

Andrew’s aspirations are to help make GPI one of the largest machining suppliers in the U.S. and create hundreds of new jobs.

Emerging Leader Ryan Ervin Strives to Modernize Sales Tactics

Modernizing sales processes and using technology to improve simple sales tasks is important to Ryan. Therefore, he stays abreast of the latest technology by being an active member of industry associations.

Emerging Leader Janie Hughes Works to Bridge the Industry’s Generational Gap

Meet Janie Hughes, quality specialist at Horn USA. She has been nominated and chosen as one of Production Machining’s 2018 Emerging Leaders—a young professional making strides as a leader in the industry.

Emerging Leader Aaron Wiegel Pushes for Next Gen Workforce Development

Aaron has developed training programs for the next generation workforce for manufacturing and has been an ambassador for manufacturing to students interested in a trade.

Emerging Leader Justin Pluff Passes on Industry Knowledge to Promote Precision Machining

Justin helped transition Marshall Manufacturing from a screw machine shop to a CNC Swiss facility, doubling the company’s number of Swiss machines, while also being a trainer and mentor to many of his co-workers.

Emerging Leader Diana Peters Advocates for Women in Manufacturing

Since Symbol's emergence in 2005, Diana's persistence has helped place thousands of Symbol's graduates, including women, into high paying, high demand jobs and has expanded the course curriculum to better serve the manufacturing industry.

Emerging Leader Kyle Detterbeck Climbs from Shop Floor to V.P.

Kyle joined the family business, Lester Detterbeck Enterprises Ltd., in 2008 and eventually worked his way up from the shop floor to the front office, in short order.

Emerging Leaders Series: Parrish Castor, Director of Quality and Technology, DaCruz Manufacturing

Although Parrish Castor’s background includes a degree in criminal justice, a brief stint playing minor league baseball and then working as an underwriter, he was destined for a career in manufacturing.

Emerging Leader Jonathon Wilyat Shares Passion for CMM Programming

“Jonathon picked up the CMM quickly and in no time was showing his coworkers features within the software that they never knew existed.”

Manuel Merkt, President and COO, Hermle Machine Co.

Manuel was once a young factory worker in Germany who navigated his way to where he is today—the president and COO of an international manufacturing company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Emerging Leader Andres Barajas, Journeyman, CNC Machinist Programmer, Micron Manufacturing Co.

For Andres, manufacturing has influenced his life in a very positive way. Andres began working at Micron Manufacturing Co. in 2007 to first overcome many challenges he faced and to be a good role model for his brother.

Emerging Leader Derek Briggs, Swiss Product Manager, Tsugami/Rem Sales

Derek researches and implements new technologies that integrate with Tsugami machines and improve the customer experience. He can either be found helping peers on the showroom floor and teaching training classes or traveling domestically and internationally for his job.