Emerging Leader Jim Preston Jr. Gives Back to the Industry and Community

As a fourth-generation machining industry family member, Jim Preston Jr. has a passion and energy for the industry. He has worked his way up as co-owner and vice president of Meier Screw Products since he began his career there 13 years ago. He is responsible for the shop’s upgrade from Brown & Sharpes to faster CNC Swiss machines, HMCs and VMCs in only a few years. The company has also become paperless thanks to Jim.

“Working in a small shop with 10 employees, ‘Junior’ quickly assumed leadership in many areas,” according to his father and nominator, Jim Preston. “For example, he has become safety coordinator, ISO management representative, IT administration, ERP programmer (his college degree is in computer science), UAW negotiator (we are a union shop in a right-to-work state), job/machine scheduler, material and tooling purchaser, and CAD/CAM programmer.”

Jim’s family roots aren’t only in the business, but in the PMPA as well. He follows three uncles and a grandfather who were members of PMPA, where Jim is currently on the board of directors. He has also served on the PMPA information technology committee and is a founding member of the association’s NextGen committee.

Jim finds great satisfaction in giving back to his community, as well, and always encourages others to do the same. He volunteers at his church’s warming center for the homeless, he mentors/coaches his son's grade school robotics team as well his son’s Boy Scout pack.

To nominate an Emerging Leader for our 2019 awards, visit productionmachining.com/forms/emergingleaders.

To learn more about the 2018 Emerging Leader winners, click here.