AJAC Instructors

Andrew comes to AJAC with 28 years of experience as a mechanical engineer with an extensive background in design and project engineering experience. He graduated from Washington State University in 1994 with a Bachelors of Science and Mechanical Engineering. That same year, he was hired by K&N Electric Motors in Spokane, Washington as a mechanical engineer and machinist, where he was responsible for the design and construction of the company’s new overhead cranes as well as custom industrial and hydroelectric equipment within the facility.

From 1998-2013 Andrew worked at Coffman Engineers, Inc as a Senior Mechanical Engineer using SolidWorks and AutoCAD for the design of custom industrial and materials handling equipment. Andrew was also selected as the Coffman Engineer Neil Pearson Award for outstanding employee of the year as voted on by his peers.

Starting in 2014, Andrew was hired by Kaiser Aluminum as a Mechanical Engineer focusing his work on machine design and reliability improvement in an industrial manufacturing setting. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys hitting the slopes at Mt. Spokane where he was a National Ski Patrol Volunteer for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2020.

Bill Collins comes to AJAC with an extensive background in applied mathematics. He graduated from Bellevue Community College in 1997 with an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Mathematics. He then complete the University of Washington’s Bachelor of Science in Computing and Software Systems degree in 2003. Since 2005, Bill has been employed at Bates Technical College teaching a wide-variety of math-related subjects including Pre-Algebra, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Basic Skills Math with IBEST welding program.

Bob comes to AJAC with over 40 years of experience in construction, oil and gas, and the HVAC industries. He worked as a project manager, maintenance supervisor, and has owned and operated several contracting companies, and an electrical contracting firm.

He has a passion to empower students to better themselves, to learn work safety and bring their experiences from the classroom to the workplace with a promise to someday become mentors themselves.

Brian Platt is an Associate Faculty member at Everett Community College in the Advanced Manufacturing department. He teaches classes in precision machining, blueprint reading, and the use of CAD/CAM software in manufacturing. Prior to working at Everett Community College, Brian worked as a trainer at Senior AMT in Arlington. There, he trained machinists in manual and CNC machining skills as well as blueprint reading, inspection, and basic CAD/CAM skills.

Brian developed his skills as a machinist by working for more than a decade in the aerospace industry in the Puget Sound region. Brian grew up in San Antonio, Texas and studied history at Texas Tech University in the Texas panhandle. He moved to Seattle on a whim in 2006.

Chris began his machining career in 1980 as an entry level machinist trainee after completing a one year community college machining program. He was given the opportunity to enroll in a machinist apprenticeship program with the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) by his first employer, who sponsored him through the four years of that program.

Shortly after the completion of his apprenticeship, and in partnership with his first employer, Chris started a new business that developed into a successful manufacturing company supplying multi-axis machined parts to the aerospace industry. The company was closed in 2004 and Chris went to work for RTC Aerospace where he is currently employed as the General Manager of the Fife Division. Chris has extensive experience in every phrase of the manufacturing process and he has a passionate appreciation for the people that work in the manufacturing industry.

I retired from Boeing In September of 2022 after 36 years in the Fabrication Division. I am a 1995 graduate of the Boeing/IAM Apprenticeship program and a former Apprenticeship Committee member. My experience includes various positions as a Machinist, Numerical Control Programmer, Information Technology, Computer Aided Design Subject Matter Expert (CATIA) and Management. I decided to further my education by attending Green River College where I graduated in 2006 with an AAS in Manufacturing Technology.

My passion for education and apprenticeships led me to serve a 2 year term as a member of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) from 2012 to 2014 as well as serving for 9 years as a Board member in the Enumclaw School District.

I’m currently teaching APM101 and APM102 in Enumclaw. I have enjoyed teaching so far and look forward to continuing to reciprocate the knowledge that was imparted to me throughout my career.

I have been teaching at Lindbergh High School in the Renton School District for 19 years, and prior to teaching I worked for s cabinet shop and ran my own cabinetry/custom furniture business for 15 years. At Lindbergh High School I teach Intro to Woodworking, Design, Manufacturing and the Core Plus Aerospace and Construction programs. My emphasis at the school is to prepare students for careers in manufacturing and the building trades. This is my second year teaching the youth AJAC program.

I have been working in the composites industry for 3 years now for Unitech Composites.  I also did two summer internships for Zodiac Aerospace (now Safran) in Newport WA.  I went to college for mechanical engineering at Montana State University and received my degree in 2016.  My current job title is special process engineer, I work with updating existing or integrating new processes into the facility.  Additionally I have been working with material testing and I am currently working on developing a inhouse testing lab.

I started working for AMC Renault in August of 1985. As a Maintenance apprentice. I started as a set up mechanic for the foam line where they injected foam into the Jeep Grand Cherokee dashboard. Within a few months, I was promoted to small tool repair. Where I remained for three years until I was promoted to machine Mechanic.

After three years Chrysler had purchased AMC Renault and we started expanding and built a second plant. I was asked to go there and coordinate the contactors.

Once the second factory was built, I was asked to be the Maintenance Supervisor. where I remained for six years. Until I was promoted to Maintenance Superintendent for the main plant.

Within a few years we had built a third plant and I was promoted to Maintenance Manager of al three plants.

After a couple years My wife and I decided to relocate to be near her family in Ridgefield WA. I took a Maintenance manager position with Letica Plastics in St. Helens Ore. where I remained for three years until moving to Yakima WA. to join Macro plastics as their Maintenance, Engineering and Tooling Manager.

My first exposure to manufacturing started some 40 years ago when I was working by my father’s side. I was 14 years old.  I have had many opportunities during my machining career to work in various positions in the manufacturing field. I have worked as a welder, maintenance machinist, machinist, tool and die maker, CNC programmer, estimator, shop supervisor, production manager and as a machining instructor. I attended Folcroft Vocational Technical school and received a certificate in CNC Applications and Machine Tool Technology.  I have the following certifications,6 Sigma Black Belt, Journeyman Machinist, Private Pilot.

Derek began his machining career as the chip sweeper for Weldco Beales, a producer of logging and excavation equipment. There he was offered the opportunity to run large manual mills. This was the beginning. After Weldco, on to Ideal Machine. Ideal’s specialty is large, 50,000 lbs, castings for the nuclear power industry.

After Ideal, it was Primus International. While there, he was involved with the first runs of several 787 part families. He developed processes for production that would succeed both at home and abroad. Derek then took a position as a CNN Dept. Head, at Hill Aero systems. While there, he scheduled and planned the production of spares parts in aerospace industry. Often producing parts from PCM’s and drawings that were several years old.

He is now a Machinist for Quality Stamping. His role there is to help the company expand into the hard metals field. He looks forward to sharing his experience and love for this trade with the next generation of machinists.

Diane comes to AJAC with over two decades of manufacturing experience, primarily in Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining. Her career started as an industrial mechanic with a focus on machining. In 1997, she graduated with a degree in process engineering in Berlin, Germany, and earned her MBA in 2012.

Diane currently manages advanced waterjet applications at Shape Technologies in addition to her work as an AJAC instructor. Diane loves to teach aerospace apprentices to share her knowledge of manufacturing methods and to help them advance their careers.

Drew comes to AJAC with six years of machining experience and is a recent graduate of AJAC’s four-year Machinist (Aircraft Oriented) apprenticeship program. Prior to becoming a journey-man machinist, his growth throughout the trade can be attributed from experience gained at companies such as Helac Corporation, Skills Inc., and currently at Cadence Aerospace PMW. Drew’s excitement to transfer his knowledge to future machinists will hopefully inspire other like-minded individuals during their journey through apprenticeship.

I’ve been working in the aerospace industry for roughly 10 years working at various companies all up and down the I5 corridor such as Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies and now Boeing. I’ve held positions from machine operator running large 100 plus pallet high production cells to prototype 5 axis work to an NC programmer currently.

On the way through this journey, I earned a 6 month operators certificate through Everett Community College and shortly thereafter, went through AJAC myself as a apprentice, graduating in 2019. I can’t put enough emphasis on how much this organization has helped me grow in my own career and I hope to improve the organization and pass on that growth to future students for years to come.

I worked in the manufacturing/maintenance industry for 20 years. My employer was the US Navy. I am a retired Hull Technician First class. I have worked on everything the navy has, from what planes to subs.

I currently have an AA in general studies. I am currently working on my AAS in mechanical design through Lake Washington Tech.

Jason comes to AJAC with over two decades of manufacturing experience primarily in machining. In 1996, he graduated with an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Precision Machining from Lake Washington Technical Institute. Jason currently works as the machine shop manager at Kymeta Corporation in addition to his work as an AJAC instructor and subject matter expert. He continues to serve as the chairman of the Lake Washington Technical Institute machining program advisory committee and works as a consultant at JasonVice.com.

Jason’s passion for teaching began in his first quarter at AJAC where he taught CNC mill programming. His students developed a deep understanding of his manufacturing techniques and continue to value his love for manufacturing.

Jeff has been teaching for 27 years, with over 22 years with the Seattle Public Schools. He has taught math for AJAC for since 2013. Currently, Jeff teaches Shop Algebra, Geometry/Trigonometry, and basic math skills courses. During his time with AJAC, Jeff has taught at Everett Community College, Glacier Peak High School, Renton Technical College, Bates Technical College, and South Seattle College – Georgetown Campus.

My first machine shop experience was in college taking engine classes, where I learned to use the manual mills and lathes to make custom parts for myself and other students. That’s where the machining bug bit me. After that I worked in multiple industries, with a few machine shops thrown in for good measure. After getting burned out owning a hot rod shop, I got back into manufacturing, and opened my own shop in 2011. My first machine was a home built CNC, that ran production parts 24/7 for a year until I could get my first real machine. From there it has grown exponentially.

I have been a machinist on and off for almost 20 years, with at least 10 years of CNC experience. I also have vast experience in machine maintenance and repair, PLCs, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and most other industrial technologies. I also have multiple welding certifications and vast experience in most welding disciplines. I have been the owner/operator of my own company for the last 10 years, with 13 CNC machines (and growing), a full manual shop, and a full fabrication department.

I have been teaching for AJAC for 5 years now, and I enjoy being able to share the knowledge I have acquired over these last 20 years, since some of it is very specialized and not often seen in the industry on a regular basis.

Jim has worked in the Industrial Maintenance field for 30 years in the Plastic Injection Molding, Packaging Equipment, Aluminum Rolling, and Foundry industries. After spending eight years in the Metal Fabrication trade, Jim attended Spokane Community College and obtained his AAS in Automated Equipment Technology in 1987. In 2010, Jim obtained a BS degree in Technology with Electronics emphasis from Eastern Washington University.

Having a passion for continuing education and the Industrial Maintenance trade, upon retirement in 2017, Jim joined the AJAC staff to mentor a new generation Maintenance Technicians.

As an Master Electrician with 24 years in the industry I’ve held the positions of Foreman, General Foreman, and Project Manager. I returned to my tools, after being a PM, because I missed being in the thick of things. Over the course of my career I’ve worked mostly for electrical contractors but also for companies such as Raytheon in their Polar Services divisions where I worked at Amundsen-Scott Station at the geographic South Pole in Antarctica for a cumulative 18 months, McKinstry Electric and, for the past 8 years, Nucor Steel in West Seattle where I do project design, instruction for new employees and all other things electrical.

My education was hardscrabble. I had to work hard to learn the things I know and didn’t attend trade school to be an electrician. My goal, here, is to create an environment where others don’t have to work quite so hard for that same education.

Marty has worked in the manufacturing industry as a machinist for over 30 years. He graduated from North Idaho College’s 2 year machining tech class in 1986. From then on, Marty has made parts for aerospace, medical, agriculture, mining and oil. Yes, his parts have been to outerspace and back!

Marty has been teaching with AJAC for approximately 6 years including classes such as Engineering Drawings and CNC Lathe Programming. He is also working on a new project with AJAC called MENTORING THE MENTOR.

I have worked in the aircraft maintenance field for 42 years. My career started in the United States Air Force as a fighter aircraft mechanic and a Vietnam veteran.

When I got out of the service, I went to work as a civilian employee at the Depot maintenance, while I attended school at Utah State. I got my A & P license while in Utah. I was the first women in Utah to receive my A & P license and made the local newspaper. After my husband got out of the service, we moved back to Washington where I got a job at a local small aircraft repair shop in Vancouver. I was eventually recruited to work for Horizon Air which was later bought by Alaska Airlines. I have been a lead mechanic for C checks and a Line Maintenance Supervisor for the airline. I was a Supervisor for Bombardier and a Master Mechanic for Aviation Technical Services (ATS). While at ATS, I became a mentor for the young mechanics through structured on-the-job training.

Monique is originally from Oklahoma and has also taught in California and Washington State. She is currently a doctoral candidate and holds a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from American College of Education and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Northeastern State University. Monique holds secondary mathematics teaching certifications in Washington State, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Illinois. She also holds administrator (principal, central office, superintendent) certifications in Washington State, Michigan, and Illinois.

Monique is a daring culturally responsive STEM Leader possessing the “Skill and Will” necessary to lead the brave work and tough conversations around creating equitable access to STEM Education for all learners especially those learners furthest from Educational Justice. Monique is a multi-state certified (former NBCT) Secondary Mathematics Teacher and instructional leader with 30 years of experience in K-12 teaching and administration. She is a Nationally Certified STEM Team Leader.

As a paid consultant, she has been contracted by Nationally Recognized School District to create STEM Project-Based Learning Curriculum Materials. Also, she is a Level 1 Google Certified Teacher. She has extensive experience delivering remote instruction using Zoom, Moodle, Google Classroom, and Canvas. She has served students and teachers in traditional public schools, charter public schools, and private schools.

Monique taught middle school and high school mathematics for 23 years and has served the past 7 years as a high school and middle school assistant principal and elementary principal. Her strengths include facilitating effective professional learning communities, professional development training, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, evidence-based instructional strategies, family and community engagement, supporting early educators, and secondary mathematics instruction.

Robert earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Seattle Pacific University, and then went to work for GTE, and later Verizon, in various capacities as Programmer, Systems Analyst and Systems Engineer. While working for GTE he went back to school and earned a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering from Seattle University.

After retiring from Verizon, Robert began to develop a passion for teaching. He started tutoring high school and college students, and later worked as a Math Tutor at the Everett Community College Tutoring Center. In 2015, Robert was hired to be an AJAC instructor and currently teaches Shop Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry.

Roland has a broad background in automotive machining and has served as a Tool & Die apprentice where he is currently employed by The Boeing Company. He has received an Industrial Maintenance degree from Clover Park Technical College and has spent several years in the maintenance field. Roland enjoying sharing this knowledge of manufacturing concepts and streamlining assembly processes.

Scott has worked for Areva NP  for 25 years working solely in manufacturing. He started working in the machining trade in 1995, and shortly thereafter, received his AAS in machine technology in 1998 while working full time at Areva. Scott currently supervises the Machining and Inspection in the Component Center.

Steve has been working in the trades for 40+ years in the energy, manufacturing, Marine and Aerospace Industries. His career started with Mountain Fuel Supply Co. now Questar. He enrolled in Utah Technical College in Drafting and Machine Shop technique and started a side Tool & Die business at the same time.

After 27 years with Questar, Steve went to Rubber Maid/Levelor for 3.5 years as Senior Project Specialist. He then moved to the Pacific Northwest and worked for Markey Machinery as their Production Manager. For the past 7 years, Steve has worked at Cadence Aerospace – PMW Operations as one of their CNC Retrofit & Repair Techs. Steve has also worked extensively in the Firearms Industry and helped many people build their own airplanes through the EAA “Experimental Aircraft Association”.

I started my career path in a small locksmith shop as the only non-family member to work there in three generations. With encouragement from my employer, I attended Columbia Basin College’s (CBC) 2-year machine technology program and graduated with my AAS degree. After returning to the lock shop and a brief employment at Ti Lite I returned to CBC as a shop assistant to the instructor.

I have now been a Precision Machine Technology instructor at Columbia Basin College for about 6 years, focusing on CNC machine programming, set-up and operation. I have assisted with the Mill Wrights manual milling and lathe training, GLAM (girls learning about manufacturing) for several years and a few local high school introduction to manufacturing summer school classes. I am also an adviser for SkillsUSA and attend the national competition with our students from CBC and a number of Washington State area vocational colleges. I have also been teaching a few of the AJAC CNC introduction and programming classes for 2 years now.

I am a third generation machinist following my father, I have been machining and welding since I was tall enough to stand at a knee-mill. I worked on the pipelines for Marathon most of my professional career, I’ve worked in medical tooling machining parts almost too small to see and have settled down in the education industry. I’ve earned an Engineering degree as well as a operations management degree, I am currently working towards a Masters Degree in Mechatronics at the University of Washington.

Tim comes to AJAC with nearly 20 years of manufacturing experience and over a decade of teaching. He graduated Green River Community College in 1987 with a degree in Pre-Mechanical Engineering. After studying Industrial Technology at Western Washington University, Tim pas spent the last 15 years at Tool Gauge and Machine Works in Tacoma, Washington as the CNC Department Supervisor. In 2015, Tim graduated with a Bachelors of Applied Science in Technical Teaching Education from South Seattle College.

During AJAC’s 2018 Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony, Tim received the 2018 Instructor of the Year award.

Tim is currently semi-retired working as an instructor for the AJAC apprenticeship program. He is a graduate of the Boeing machinist apprentice program and retired from Boeing with 39 years service in 2019. His hobbies include gardening, hiking, camping , fishing and travel. He feels honored to be a part of an apprentices’ path toward becoming a Journeyman.

Tracy comes to AJAC with ten years of experience in Supply Chain and Operations Management. Tracy worked as a Senior Buyer and Planner, Category Manager with several manufacturing industries: Aerospace, Rocket, Pharmaceutical, Robotic, and Telecommunication. Tracy is currently working as a Procurement Manager at the Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) company, headquartered in Bellevue, WA. In this role, Tracy works closely with Corporate Counsels to evaluate contracts, contract negotiation and risk mitigation.

Tracy graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (BSBA), specialized in Supply Chain Management and Economics. Tracy also held a Master of Business Administration from Eastern Washington University, focusing on Global Business and Finance. Tracy is currently pursuing her second MBA, concentrating on Supply Chain and Operations Management from Southern New Hampshire University.