Meet Our Instructors

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chris is a seasoned supply chain and technology integration leader with more than two decades of experience across telecommunications, aerospace, logistics, and data‑center operations. He has held SCM leadership roles with organizations such as Nehemiah Holdings, Bridgeways, AT&T Networks, Midtown Consulting Group, and Interstate Telecommunications, consistently driving measurable operational improvements and multimillion‑dollar savings.

Throughout his career, Chris has led ERP implementations, optimized inventory systems, strengthened vendor strategy, and advanced Lean Six Sigma initiatives across diverse manufacturing and service environments. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and maintains ASCM and Six Sigma Black Belt certifications. Known for blending analytical rigor with practical execution, Chris brings a strategic yet hands‑on approach to every course he teaches, helping students connect real‑world operations with proven continuous improvement methodologies.

After my 7.5 year working as a mobile power technician in the U.S.Army. I sent 40 year in the industrial maintenance / management field. I held several positions over the years. Including instructing electrical maintenance inside of a Iowa prison. 

I started working as a maintenance mechanic for a company call H&M foods in Lampasas Texas. After it closed I moved to a company called Northern Star Potato. While I was there I went to school and received and double manger in Industrial Technology and Business Management. Shortly after graduation. I got an opportunity for a Processing manager roll at Sparboe farms in Iowa. The 5 largest egg processing company in the U.S.. We produce all the eggs for McDonald’s west of the Mississippi. I ran every department as while as maintenance. I worked on machines that have very tight tolerances. And a lot of electrics. Trying to get back to Washington (I’m from North of Spokane) I excepted maintenance supervisor role with Tree Top. I ended my career with Paragon films in Union Gap.

Graduated from Spokane Community College in 1986 with a certification in Industrial Electricity. Built packaging machinery and corrugated paper machinery. 16 years as a field service technician. Worked at RA Hanson Co. where we made equipment for the mining/petroleum industry as well as aerospace. Worked with companies such as Space X and Blue Origins. Semi-retired now and working on a 7000 acre wheat farm. Love teaching students the industrial arts.

I currently have about 10 years of experience in the maintenance/aviation industry. I started my career in the WA state Army National Guard doing maintenance on drones. From there I worked for various government contractors building, flying, and maintaining drones to support overseas operations. After my deployment I worked for Pacific Office Automation as a technician for various IT hardware and network equipment. Then I switched gears and worked at Bobcat of Pasco troubleshooting and repairing heavy machinery such as skid steers, excavators, and tractors. Now I currently run an Excavation business with my father here in Tri Cities, WA. We currently do all of our own machine and vehicle maintenance.

I have worked as a Machinist since I graduated from Perry Technical Institute in 2011. I have worked for a few different companies since I finished school, but most recently I have worked for G.E. Aviation as a 5-axis CNC Lathe operator and at Pexco Aerospace in the Tool & Die shop building tooling & fixtures for the other departments in the plant. Prior to becoming a Machinist, I worked in the automotive industry and as a warehouse forklift operator.

I have been a millwright / Machinist since 1995, From my Start at Intalco as an Apprentice I have worked all over the US and as far north as the north slope at the Point Thompson
Project. My Experience has been very vast, from an fast food to executive chef, to designing and manufacturing tombstones, Working at Haggens as a seafood / multiple department manager to Intalco. all over the spectrum. so Far my schooling has been 4 years as a millwright apprentice, I did a 2 year degree at BTC during my work on the Slope graduating on the deans list with an AA in precision manufacturing, I’m currently back in school, two quarters to go for a BA in operations management, then off to get my masters in Business….will I be done… prob not.

Machining and Welding career started in 1980 with diverse industries such as dye cast and low pressure molds, sheet metal punch press dies, prototype job shops, automotive racing components, custom industrial coffee roasters, aircraft towing equipment, prototype ultra high vacuum components, repair and prototype surgical medical tools, and high pressure abrasive water jet machines. High school graduate and Trade schools attended we’re for welding and machine tool technology.

I have been in the machining industry for 14 years. I have worked at multiple shops in the budget sound area, focusing on aerospace manufacturing, machining, CNC programming. I am a graduate of AJAC apprenticeship program. I have taught for AJAC since 2019. I am highly skilled in machining, programming, inspection, and manufacturing process both in and out of the aerospace industry.

My name is Albert Dunn and I originally hail from Washington DC. I joined the United States Air Force in 1995 and retired in 2016. I have over 28 years of logistics, transportation and supply chain management experience. Upon retirement from Active Duty, I transitioned into the health care career field in which I held several management positions within the supply chain and logistics genre. I’m currently working on the Wing Staff at Fairchild AFB. I hold an AA in logistics and BA in transportation and logistics.

I first started machining when I was 14. I spent my first 4 years learning under two mentors. One was a toolmaker with 60 years experience and the other mentor was the optical engineer who designed and helped make the make the camera for Voyager 1 and 2. I attended Bates Technical College. For the past ten years I’ve been a Machinist, CNC Programmer and Manufacturing Engineer at Aero Precision. I’m grateful to be in a position to teach our next generation of craftsmen and to give back what my mentors bestowed upon me. I believe knowledge is not ours to own, we simply rent it for a time and we are obliged to pass it on.

I have had a variety of jobs in my career. Meat cutter, welder fabricator, IT network manager, manual and CNC machinist, and design prototyper. I taught for 7.5 years at North Idaho College as the advanced manufacturing instructor. I am currently working for Gonzaga University in Spokane Washington in the engineering department helping students understand manufacturing. I am in my 5th year of teaching for AJAC. I hold the ASME senior level GD&T certification and the CSWA – Certified SolidWorks.

My career spans over 35 years of working in industry, technical training, curriculum development, and consulting for organizations seeking to elevate workforce skills and safety standards. I have shared my knowledge with companies such as Apple, SafeBoats, and PNNL

Today, I combine decades of industry experience and insight with a passion for teaching, helping students and professionals thrive in an ever-evolving industrial landscape.
I currently teach Industrial Systems and Manufacturing at Big Bend Community College.

Over the past five years, I have operated Cutts Metals, providing specialized training in welding, machining, OSHA safety, and material sciences, while continuing my role in education. I also write for The Welder magazine, where my “Aluminum Etc.” series explores advanced welding techniques and industry trends.

I hold a Central Washington CTE teaching license and certifications in OSHA, AWS Education, NCCER, Overton Forklift and Material Handling, and Green Building.
My passion is helping students and professionals gain the skills they need to thrive in today’s evolving industrial landscape.

Pauline Stieff is a versatile writer, fundraiser, teacher, coach and strategic communications professional. She has worked at numerous non-profit and private sector companies in Western Washington and on the East Coast, including Boston Medical Center, Tufts University, Lutheran Community Services NW, SAP-Concur, Iron Mountain, Bethany of the Northwest and Housing Hope. Currently, she is the Senior Grant Manager at Evergreen Treatment Services, a Puget Sound regional non-profit focused on homelessness reduction and addiction recovery.

Pauline holds an MA in English from University of Massachusetts, a BA from SUNY-Binghamton and a certification from the Association of Proposal Management Professionals.

An AJAC instructor since 2022, she has held adjunct faculty positions at higher education institutions including the Massachusetts School of Law, the University of Massachusetts, Emmanuel College and the Boston Center for Adult Education. She enjoys the unique challenges of teaching adult learners and strives to create innovative, diverse and welcoming learning environments.

I’ve been a machinist and model maker for over 35 years, beginning my career in the U.S. Navy in 1991. Since then, I’ve worked in automotive performance, aerospace, additive manufacturing, and medical device development. In 2015, I discovered a passion for teaching, which led me into the world of research and development. Today, I specialize in working alongside engineers to turn ideas into functional prototypes and production-ready designs. Along the way, I’ve added CAD design, rapid prototyping, and fixture design to my traditional machining skills. I enjoy solving complex manufacturing challenges and finding practical solutions to difficult engineering problems. I’m currently an R&D Model Maker/Machinist at Philips Oral Healthcare in Washington State. Building innovative products that improve people’s lives is what continues to drive my passion for manufacturing.