If you’ve been following my tale of precision machining you know I’ve introduced myself, our core values, and the sales team. For this edition of People Powering Precision I got to know the guys behind the scenes a little better, I’m of course talking about our engineering team.
The simple definition of engineering is the discipline of applying technical and scientific knowledge and physical resources to design and produce materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes that meet a desired objective under specified criteria.
It goes without saying (but I’m going to anyways) that engineering plays a huge role in precision machining. They are the backbone, without them the machines don’t run, and if the machines don’t run, we don’t make parts, and if we don’t make parts our customers get a little upset, and if our customers get upset…you get the idea.
Personally, I couldn’t imagine doing what they do, just them (attempting to) explain things to me makes me reach for the bottle of Ibuprofen. There’s a reason why I’m writing this rather than solving tons of math problems and troubleshooting all kinds of glitches daily. That said, let’s meet the team.
Phil – Process Engineer
Phil, or as I like to call him, Phil, has been with Mitotec for six years. He studied Machine Tooling Technics at Madison Tech College; he said the spark that ignited his interest in precision machining was CNC programming. Phil began his career as a machinist which was a natural fit as he enjoys making things with his hands. Being precise, making something functional, troubleshooting, and seeing everything come together to make the product is what gets him out of bed every morning.
Being from Wisconsin he enjoys hunting & fishing, and he follows the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers. He’s the second youngest of seven kids and has three brothers and three sisters. He’s married with one son, one daughter, and they literally play every sport they can so that keeps him quite busy.
Favorite Movie: Top Gun: Maverick
Favorite Band: Everclear
Favorite Quote: “You don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar
Max – Process Engineer
If your dream car is a 1967 Camaro then your name might be Maxmilian and he’s literally the first person I’ve ever known with that name, granted most call him Max but still.
In all seriousness though when it comes to the job, Max enjoys the variety of components that can be made from a round bar and is quite passionate about understanding how something is designed and realizing what the intention is. He earned an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology and was a Flight Deck Trouble Shooter in the Navy.
Originally coming from the Hawkeye State of Iowa, he’s the second youngest of six kids with two brothers and three sisters. He’s married with one son and outside of work he spends his time coaching his son’s baseball team, throwing horseshoes, general outdoor stuff, snowmobiling, golfing, and cars. He’s also a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Favorite Movie: The Big Lebowski
Favorite Band: The Black Crowes
Favorite Quote: “The challenge of the complex, the satisfaction of the solution.” – Mitotec Precision
Adam S. – CNC Programmer
The thrill seeker of the team, Adam has gone skydiving twice and is ready at a moment’s notice to do so again.
Adam took a different path to end up at Mitotec as he worked as a paster, computer networking professional, and a construction worker before a close friend of his steered him towards machining. He started out as a machinist then moved up to lead, then up to supervisor, then process engineer, and then back to supervisor before coming to Mitotec where he hopes to make it back up to process engineer someday.
Originally from Minnesota, Adam enjoys hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities in general which makes him a natural fit for Necedah though part of the reason for relocating here was to be closer to his wife’s family as he has three children.
He considers precision machining as an art form and values experience over formal education which is something that I admire when someone can blaze their own trail. He looked up to his basketball coach as he always pushed him to do more than he thought was possible.
Favorite Movie: Revenge of the Sith
Favorite Band: N/A
Favorite Quote: “People Powering Precision” – Mitotec Precision
Jake – Manufacturing Engineer
Jake, along with Adam S., are the newest additions to the team having only been here a couple months so far but they’ve accomplished quite a bit in that time. His dad was a civil structural engineer whom he credits with getting him into engineering. He earned a manufacturing engineering bachelor’s degree from UW Stout and worked at Doosan Bobcat as a design engineer prior to coming to Mitotec.
He’s originally from Eau Clare but now resides in Tomah, his hobbies include snowboarding, kayaking, trap shooting, and outdoor activities in general. He’s thoroughly happy with his girlfriend and his goals range from dying fat and happy to creative problem solving to continuous improvement in general.
Favorite Movie: Return of the King
Favorite Band: Motley Cru
Favorite Game: Elden Ring (currently) / Black Opts (All-Time)
Favorite Quote: “Believe me, been there done that, every day above ground is a great day.” – Pitbull
Eric – Process Engineer
While Adam and Jacob are the newest additions to the team, Eric is the senior engineer of the team as he very recently celebrated his eighth work anniversary but has been in the precision machining industry for 35 years. His alma mater is Western Wisconsin Technical College (now Western Tech) where he got an associate degree in Machine Tooling.
The reason he’s drawn to engineering is because he enjoys the creativity, improving process’ and subscribes to one of Mitotec’s sayings “the challenge of the complex, satisfaction of the solution.”
Eric has been happily married for 27 years and has two children. He enjoys snowmobiling & boating. He’s also a big Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Vikings (nobody’s perfect) fan. His goal at this point is to finish his career on a high note and pass along his knowledge to the younger generation of engineers. Once retired he says he doesn’t know what it will be yet, but he’ll find something to keep himself busy.
Favorite Movie: The Hunt for Red October
Favorite Band: Pink Floyd
Favorite Quote: “Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi
Adam P. – Engineering Manager
And finally, we come to the leader Adam P. who joined the team earlier this year. He credits his father with getting him interested in engineering. He enjoys all the different process’ and having a hand in how something is made. As far as schooling goes, he got a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from UW Stout and a master’s degree in Business from Viterbo.
He enjoys bow hunting, camping, pontoon boating, bonfires, fishing, cornhole, washer toss, guns, and the outdoors in general. He’s married with two daughters and comes from a very competitive family. Aside from watching his daughters play volleyball, softball, and basketball he’s also a huge Milwaukee Brewers fan.
Favorite Movie: Animal House
Favorite Musician: Luke Combs
Favorite Quote: “Do or do not, there is no try.” – Yoda
That’s the team and with that I bid you adieu. This is Digital Marketing Specialist, Joe Greenberg from Mitotec Precision signing off. People Powering Precision.
