Department/Title: Engineering/Mechanical Design Engineer
Worked at Kadant Johnson Since: May 2014

Tell me about your career path and how you got to Kadant.
I studied Mechanical Engineering at Western Michigan University where I graduated with honors. While attending Western I was invited to join Tau Beta Pi, an Engineering Honor Society. In between my class schedule, I worked as an engineering intern for Dimplex Thermal Solutions – a manufacturer of industrial chillers located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating from WMU, I was offered a job to work in the engineering group at Kadant Johnson.

What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Constantly learning new things!

What do you think is the most important quality for success?
Always searching for ways to improve my work and being adaptable to change.

Always ask, “why?” and don’t accept the answer, “Because that’s how it is.”

How did you develop an interest in engineering?
In high school, I had an exceptional math and science teacher, Ron Schaffner. His classes inspired me to further study in the math and science fields which led me to going to college for engineering. My favorite class was AP Physics. At the end of the year, we got to go on a trip to Cedar Point [amusement park] with the condition that we apply the lessons we learned in class to the behavior of roller coasters. It was a fun way to apply my learning!

What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I love to read, play guitar, bike, and camp. I’m a huge sci-fi nerd! My favorite books include the Rama series by Arthur C. Clarke and the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Do you have a bucket list? What would be the top item on your list?
I would like to eventually visit every continent (maybe not Antarctica…).

What is the most important innovation you’ve seen in your lifetime?
The development of the Internet. I have a profound respect for people who had to do research without Google!