How I Made It
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How I Made It: Steven Dalessio, Executive Director of the American Precision Museum
From shop floor to museum floor, Steven Dalessio has held leadership positions through most of his life. In this installment of How I Made It, hear the lessons he’s learned through it all.
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How I Made It: Harry Moser
Harry Moser has seen manufacturing flourish and contract in the U.S. over a career that has lasted over 50 years. Now, he’s part of the vanguard reshoring manufacturing in the U.S. Find out one simple change he believes could bring 1,000,000 manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. in the latest installment of How I Made It.
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How I Made It: Montez King
From high schooler pushing a broom on a shop floor to executive director of the National Institute of Metalworking Standards (NIMS), a series of bold decisions have shaped Montez King’s career path.
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How I Made It: Matt Erbach
One of only 10 teachers statewide to receive the 2025 Golden Apple Award, Matt Erbach earned the honor for his exceptional work teaching CNC machining and welding — a rare recognition for a career and technical educator. In this interview, Erbach shares how he transformed a neglected shop class into a cutting-edge manufacturing lab.
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How I Made It: Roger Atkins
From growing up in his father’s shop to leading a national manufacturing association, Roger Atkins has seen it all. In this exclusive interview, Atkins shares insights into building successful businesses, navigating crises and why community is the most powerful tool in manufacturing.
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How I Made It: Mark and Nancy Rohlfs
Running a machine shop is difficult enough by yourself. But what if your sibling was your co-owner? This is the reality for Mark and Nancy Rohlfs of East Coast Precision Manufacturing. Find out how they’ve managed to turn sibling differences into a successful partnership.
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Latest How I Made It News And Updates
How I Made It: Craig Cegielski
Craig Cegielski tells us about the founding and successes of student-run manufacturing business Cardinal Manufacturing and offers advice for setting up a student-run manufacturing business in your own school district.
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How I Made It: Sherry Davies, CEO & President of T.J. Davies Co.
How do you transform a family machine shop into a thriving business while staying true to its roots? Sherry Davies recounts her path from childhood visits to her father’s machine shop to leading the business through growth and change. Here, she talks about her personal growth as a shop leader, her commitment to American-made products, and her lead-by-example philosophy.
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How I Made It: Noah Decker, CEO of Decker Machine Works
Noah Decker grew up around his father's shop, where he picked up an experimental, DIY mindset for rehabbing and retrofitting old equipment that has helped Decker Machine Works thrive under his leadership.
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How I Made It: Dennis Rymanowski
Dennis Rymanowski has worked at NSH USA for 60 years, with his passion for manufacturing living alongside his passion for his family’s polka band.
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How I Made It: Nushrat Ahmed: CNC Swiss Operator
By day, 21-year-old Nushrat Ahmed is a CNC Swiss operator making automotive parts. By night, she handcrafts crocheted items.
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How I Made It: Trevor Hirschi, Instructor, Bridgerland Technical College
Student, operator, instructor, shop owner — Trevor Hirschi’s many roles have enabled him to understand both the technical and creative sides of manufacturing.
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How I Made It: Amy Skrzypczak, CNC Machinist, Westminster Tool
At just 28 years old, Amy Skrzypczak is already logging her ninth year as a CNC machinist. While during high school Skrzypczak may not have guessed that she’d soon be running an electrical discharge machining (EDM) department, after attending her local community college she found a home among the “misfits” at Westminster Tool. Today, she oversees the company’s wire EDM operations and feels grateful to have avoided more well-worn career paths.
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