2015 - 2023

VICE PRESIDENT OF DIGITAL DESIGN & CAM TECHNOLOGIES

ARCHITECTURAL CAST STONE, LLC
(WEST CHICAGO, USA)

Architectural Cast Stone (ACS) was already a well-established commercial architectural stone products manufacturer when I was brought onboard to integrate a Computer Automated Manufacturing (CAM) Division into their production workflow. Previously, ACS created forms for casting exclusively using traditional methods and materials including wood, rubber, and prefabricated form-liners. Roughly 50% of production has shifted to my CAM Division, where forms are wirecut and/or milled from EPS foam, MDF, and various other substrates.

• Responsible for the introduction, development, and integration of a Computer Automated Manufacturing (CAM) Division into the production workflow of an established architectural stone products manufacturer.

• Manage all inventory, hiring, and project deadlines within the CAM Division.

• Oversee day-to-day operations, utilizing a 3-person design/cutting/assembly team and a 2-person finishing team.

• Design development of proprietary product lines, including custom concrete bike lane dividers and cast stone building cladding.

• High-level CAD modeling for new building construction, as well as 3D scanning and CAD modeling for architectural restoration projects.

• Outreach to existing and prospective clients within civil and landscape architecture firms.

2014 - 2015

CNC TECHNICIAN

STREAMLINE AUTOMATION LTD.
(CALGARY, CANADA)

To finance my teaching habit, I took a job in private industry.

Streamline Automation developed the FROG3D foam cutting system, a comprehensive set of digital and CNC tools used primarily in the theming industry.

• Assembly, testing, and troubleshooting for a number of computer numeric control machines, including routers, wire cutters, and scanners.

• Training of new customers in general CNC theory as well as practical training on specific machines.

• Experimentation and documentation of CNC techniques, as well as specific proofs of capabilities for prospective clients.

• Creation of a comprehensive User Guides/Training Manuals for the FROG3D system.

2014

INSTRUCTOR

ALBERTA UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
(CALGARY, CANADA)

I had already been teaching Rhino as a sessional instructor at AUA for a year when I was introduced to the head of the Extended Studies program in a stairwell.

She offered me a class teaching Rhino to adults while we were still shaking hands.

• Instructor in Extended Studies for 3D Modeling with Rhinoceros, an introductory CAD course for adults focused on Rhinoceros 5.0, with brief introductions to CNC milling, 3D printing, Flamingo nXt rendering, and T-Splines 3.0 box modeling.

• Responsible for the complete development of curriculum, including field trips to SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) to see their high-end 3D printers in action and to Laser Equations to see CNC laser cutters and water-jet cutters, as well as demonstrations on UAU’s MakerBot 3D printer and Roland MDX-15 3-axis CNC mill.

2013 - 2014

INSTRUCTOR

ALBERTA UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
(CALGARY, CANADA)

After more than a decade at the University of Alberta, I moved back to my hometown and took a position within the Jewelry and Metals Department at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD, now known as the Alberta University of the Arts), which at the time was headed by renowned foldforming jeweler Charles Lewton-Brain.

• Sessional instructor for JWLM216 - 3D Modeling for Rapid Prototyping, an introductory CAD course for jewelry design students and interdisciplinary artists.

• Responsible for the complete development of curriculum, including projects, weekly assignments, quizzes, class demos, and tutorials.

• Main course objective is to introduce students to CAD and the associated rapid prototyping technologies.

• Responsible for teaching Rhinoceros 5 and Flamingo nXt CAD modeling software to students with little or no previous CAD modeling experience.

• Introduced T-Splines 3.0 (box modeling plug-in for Rhino) to ACAD.

• Organized 3D printing project with SAIT (Southern Alberta Institutue of Technology).

• Introduced CNC machining using ACAD’s Roland MDX-15 3-axis mill.

2002 - 2012

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COMPUTING TECHNICIAN DEMONSTRATOR

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN DIVISION, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
(EDMONTON, CANADA)

The University of Alberta has had an Industrial Design Division within the Department of Art and Design for decades. In 1996, they upgraded their facilities, installing a computer lab and acquiring a 3-axis CNC panel router. I started as a student in the program the next year.

As a mature student in my fourth and fifth years of school, I was hired as a Teaching Assistant in various introductory design courses. My enthusiasm for teaching and mastery of the CAD program Rhino led to a permanent position as the computer lab technician directly after graduation.

• Worked in classes in conjunction with professors and instructors, assisting students with design-related software (mainly Rhinoceros, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Powerpoint).

• One-on-one and group student tutorials.

• Consulted with students concerning design aesthetics and logistical concerns on individual projects.

• Developed extensive visual teaching aids on related technical subjects (digital images, CNC panel routing, etc.)

• Prepared student files for CNC milling and 3D rapid prototyping.

• Operated a 3-axis CNC panel router for student and instructor prototypes.

1986 - 1997

OFFICE SUPERVISOR (1994 - 1997)

AMAR SURVEYS LTD.
(CALGARY, CANADA)

• Co-ordinated and managed the daily operations of a mid-sized oilfield survey firm.

• Responsible for up to nine two-person field survey crews, a five-person drafting department, client liaison, and office organization.

• Responsible for the development of most office protocols, including the prototype safety manual.