UNDER THIRTY - Society of Manufacturing Engineers

Bret WeberAge: 29Geater Machining & Manufacturing Co.Independence, IABret Weber found his manufacturing careerpath early on while still a high school student.Bret began working at Geater Machining& Manufacturing Co. (GMM) whenhe was 16 years old doing miscellaneous utility workin the paint and hardware departments. After highschool, he completed his Associate of Applied Sciencedegree in machining with honors in the EMC2 programat Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo, IA). EMC2is a consortium between Hawkeye, area high schoolsand area manufacturers, which enables high schoolstudents to earn a year of their CNC degree while stillin high school.Joining GMM with his machinist degree in hand,Bret began to progress through various responsibilities,including team leader, supervisor, lead CNCprogrammer, and machinist. Along the way he becameUNDER THIRTYadept at programmingand helped bringMastercam into thecompany. He workedin prototyping, schedulingand promotedlean principles. His programming experience resultedin optimized cycle times, improved programmingsoftware, and recommendations to change processingof machined parts. He established a method forprogramming the FMS Rail system, writing many ofthe macros in the background for running lasers andprobes in the machine.During this time, Bret also joined the National Guard.He currently holds the position of Machining TeamLead, is married and has two children.Geater’s management team nominated Bret for MEMedia’s 30 Under 30 Award with these words: “Bretnot only continues to make extraordinary contributionsin his daily role but he also willingly shares histalent and expertise with others. Bret is giving back bytraining young students interested in a career in manufacturingwho are participating in the EMC2 programby guiding more students interested in a career inmanufacturing as they learn from the best GMM hasto offer. Bret is one of the more skilled and hardworkingemployees at GMM and can run most machinesincluding the state-of-the-art FMS Rail system. Bretis a true role model to those in the manufacturingindustry. His intelligence, ambition, dedication andleadership are all qualities that he has leveraged whileat GMM. These characteristics will without a doubtcontinue to help him to grow in his career here atGMM. Bret exemplifies the quality of an outstanding,dedicated leader who possesses personal integritywhich is one of the many reasons we are nominatinghim for the 30 Under30 recognition.”Bret’s path is animpressive exampleof what young peoplecan expect in choosinga career in manufacturing from companies likeGMM. The company specializes in the production ofprecision sheet metal and machined components andassemblies for electronics and avionics. GMM’s workforceis highly skilled, its equipment is state-of-the-art,and its quality control measures are strict with the goalof providing customers with cost-effective productionmethods. GMM is ISO 9001:2008, AS9100:Rev C,Nadcap certified, and is an SBA/veteran-owned company.GMM has celebrated its 50th year in businessand remains committed to educating young peopleabout career opportunities in manufacturing in northeastIowa. ME"Geater gave me the opportunity to learn asmuch as I wanted. There was a lot to be learnedand every day was exciting. Prototyping broughtsomething that was new every day. I liked that."THIRTY UNDER THIRTY PROFILES17 ManufacturingEngineeringMedia.com | July 2013