Age: 39
Title: President
Company: Ace Extrusion L.L.C.
Why he was selected: The senior executive of Ace Extrusion has helped the company expand its production footprint during the last five years.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the rubber industry?
Growing up, my father, Tim, was my hero. He had a very successful sales career in the rubber industry and used to take me to the office with him on Saturday mornings. I would tour the plant with him, look at all the huge machines making products, and kind of fell in love with the smell of it. I had a unique opportunity to start on the ground floor of a start-up rubber manufacturing company, Ace Extrusion, with my father and my current partners in 2005, and I jumped at the chance to learn the processes and learn the business from the plant floor, first-hand. Rubber processing is challenging, and it has been a learning experience, but understanding the business from the ground floor up has been educational and invaluable.
What accomplishment are you most proud of so far and why?
The establishment of solid relationships. The rubber industry is a tight-knit industry, and we are trusted daily by our employees, our customers and our suppliers. It has been exciting to watch these relationships develop and grow over the past 12 years. We come to work every day, as a team, to continue to grow and develop both our current as well as new relationships.
What advice do you have for students considering a career in the rubber industry?
There is a need for young, technical people in this industry. If students are willing to work hard and are looking for a challenging and rewarding career, they ought to look strongly at a career in the rubber industry. There is an age gap in this industry, and there is room to grow in this industry for young talent.
Other interests: Celebrated his 18th anniversary with his wife, Kathy, and spends time coaching, driving, teaching and hanging out with their daughter and three boys. Plays guitar for his church and helps lead youth ministries with his family.