This shared experience ignited my drive to create tools designed to elevate the human spirit , intellect , desire , dream , vision , and mission .
The first 25 years of my adult life , I was committed to being a significant contributor to the American manufacturing machine . This commitment required several years of focused effort to debunk many of the beliefs I held about the world that were simply not serving me . I allowed mentors to guide me , to help me get out of my own way , and they helped me rewrite my story , turning my failures and losses into teachable moments .
In 1988 , as a 19-year-old kid , I started my company , known today as Dylan Aerospace . I had no idea what I was doing , or what I was getting myself into . I started out contract welding , and building specialized tools , then quickly turned my focus to CNC turning and milling , supporting ultra-high pressure waterjet technologies and aerospace OEM ’ s . In my early days , I was fortunate to have incredible MFG and engineering talent around me and learned quickly to shut my mouth and open my ears and mind , to learn from the smartest people I had ever met . They became mentors , personally and professionally , and changed the trajectory of my life . Thank you , Doug , Gene and Chad !
“ If you treat the MFG business as though you invested $ 100,000 in an Ivy League college education , it will take very good care of you and your family for the rest of your life !” This was the advice of Doug Schwab , one of my earliest mentors . And so , I went all in on manufacturing and Doug was right .
Those years were a whirlwind of highs and lows , marked by personal and professional triumphs and trials .
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