We took a few minutes to speak with Jason and get to know him a little better - what does his day to day look like - how does he help CVC achieve the quality we're well known for, and what does he do when he's not working?

Jason has been at Custom Valve Concepts since it was known as Kates - for 19 years and counting. He started his career as a CNC Lathe Setup Operator, helping to produce aerospace parts for fighter jets. When he came to CVC Kates, his primary role was as CNC Lathe Department Supervisor. Over time, his commitment to quality assurance to get it right made him the perfect choice to promote to his current position as Quality Manager.

Every day Jason is surprising the quality management system at Custom Valve Concepts, whether for Kates Valves or custom designs for customers across the globe and throughout multiple industries - oil and gas, chemical, medical equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing or even products for the power industry.

He helps the company in its efforts to ensure their products ship to customers with the best quality and that they meet customer expectations and requirements to a T.

We asked Jason about what he likes about working at CVC, his most significant achievements and industry changes he's hoping become standard sooner rather than later.

Here's what he had to say:

What do you like about working at CVC?

CVC is an exceptional company to work for and offers an excellent work environment for everyone on the team. We enjoy working together, and I find it rewarding to part of the growth of the company going on 19 years now. When I started the company was 12 people now, we are 43 and still growing. It's exciting to see and be a part of it.

What is your most significant professional achievement to date?

When I was brand new in my role as Quality Manager, my first task was to transition the company from ISO9001:2008 to ISO9001:2015. I didn't have a ton of experience with Quality Standards. Still, the company trusted me to hit the ground running with this transition, which is very important to the company and is a significant standard achievement for clients.

What is something in the industry you'd like to see change in the next five years? What is your industry "wish list"?

Over the past decade, there have been fewer workers training and entering the skilled trades workforce from electricians to plumbers, to others. We need more young people to get involved in skilled trades across the board so we can continue to make these products. 

For example, in the most recent survey, 70% of construction companies can't find qualified workers for projects - according to the Associated General Contractors of America, this rate varies from state to state.

There are already more trade jobs like cement masons, carpenters, ironworkers, concrete workers, heavy equipment operators, and other general laborers than Michigander to fill them, according to the same report. An astonishing 0% of firms indicated "no trouble filling," which translates to having trouble finding a worker for at least one role at their firms/companies over the next few years.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter, camping, and photography. I take the majority of photos you see on our social accounts, for example.

What's your favorite quote?

Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. - Henry Ford

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