Quality Products Lathe Lead Earns Outstanding Achievement
Jose Abad left the New York City area 12 years ago. Since then, he hasn’t left Quality Products.
To honor his achievements for the company over 12 years, Compass Precision has named Jose its Employee of the Month for May 2024.
”Jose does an excellent job without needing much supervision,” explained Greg Donaldson, Quality’s Operations Manager. “He is attentive to detail, works well with others, and productively oversees our turning operations.
“We are very happy to have him as part of our Quality Products organization.”
Jose is the 50th employee of the month at Compass. He is also the 14th recipient of the honor at Quality Products.
Estimating and Business Development Scott Zagora was the most recent Quality employee to receive the award in September 2023.
After working five years at Indus Precision Manufacturing in Congers, NY, Jose and his family decided to move to Charlotte in 2012. Jose viewed the move as an opportunity to find more space and live closer to extended family.
One of the very first places he interviewed for a job was Quality Products. Two days after his interview, he accepted a role as a machine operator.
Jose was in that position for seven years. In 2019, he received a promotion to his current role – lathe lead.
“Even though I ran a water jet machine at Indus, I learned pretty much whatever I know in basic CNC lathes in my first job,” said Jose. “Quality has allowed me to expand on my knowledge over the years.
“It’s been so many years using the machines, I know the parts already, and if it’s a new part, I’ve got the knowledge to create a program or whatever I have to do.”
As the lathe lead, Jose is in charge of the Quality lathe department, which includes himself and one other machinist. He’s a self-taught leader, but in the last decade, Jose has used MasterCam classes to continue learning and developing.
Jose admitted that he’s considered other opportunities in Charlotte over the years, but he always stays at Quality Products because he says it’s a great place to work.
“Quality Products is a really good company,” said Jose. “People are nice. Good machines, good parts to make.
“The hours that I have help me with my family time too, so it’s a big plus for me.”
Jose added that Quality has only improved as a company since Compass assumed ownership about five years ago.
“I think the management people really take care of the employees. They help the employees with what they need – some day off or an emergency,” said Jose. “I think that’s been improving from the last couple years. My supervisor lately has been more on the floor, asking if everything is alright or if we have anything to say or whatever.”
Jose has a track record of successful moves in his life. Originally from Ecuador, Jose moved to New York to live with his girlfriend, Monica, in 2006 when he was 22 years old. Less than a year later, Jose and Monica were married.
The couple have two sons, Joaquin (13) and Sebastian (5). Jose loves spending time with his immediate and extended families.
His three favorite things they enjoy doing together are traveling, playing/watching soccer and cooking. Jose’s favorite place to travel is the Caribbean.
The Abad’s are a big soccer family. Both Joaquin and Sebastian belong to a soccer academy and enjoy watching the World Cup. Jose and Monica still root for Ecuador while Joaquin and Sebastian follow the US team.
When those teams aren’t playing, the family will root for Argentina together.
As far as cooking, Jose enjoys grilling steaks and burgers. He also likes making an Ecuadorian dish called ceviche, which is a meal consisting of shrimp with onions, tomatoes, peppers and key lime marinated in lemon or orange juice seasoning.