Compass Precision Recognizes Evan Grose Once Again
Compass Precision aims to acquire a new operating company every year. However, Compass has started a different kind of yearly tradition at one of its eight operating companies, Gray Manufacturing Technologies – a promotion for longtime employee Evan Grose.
Gray, a leading supplier in 5-axis machined high-quality products for the aerospace industry, announced Thursday that in addition to general manager, Evan will serve as vice president at the operating company.
”Evan has always done everything asked of him,” explained Bill Canning, Compass’s VP & COO. “And since he took over general management responsibilities, Gray has really taken off. We want to recognize this by adding vice president to his title.”
This is Evan’s fourth promotion since he began working at Gray during 2016. He has also served as the company’s manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, operations manager and general manager.
Evan is one of Gray’s longest-tenured employees. He has worked roughly nine years at Gray over two stints In the 12 years of the operating company’s existence.
“I’m certainly thankful for all the opportunities,” Evan said. “I hope that I can maintain everybody’s expectations and keep them happy and proud that they have me around.
“It’s certainly been a privilege and an honor to not only do the work but to see the ideas that we’ve had for years start to come to fruition and were, in fact, the right thing to do.”
As he has with past promotions, Evan gave a lot of the credit for his success to the other Gray employees. Together, Evan and Gray reached new heights during 2024.
In Evan’s first year as the operating company’s general manager, Gray set new monthly and yearly sales and shipping records. Gray reached those new heights with fewer employees and no overtime shifts.
Evan said, “It was a group effort to achieve those goals.” Like a great conductor in front of a stellar band, he orchestrated what his team carried out to be successful.
“At the end of the day, it boils back to the whole thing I’ve said before that leaders lead people,” said Evan. “Taking more initiative into the concerns and well being of the team drives our success. The guys here really go out of their way and respond well when they know you have their back.”
Looking ahead to 2025 with a new promotion, Evan stated Gray’s goal continues to be improving its on-time delivery percentage. His other main goal is for Gray to repeat its 2024 success.
The bar is set high. But Gray now has a blueprint to follow.
Evan stressed that Gray is taking more steps to further refine their processes. The company is also “honing in” on what it did well in 2024 and trying to make it even better.
The smart money says Evan and Gray will achieve those goals in the coming year. After all, Evan hasn’t rested on his laurels with any of his previous promotions.
He said now isn’t the time to do that either.
“Last year was pretty much the benchmark of which this company has ever performed,” said Evan. “Don’t backslide now. Now that we have the momentum, let’s try to stay consistent and adhere to the things we’ve learned and done up to this point.
“Although we achieved the best outcome of business and manufacturing growth we’ve ever experienced, I don’t believe that we’ve reached the total top of our potential.”