Talented 5-Axis Machinist Brings His Skills and Experience Back to R&D
Chris Staley rejoined R&D Machine a year ago after a hiatus lasting more than a decade. With his return came a few associates joining the company for the first time. And there is no doubt that R&D has benefited greatly.
Chris was hired by R&D Machine in 2006 as a second shift machinist. The company was different back then – lots of older workers and machines. Chris’s lack of seniority kept him off first shift, something that became an issue after he and his wife Kristen got married in 2009. Chris really liked his job and the environment at R&D. But when Model Screw Products in Clearwater offered him a first shift job in 2011, he jumped ship. Working daylights trumped the excitement of running the new 5-axis Haas VF-3 mill the company had recently purchased and installed.
But Chris never forgot about R&D Machine despite the challenges and successes he experienced at Model Screw Products. While working there, Chris steadily moved up the ranks. He started as a CNC set-up man. Ten years later, he was a production supervisor overseeing 16-32 employees. The company did not have any 5-axis mills. But Model Screw Products was differentiated in its own right, with its Clearwater facility being populated with more than 80 high-end turning machines.
Then, almost by accident, Chris reconnected with Hilary and Carl Whitley, the owners of R&D Machine before Compass purchased the company in April 2022. After the exchange of pleasantries, an offer of re-employment was made, and accepted, on the spot. Chris re-joined R&D in February 2022 and never looked back.
Well, that is a lie. Because actually he did. In a very positive way, at least for R&D. Once getting re-acclimated at the company, he facilitated the introduction of three former co-workers to Justin Kovscek, R&D’s new VP and General Manager. And Justin hired all three.
First came Paola Garcia, a 5-axis CNC machinist that Chris had personally trained. She joined R&D Machine in May 2022. Next was Corey Kunkle, lathe operator extraordinaire, who was hired in July 2022. Finally, Paola’s sister Stephanie Garcia joined R&D as an inspector in September 2022. It is likely that none of them would have sought or accepted employment with R&D without knowing Chris.
“Chris is an exceptionally talented 5-axis guy,” said Justin. “In his short time back with us, he has taken on tremendous responsibility as our 5-axis lead. And his introducing us to Paola, Corey, and Stephanie was such a gift. It’s tough to find good people in today’s job environment. Getting Chris, Paola, Corey, and Stephanie, all in the same year, was like winning the lottery!”
“I really like Hilary and Carl, and had no idea they would sell the company when I accepted their job offer,” explained Chris. “But working for Justin and Kat (R&D Operations Manager) is great. They get it. This is such a positive environment. I really like it here.”
“Compass purchased R&D Machine last year with the idea of it being our springboard into more aerospace, defense, and space business, especially in Florida,” stated Compass CEO Gary Holcomb. “But this strategy only works if we can match it with talented employees and leaders like Chris. Hilary and Carl did us a tremendous favor by re-hiring Chris. Then we got the triple bonus by him recruiting Paola, Corey, and Stephanie. We couldn’t be happier.”
Chris’s and Kristen’s family has grown since the end of Chris’s first stint with R&D. Daughter Makenzie was born in 2015, then son Mason two years later. The family is very tight knit and does much together. Mason shares his father’s abilities in being able to conceptualize 3-D objects as shown by his interest in Lego blocks. Maybe Chris has another protégée in the making.