R&D Machine Machinist Earns Outstanding Achievement
Corey Kunkel has only been at R&D Machine for a little more than a year. But during that time, he’s absorbed information from lathe department manager Mike Williams like a Floridaian soaks up sun rays during the summer.
With Mike on the verge of retirement and Corey ready to assume his role, Compass Precision has named Corey the company’s employee of the month for February 2024.
”Corey has definitely exceeded expectations during his short tenure with us,” stated Justin Kovscek, R&D’s Vice President & General Manager. “He came here wanting to learn, then use that knowledge productively. We like that.”
Corey is the 47th employee, including fourth at R&D Machine, to receive the Compass Precision employee of the month honor. Nightshift manager Toby Russel was the most recent recipient of the award at R&D Machine last June.
”When Compass acquired R&D Machine three years ago, we knew we were getting a solid workforce including guys like Mike Williams and others,” explained Compass CEO Gary Holcomb. “But growing demands adding skilled and ambitious machinists to complement the pros we have. In Corey, we got one of those guys.”
As a machinist at R&D, Corey runs the Haas lathes, performs productions along with setups and occasionally assists in what he described as “odds and ends.” That can include creating fixtures or making something that will be used to check parts.
R&D Machine is the fourth machine shop Corey has worked for in his career. He previously was a machinist at MSP for 3-4 years.
Corey described MSP’s lathes as more complex than the ones he currently uses at R&D. But R&D makes far more complicated parts, which is what Corey loves most about the Compass operating company.
“Although the machines at MSP were very technical, the parts were the same every day just with different dimensions and levels of difficulty,” said Corey. “So when I came to R&D for my interview and saw the wide variety of parts that they make, it made me nervous in a good way.
“Like, ‘Man, that looks like a challenge.’ And I wanted to be challenged.”
Corey landed an interview at R&D thanks to Chris Staley, who also works at R&D Machine. Chris worked with Corey at MSP and recommended the Compass operating company to his former co-worker.
At the beginning of his career, Corey actually attended school to earn an accounting degree. But after learning he didn’t have a passion for accounting, he accepted an entry level job in Oklahoma with a manufacturing company.
At the end of his first year, Corey transitioned into the company’s machine shop
With his supervisor retiring in February, Corey plans to use his passion for machining and his year of training under Mike to fill the important vacancy at R&D.
“Obviously there will be a growing process. His shoes won’t be filled the day he retires,” Corey said. “But he’s been prepping me as much as he can for the role. I suspect after a few months or dealing with a few fires, eventually, over time, I will better fulfill his position.”
Corey is from Clearwater, Florida. He has lived in the Sunshine state his entire life except the six years he lived in Oklahoma from 18-24 years old.
He now resides in New Port Richey, Florida with his Siberian husky, Renly. For fun, Corey performs home improvement projects on his house.