Douglas Machinist Receives High Honor
Almost eight years ago, Dan Thesing received help from his friend to land a machinist position at Douglas Machining Services. Today, Dan returns the favor on a day-to-day basis.
“I help people out when they ask questions,” Thesing said of his role at Douglas. “When new people come in, I help them out however I can to get them acclimated to what it’s like working here and get them up to speed.”
For his efforts, Compass Precision has named Dan Thesing its Employee of the Month for June 2025.
Dan is the ninth Douglas employee to win the award and the 63rd Compass employee of the month since the dawn of the program in March 2020. CNC machinist Shane Aukrust was the last recipient of the honor in November 2024.
”One of the things that makes Douglas such a good supplier to its customers is the quality of its employees,” said Compass CEO Gary Holcomb. “We have great equipment. But more importantly, we have great people. Dan is one of those people.”
Dan decided to enter CNC machining because his father made his career in CNC mold. After earning a two-year degree from Southeast Tech in 2016, a friend working at Douglas Machining recommended Dan to the company’s original owner, Dan Douglas.
During his visit to the shop in Winona, Dan accepted the company’s job offer.
He focused on milling during the first few years of his tenure. Then during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dan received an opportunity to work on the company’s lathes.
Since then, Dan has split his time in the Douglas mill and lathe departments, working wherever co-general manager Ben Kubis needs him.
Dan also offers assistance to the other machinists. He suggested it’s all part of the operating company’s culture.
“It seems like everyone wants to help each other out and make the day go as smoothly as you can,” he said.
Dan enjoys working on the different types of machines and projects. His daily tasks include running the company’s various machines, helping other machinists cut material and assisting Ben with the shop floor work flow.
”Dan is one of those guys you can plug in anywhere,” explained Ben. “His flexibility, and desire to help others is a great benefit to us.”
Born and raised in Houston, Minnesota, which is about a 25-minute drive from Winona, Dan is an outdoorsman in his freetime.
He is a member of the Sheldon Valley Sportsmen’s Club, which promotes shooting sports, hunting, fishing and archery. Dan is also part of the Houston Money Creek Snowriders, which is an organization that helps care for sections of snowmobile trails around Houston.
Dan helps coach the Houston High School trap team as well.
When not working with those groups and teams, Dan likes to hunt and fish with family. He also takes great pride in his herd of goats.