Name: Ali Platon
Company: O&W Heat Treat
Position: CEO
Commercial Heat Treater
Years in Industry: 1

When Ali Platon accepted the role of chief executive officer at O&W Heat Treat following the company’s ownership transition in late 2025, she stepped into an industry she had never worked in before. Rather than relying solely on her background in finance and operations, she immersed herself in the business from the ground up, learning the technical side of aerospace heat treat while earning the confidence of employees, clients, and industry partners.

According to her colleagues, Ali’s greatest strength has been recognizing what made O&W successful long before she arrived — then preserving that culture while positioning the company for future growth. She has spent time on the shop floor, built relationships with employees across every department, and sought out opportunities to understand the complexities of heat treat operations instead of trying to manage from a distance. That humility has allowed experienced team members to share their expertise while empowering them to take greater ownership of the company’s future.

Under Ali’s leadership, O&W successfully completed a demanding Nadcap audit, strengthened internal communication, standardized administrative processes, and began implementing new software systems that improve operational visibility and decision-making. She has also focused on building a stronger management structure capable of supporting continued growth while ensuring the company’s longstanding commitment to quality remains unchanged.

Equally important is the culture she continues to foster. Ali has a people-first leadership style built on trust, transparency, and respect. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, collaborate across departments, and view challenges as opportunities for improvement rather than obstacles.

Although still early in her heat treat career, Ali has already demonstrated that thoughtful leadership, curiosity, and a willingness to learn can be every bit as valuable as years of technical experience. Her ability to combine operational discipline with genuine care for people has positioned O&W for continued success during an important period of transition.

Nominated by: NCL Partners