Each year, the 40 Under 40 initiative at Heat Treat Todayrecognizes 40 rising young leaders (ages 40 and younger) in heat treat who are going above and beyond in the industry. The 40 Under 40 initiative gives names, faces, and words to the next generation of heat treat professionals.
To learn more about what makes someone a quality candidate for this honor, read below to hear from the individuals themselves — alumni of Heat Treat Today’s40 Under 40 — as they share personal updates and industry insights.
Click this link to nominate yourself, or someone you know, by June 28, 2024.
David Cunningham
At the time of David’s nomination for Heat TreatToday’s40 Under 40 Class of 2019, he was working in Process & Mechanical Design as a heat treating furnace engineer for L&L Special Furnace Co., Inc. Here he shares an exciting career (and company) update: “The biggest change since I was nominated to Heat Treat Today’s40 Under 40 is that I have taken over ownership of L&L Special Furnace Co. I became full owner of the business in January 2023.”
David Cunningham L&L Special Furnace, Co., Inc.
Something David finds most fascinating about the heat treat industry is the number of markets it serves. He says, “I am always surprised looking through our list of customers and knowing what their processes are. I never considered how many industries utilize heat treating.”
David’s advice for the incoming 40 Under 40Class of 2024 is to “Keep learning . . . there is so much more to heat treating than just making things hot. There are so many niche markets out there. One of the things that fascinated me most was learning how the glass for the Hubble was heat treated.”
An alum of the 40 Under 40Class of 2023, Kevin describes how he rose “through the ranks” in the heat treat industry starting in 2008: “[I] started out in the field on the ground as a helper and . . . worked myself up through the ranks . . . to Level 1 technician, to Level 2 technician . . . all the way up into management.” He currently works as operations manager of heat treating at ProQual Inspections.
Kevin Norton ProQual Inspections
To Kevin, the most intriguing thing about the heat treat industry is the advancements in technology, reducing manpower and improving safety. He states that, “different processes in heat treating will go far and beyond what we currently have . . . I’m looking forward to that.”
Kevin’s advice to anyone looking to do something different in their work is to “Be inquisitive; ask questions.”
Previous to Miguel’s nomination for Heat TreatToday’s40 Under 40Class of 2023, he worked as a process engineer at Nexteer. Miguel shared an exciting career update that took place soon after: “This kind of recognition gave me a plus to be considered . . . [for] the new position I have had since last year as an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer (AME)” at Nexteer.
Miguel Zempoaltecatl Nexteer
Miguel describes what he enjoys most about working in the heat treat industry, “As a good friend . . . told me, metallurgy is the oldest of the arts but the newest of the science[s], and this relationship between metallurgy and heat treatments, gives me the opportunity to learn more every day . . . I enjoy work[ing] in this area because every day [there] are new challenges.”
Sasha Tupalo, the manager of Thermatool Labs at Thermatool Corp., was recognized in 2019 as a 40 Under 40 rising star, and she has more than lived up to this award; she answers the call of leadership through educating others and managing a variety of projects. In this Heat TreatNextGen series (formerly called “Metallurgical Posterchild”), we join Doug Glenn, publisher of Heat TreatToday and host of this podcast, to learn what brought her to metallurgy, her training and leadership initiatives, and more.
Below, you can watch the video, listen to the podcast by clicking on the audio play button, or read an edited transcript.
The following transcript has been edited for your reading enjoyment.
Meet Sasha Tupalo (01:08)
Doug Glenn: Welcome. I’m looking forward to the conversation.
Contact us with your Reader Feedback!
Sasha Tupalo: Thank you so much for having me, Doug. It’s a great honor and pleasure.
Doug Glenn: Yes, great. And we should start off by mentioning that Sasha was in the 2019 class of Heat TreatToday’s 40 Under 40! Congratulations on that.
Sasha Tupalo: Thank you. That was a huge honor, as well.
Sasha Tupalo Manager of Thermatool Labs Thermatool Corp. Source: LinkedIn
Doug Glenn: I want to get a little bit more about your background; we’re just getting to know you a little bit better because you’re one of the younger, rising leaders in the industry.
Where do you work right now? What’s your title, and what do you do?
Sasha Tupalo: I work at Thermatool Corporation, located in East Haven, Connecticut. We manufacture high frequency welders, heat treating equipment, as well as cutting equipment for the pipe and tube industry.
Doug Glenn: You guys are part of the Inductotherm Group of companies, correct?
Sasha Tupalo: Correct. Inductotherm Group consists of over 40 companies.
We have different divisions for melting and heat treating.
Doug Glenn: For those in the heat treating industry, we might be a little more familiar with companies like Inductoheat Inc., Radyne Corporation, Lepel … there are a number of them.
You are the manager of the lab?
Sasha Tupalo: Yes. My current title is manager of Thermatool Labs. Thermatool Labs is a characterization laboratory here at Thermatool where we do studies from heat treating, weld sample analysis, any R&D projects involving welding of new materials (perhaps with high frequency welding), creating heat treating recipes for our customers for post weld heat treating of seams or full body, annealing and heat treating. I have the most fun here!
Thermatool Corporation located in East Haven, Connecticut. Source: Thermatool Corp.
Doug Glenn: Yes, good — every day is exciting!
Sasha, I want to go, very briefly, through your upbringing, from where you were born, where you were raised, what your education was. Can you give us the, “I was born in _____” and up through college?
Sasha Tupalo: Absolutely. I was born and raised in Ukraine in the town of Dnipro. It’s kind of centrally located, right on the river. I went to high school there, and went to undergraduate school in my hometown, as well. Then I moved to the U.S. to pursue my master’s degree. Both my undergraduate degree and my master’s degree were in Material Science and Engineering.
Doug Glenn: And your undergraduate degree was from Ukraine, or did you get it here in the States?
Sasha Tupalo: It was from the Ukraine, my bachelor’s degree.
Doug Glenn: What year was it that you came to the U.S. for your master’s?
Sasha Tupalo: It was 2014. I had a gap year, actually. I got my bachelor’s degree in 2013, and then I had a gap year. When I was studying in undergrad school, I’d had an opportunity to come to the U.S. for two summers. There used to be an exchange student program, so I participated in that. After I received my bachelor's degree, I thought it would be really neat to get my education somewhere overseas.
Doug Glenn: So, where did you go for your master’s degree?
"I thought it would be really neat to get my education somewhere overseas." Source: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Sasha Tupalo: For my master’s, I went to Worcester Polytech Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Doug Glenn: At WPI with Richard Sisson and that crew.
Sasha Tupalo: We collaborate on things, but he will always be Professor Sisson to me.
Doug Glenn: It’s difficult, once you know someone by their title, to call them by their first name.
Since you’re from Ukraine, it’s incumbent upon me to ask: Are your family and others all okay, that you know of?
Sasha Tupalo: That I know of, yes. My mom’s been fortunate enough to be staying with me for a little while. The rest of my family is still over there. Thankfully, they are okay. I mean, you know, it’s war, but it is difficult.
Doug Glenn: Well, as you know, a lot of people in the United States have our thoughts and prayers with the folks of Ukraine. They’re certainly taking it on the chin.
Sasha Tupalo: I would like to say, from the all the Ukrainian people I know, a lot of people are very, very grateful for your support.
Beginnings in Materials Science (06:10)
Doug Glenn: Thank you; I appreciate that.
Let’s talk about how you got interested in metallurgy. Here you are, a young high school student or so — what intrigued you with materials and metallurgy?
Sasha Tupalo: This is kind of funny, but it’s true: It was pure curiosity. I was graduating high school, and I was 16 at the time. I really had no clue what I wanted to do with my life, so I started going through majors. I had a list of things I knew I wasn’t as interested in — I knew I didn’t want to go into the medical field. My grandma was a doctor, but that’s just not for me. Law, also, was not for me.
My dad is an engineer. I was always good at math and sciences, so I considered engineering. I just didn’t know which kind of engineering. I started looking through lists of majors, and looking through different leaflets, and I found something that was called “materials engineering.” I was like, “Hmm, I’m curious.”
As I’m reading what it’s about, in a leaflet from the undergrad school where I went to, the first sentence was: “Just look around you. Everything that you see is made out of materials and this is what we study.” I thought, “Wow, that’s fascinating!” I started reading more, and I leaned more into metals — that was my choice of materials.
Doug Glenn: Any reason why metals?
Sasha Tupalo: No, not really. It’s just what fascinated me. As I started reading more and getting more into it, I said, “Wow, I want to study this. This is very, very interesting and unique.”
Doug Glenn: It’s an interesting and healthy perspective: you look around and you see, like you said, everything is all materials! So many people today want to go into computer sciences and similar things, stuff that you really have a hard time getting your hands on. But there is a real world out there made up of real things!
You mentioned that your grandmother was a doctor, and your father was an engineer. And your mother?
Sasha Tupalo: She is an English teacher, actually.
Doug Glenn: What did your family think when you said, “You know what? I think I’m going to go this materials/metals route.” Were they supportive, or did they say, “What were you thinking?”
Sasha Tupalo: My dad was very excited. He was, like, “Oh, another engineer in the family, that’s great!” He actually went to the same undergrad school as I did. For him, that was a very proud moment. My mom was supportive, but she was kind of scratching her head. She was, like, “If that’s what you want to do, just do it well. You’ll succeed.”
"At WPI, we actually had a pretty diverse group for our master's degree." Source: Unsplash.com/thisisengineering
My grandma, she’s older, and she expressed, “I don’t think girls do engineering.” That was kind of the mindset. My grandma is 82 now, so, at the time, she just thought, “That’s an odd choice.” And really, when I went to school, there weren’t a whole lot of girls, especially in materials engineering.
Doug Glenn: It’s still relatively true.
Sasha Tupalo: Yes, it’s still true. At WPI, we actually had a pretty diverse group for our master’s degree; but once you get into metallurgy and the heat treating industry, it’s still predominantly a male industry.
Doug Glenn: The very first interview of this type that we did, in fact, the very first podcast that Heat TreatToday did, was with a female graduate from WPI. Her name was Hayley Sandgren (now Hayley Sandgren-Fox), and she was the very first podcast that we ever did.
Sasha Tupalo: That’s amazing!
Doug Glenn: It is. Years ago we did a survey of the thermal processing market. It was basically 98% male and 2% female. That was quite a few years ago, but I doubt that it’s changed significantly. If it’s 10–15% women, I would be surprised.
Sasha Tupalo: I think the latest research from the census bureau, that I’ve seen — in the workforce and STEM careers, it’s around 27–28% women.
Doug Glenn: Is that right?
Sasha Tupalo: Yes, something like that. And then, they have further distinguished between computer science and engineering; and the engineering numbers are quite low.
Sasha’s Experience in Heat Treating (10:55)
Doug Glenn: When you got to WPI, what did you study, specifically? What was your master’s thesis?
Sasha Tupalo: I had a master’s independent project. It was actually about heat treating: It was the microstructural and grain growth kinetics of 8620. It was a pretty neat project. It was very hands-on, which a lot of people who go to WPI will tell you that we really appreciate the projects the students have. They’re very involved; they’re hands-on. It gives you a better perspective of how to actually take what you’ve learned and bring it to the real world or to your job.
Doug Glenn: So, what is the application? I mean, is there a practical application of what you studied, or is it more theoretical?
Sasha Tupalo: It was pretty applicable just to the heat treating industry — austenitizing, quenching and tempering — grain growth kinetics, hardness variations, microstructural evolution. It’s actually all of the things I do now, so that was really helpful!
Doug Glenn: Workwise, specifically, what are some of the projects with which you’re involved?
Sasha Tupalo: I am very heavily involved on the high frequency induction welding side. That was something new to me, as I was graduating. I did a lot of continuing education in terms of welding, welding metallurgy, and now I’m the expert of high frequency induction welding.
Now, as far as the heat treating side goes, I am now involved in and looking into new 2-step, post-weld heat treating for high frequency induction welds to improve their toughness performance, especially for pipelines. Low temperature pipelines seem to be the trend these days, so we’re trying to help our customers to improve their Charpy properties.
Doug Glenn: Did you enjoy WPI?
Sasha Tupalo: Yes, absolutely. I had a really good experience.
Doug Glenn: What did you enjoy most? Was it the technical part, was it something outside of school, what was it?
Sasha Tupalo: Just the school itself, the campus. There’s a real sense of community at WPI. I had very good classmates and had a lot of, as I mentioned before, hands-on stuff, and practical training and seminars. It was very involved. It was nice to be in that atmosphere — where everybody is striving to do their best and learn something new.
Doug Glenn: After you got out, have you enjoyed the industry?
Sasha Tupalo: Yes. I enjoy industry very much so! There is something about putting your knowledge to actual, practical solutions that I really enjoy.
Doug Glenn: Do you get to go out into the field much? I know that you do R&D, but are you out in the field?
Sasha Tupalo: I do.
Doug Glenn: Tell us about that a little bit.
Sasha Tupalo: When I started at Thermatool, my first title was applications engineer, so I was traveling quite a bit. I would mostly visit our pipe and tube mills of our customers. They don’t differ much from steel mills.
Doug Glenn: You started as application engineer, and you are now lab manager? What was the progression there?
Sasha Tupalo: Applications engineer, materials engineer, senior materials engineer, and now lab manager.
Doug Glenn: You’ve been “climbing the corporate ladder.”
Industry Tips (15:50)
A couple other questions here: You mentioned that you continue to grow in your knowledge. If you were to recommend one helpful tool, for people similar to you in the industry, some sort of metallurgical resource or materials resource — do you have anything that’s a favorite?
Sasha Tupalo: I’d have to go with ASM. They have vast knowledge; they have classes and webinars; they publish books. There is just pretty much anything you might need, and you can find it. I have taken a couple of the classes myself because they were very niche; that’s not something you learn in school. I think if someone was looking for some resource, that’s a great resource.
Doug Glenn: Is there anything you would say, in way of encouragement, to younger people (I don’t know that many young people will be listening to this that aren’t in the industry already) but would there be anything you could say that would encourage people to say, “You know, you really ought to look into this industry”?
Heat Treat Today's 40 Under 40 Award Source: Heat Treat Today
Sasha Tupalo: Yes. There are a lot of opportunities — and I’m sure you’ve heard it from other people too — we’re having a really hard time finding new workforce, especially younger people. There are lots of opportunities for growth. It’s fun. It’s a really fun industry — for me, it is, at least. If it’s something that interests you, I say go for it!
Rapid Fire Round (17:38)
Doug Glenn: Very good. This has been great, Sasha, we appreciate it. I want to wrap this up with maybe some stuff a little bit more away from business and education; just kind of some fun things to show people that, you know what, materials engineers are people too.
I’m going to give you a couple quick questions and you can give me a one-word answer, or you can give me an embellished answer. This is the “rapid fire round.”
Doug Glenn: Are you a MAC or a PC user?
Sasha Tupalo: I would have to go with PC. I’ve been a PC user since elementary school.
Doug Glenn: When you consume media (any type of media), what do you prefer — print or digital, both?
Sasha Tupalo: I would say both. I really enjoy getting email digests, either weekly or daily or whatever they are, but there is something about reading through an actual magazine, in print, that I prefer much better.
Doug Glenn: Very interesting. That’s great.
Which do you value more — I’m going to give you two options? Flexible work schedule or high pay? If you had to give up one or the other? Would you rather be paid high and have a rigid work schedule, or do you like the flexibility and maybe you’ll take a little pay cut for the flexibility?
Sasha Tupalo: I would probably say flexible schedule. It’s a tough one but . . . . I wonder if you would ask me that maybe 5 years from now if my answer would change. But, as of right now, it would be flexible schedule.
Doug Glenn: I ask that question because I’m a “baby boomer”; I was born in 1961, so I’m one of the old-timers, supposedly. I don’t feel like it, but they tell me I am. The stereotype is that we tend to be out for the higher paying jobs, but that the younger generation tends to be, “You know, money is not that important. I’m more interested in flexibility.” It has been interesting: Almost everybody, all of the younger people that we interview, most of them do say they’d rather have the flexibility. It’s not that money is not important.
Sasha Tupalo: Right. But if you have to choose one . . .
Doug Glenn: Yes, right, one or the other. It’s kind of an unfair question, but that’s okay; nobody said the questions were going to be fair.
The people at Thermatool, I’m sure, know that you love your job and that you’re not going anywhere. But, if money were no object whatsoever, what would be your dream job? If you didn’t have to worry about money, and you just did something you really enjoyed doing, what would you do?
Sasha Tupalo: I’ve never thought about it because I enjoy what I’m doing.
Doug Glenn: Yes, it could be that this is it!
Sasha Tupalo: Yes, this might be it for me!
Doug Glenn: So, nothing else? You’ve never thought, “You know, if I could just do this, that would be really interesting.”
Sasha Tupalo: No, I really haven’t, to be honest with you. I really enjoy being an engineer, working on solutions and being challenged.
Doug Glenn: Good for you. It’s good to be content.
So, outside of work, what occupies your time? Are you an outdoor person, or what do you do?
"[M]y husband and I are trying to visit all the national parks in the U.S." Source: Unsplash.com/Jeremy Bishop Sasha Tupalo: Yes, I am. I really like hiking and camping. In fact, my husband and I are trying to visit all the national parks in the U.S. We’ve got a ways to go, but when we first started, there was 59 or 60 of them and now it’s up to 63. But we’ve got 20 on our list, so far.
Doug Glenn: That you have been to? You’ve been to 20 so far? What’s a highlight? What’s the best one (or two), so far?
Sasha Tupalo: The most recent trip was actually last year — we went to Utah — Zion National Park and Arches National Park. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Doug Glenn: I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s outstanding.
Sasha Tupalo: If you get a chance to go, I would highly recommend it.I like being grounded, being next to nature; that’s how I relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Doug Glenn: What does your husband do? What is his work?
Sasha Tupalo: He is actually also an engineer. He is a chief engineer at a hotel — more of maintenance and building engineering.
Doug Glenn: That makes for interesting dinner conversations, I’m sure. “So, dear, what kind of calculation do we want to do tonight?”Last question, Sasha. It’s been really enjoyable talking with you.
Again, this doesn’t have to be technical, but can you tell us your favorite app, phone app, movie or magazine? Or you can give us one of each, if you’d like.
Sasha Tupalo: Favorite app? I guess I would go with the one that I use pretty much daily: I use Audible a lot lately.
"I've found that audiobooks work for me . . . ." Source: Unsplash.com/distingue
Doug Glenn: For audio books?
Sasha Tupalo: Correct, yes. I do so much reading for work, so when I do get a chance sometimes, I’ll do that. A lot of people do podcasts, and I do listen to some podcasts, as well, but I’ve found that audiobooks work for me too. And I can combine it if it’s commute or if I’m working out, I can do both.
Doug Glenn: So, how long is your commute?
Sasha Tupalo: Mine is actually not that long.
Doug Glenn: And what types of books are you listening to?
Sasha Tupalo: You know, same thing. I’m trying to be intriguing. I read a lot for work. I’m trying to go somewhere in a different direction. I’m working my way through the Game of Thrones series. I’m a little late to the party, but you know . . .
Doug Glenn: Very good, Sasha. It’s really been very much a pleasure to meet you and talk with you a bit. Congratulations, again, on the 40 Under 40 award.
Sasha Tupalo: It’s been a pleasure talking to you and thank you so much for having me.
Doug Glenn: You’re welcome.
About the expert: Sasha Tupalo began her career as a materials engineer at Thermatool Corp. in 2016 after finishing her master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She has been very active supporting the Fabricators and Manufacturer’s Association educational programs, as well as ASM Heat Treat events. She provides process troubleshooting support for tube, pipe, and closed roll formed shape producers. She routinely evaluates weld samples and heat treat specimens as part of this process. Sasha delivers training both in-house at Thermatool and at customers’ sites and leads continuing education classes such as “Weldability of Advanced Steels, Stainless Steels and Aluminum” (delivered 2018 at LeTourneau University, Longview, TX), and “Oilfield Metallurgy” (an ASM Continuing Education Class) in 2017. She has written several papers and delivered presentations in her field just since 2016. Sasha is an active member of numerous scientific and technical committees such as ASM, ASTM (A01, E04 and E28), TMS, AIST and WAG (Welding Advisory Group) at AISI.
For more information:contact Sasha through the company website www.thermatool.com
[Está] posicionado no solo para trabajar en conjunto con otros seres humanos sino también para liderarlos; si su potencial se ha de realizar, puede que ya haya entendido bien que en esas personas reposa la verdadera clave del éxito que a futuro pudiera conseguir.
Bill Munn, coach de liderazgo at Bill Munn Management Coaching, wrote this article for Heat TreatToday’s September 2022 Tradeshowprint edition. Read the English translation when you click the flag to the right!
Bill Munn Leadership Coach Bill Munn Management Coaching Source: Bill Munn Management Coaching
¡Felicitaciones a Los 40 sub-40 de Heat Treat Today Promoción 2022! (En inglés: Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2022, N. del T.) Este galardón constituye un honor que señala a quien lo recibe como portador de una muy importante y singular responsabilidad.
Contact us with your Reader Feedback!
Usted es un líder.
Por definición, de aquí se desprende que no se desempeña solo; es más, está posicionado no solo para trabajar en conjunto con otros seres humanos sino también para liderarlos; si su potencial se ha de realizar, puede que ya haya entendido bien que en esas personas reposa la verdadera clave del éxito que a futuro pudiera conseguir.
¿Cómo, pues, lograr su compromiso?
✔ Primer paso: Afiance en sí mismo un espíritu enseñable, asumiendo su rol con la humildad sufi ciente como para buscar el consejo, la claridad y el aprendizaje continuo.
✔ Segundo paso: Aprenda cómo motivar a las personas.
Los tres pilares para motivar a un equipo
Luego de más de cinco décadas de trabajar de cerca con centenares de líderes excelentes junto con sus equipos, he identifi cado y confi rmado vez tras vez que hay tres factores claves para motivar el compromiso y el desempeño de las personas: la visión, la autonomía y el crecimiento.
Visión
Las personas anhelan ser parte de algo importante.
Desean que su actividad tenga significado. Ansían no solo entender la visión del equipo y la empresa a la que pertenecen sino también creer en ella.
Para generar tal visión no hace falta que usted esté dedicado a salvar el mundo. Bastará con que dedique un tiempo a revisar los valores fundamentales de su organización preguntando: <<¿Qué hace que esto sea importante? ¿Qué es imprescindible para que estemos aquí haciendo lo que hacemos?>>, para luego comunicar ese mensaje a su equipo.
Este es un proceso tan poderoso como esencial, uno que demasiadas veces se ha pasado por alto.
Autonomía
Las personas rechazan fuertemente la microgestión. Corresponda o no a la realidad, la microgestión transmite dos mensajes fatales para la motivación: <<No confío en usted>> y <<Creo que usted es incompetente>>.
Por otro lado, el asignar tareas a los miembros del equipo invitándolos a formular preguntas y despejar dudas para luego entrar con fuerza a desempeñarse por sí solos comunica todo lo contrario dando a entender: <<Confío en usted>> y <<Creo lo puede hacer>>.
Motiva de manera increíble.
Ganancia adicional: Los miembros de su equipo aprenderán y crecerán de forma más ágil, logrando un mayor alcance, cuando se les permita el desarrollo autónomo; demostrarán mayor sentido de pertenencia a la organización y su visión.
En pocas palabras, serán más comprometidos y efi caces.
Crecimiento
Las personas anhelan que se les haga progresar; quieren sentir, a lo largo de sus vidas y sus carreras, que están en vías de mejora y crecimiento, perfeccionando cada vez más su quehacer.
El personal suyo desea recibir retroalimentación, asistir a seminarios, participar en programas de formación, leer revistas informativas de peso como esta, y tener acceso a la ayuda, la asesoría y el desarrollo en su esfera particular.
Son demasiados los líderes que se acercan al personal para decir: <<deberías ser mejor en X o te falta avanzar en Y>> sin brindarles el apoyo
para lograrlo, comunicando así el no querer invertir en el éxito a largo plazo de esa persona, lo que a su vez genera que la persona invierta menos de sí en la organización y sus metas.
Si busca un equipo conformado por personas valiosas, apoye a esas personas en su crecimiento demostrando así que son valoradas.
Los resultados de una motivación efectiva
Un equipo motivado se compromete, y un equipo comprometido logra lo propuesto. Como líder de alto potencial usted tiene una oportunidad singular para encender en el personal con el que trabaja una llama, proceso que revertirá en benefi cio de sus metas propias.
Establezca la visión. Libere la autonomía. Fomente el crecimiento. Hacerlo se ha convertido ahora en su responsabilidad y un alto honor, honor que tanto su personal como su carrera le habrá de agradecer.
Le deseamos lo mejor. HTT
Sobre el Autor: Acerca del autor: Mediante el desarrollo de la visión estratégica y la resolución de retos en tiempo real, Bill Munn asiste a los ejecutivos en potenciar al máximo sus equipos. Desde su experiencia como veterano de 32 años en coaching empresarial y otrora ejecutivo destacado del Dow 30, Bill viene aportando sabiduría práctica, perspicacia innovadora y herramientas para el actuar contemporáneo a centenares de líderes corporativos a nivel mundial. Magister en administración de empresas y en su momento profesor de fi nanzas y economía, Bill es un conferencista dinámico y autor de best-sellers en Amazon.
Leadership coach Bill Munn writes to Heat TreatToday’s40 Under 40 Class of 2022: "[You] are positioned not only to work with fellow human beings, but to lead them. And if your potential is to be realized, you may already know well that those people are the true key to your future success."
Bill Munn, leadership coach at Bill Munn Management Coaching, wrote this article for Heat TreatToday’s September 2022 Tradeshowprint edition. Read the Spanish translation when you click the flag to the right!
Bill Munn Leadership Coach Bill Munn Management Coaching Source: Bill Munn Management Coaching
Congratulations to the Heat Treat Today 40 Under 40 Class of 2022! This accolade is an honor, and it marks you as one carrying a unique and important responsibility: You are a leader.
Contact us with your Reader Feedback!
By definition, this means that you are not functioning alone. Moreover, you are positioned not only to work with fellow human beings, but to lead them. And if your potential is to be realized, you may already know well that those people are the true key to your future success.
So how will you engage them?
✔ Step one: Embrace a teachable spirit. Bring enough humility to your role to pursue advice, insight, and continuous learning.
✔ Step two: Learn how to motivate people.
The 3 Pillars of Team Motivation
After over five decades of working closely with hundreds of excellent leaders and their teams, I have identified and repeatedly confirmed that three key factors motivate engagement and performance in people: vision, autonomy, and growth.
Vision
People want to be part of something important.
They want what they’re doing to matter. They want to not only understand the vision of their team and organization, but to also believe in it.
You don’t need to be saving the world in order to cast such a vision. Simply take the time to think through your core values as an organization. Ask, “Why is this important? What is key to us being here, doing what we’re doing?” Then communicate that message to your team.
This process is essential, powerful, and far too often overlooked.
Autonomy
People hate to be micromanaged.
True or not, micromanagement communicates two messages that kill motivation: “I don’t trust you” and “I think you’re incompetent.”
On the other hand, when you give your team members assignments and invite them to ask questions, gain clarity, and then charge in on their own, you communicate exactly the opposite message. You say, “I trust you” and “I believe you can do this.” That is incredibly motivating.
Bonus: Your team members will learn and grow farther, faster when given the autonomy to do so. And they will take greater ownership in the organization and its vision.
In short, they will be more engaged and effective.
Growth
Your people want to receive input, attend seminars, participate in training programs, read great and informative magazines like this one, and have access to help, coaching, and development in their area of focus.
Too many leaders go to their people and say, “You should be better at X” or “You should improve Y,” but they don’t support them in doing so. So, what they communicate is a lack of investment in that person’s long-term success, which in turn makes that person less invested in the organization and its goals.
If you want a team made up of valuable people, show your people that you value them by supporting their growth.
People want to be developed. They want to feel — throughout their lives and careers — that they are growing and improving, becoming better at what they do.
The Results of Effective Motivation
Motivated teams are engaged, and engaged teams are effective. As a high-potential leader, you have a unique opportunity to ignite the people you work with — and improve your own outcomes in the process.
Set the vision. Unleash autonomy. Nourish growth. It is now your responsibility and a great honor to do so — one your career and your people will thank you for.
Best of luck to you.
About the Author: Through strategic visioning and in-the-moment issue resolution, Bill Munn helps executives manage teams to their greatest potential. As a 32-year management-coaching veteran and former Dow 30 top executive, Bill has supported hundreds of corporate leaders worldwide with practical wisdom, real-world action tools, and out-of-the-box insight. An MBA and former professor of fi nance and economics, Bill is a dynamic public speaker and Amazon best-selling author of Why Make Eagles Swim? Embracing Natural Strengths in Leadership & Life and Lead or Be Led.
The wait is over. Join Heat Treat Today in welcoming a new group of rising industry leaders for the fifth year in a row! Heat Treat Today is honored to recognize forty young professionals in the North American heat treat industry as the 40 Under 40 Class of 2022.
Heat TreatToday’s 40 Under 40 was created to bring recognition to young professionals in the industry, giving names, faces, and words to the rising generation of industry professionals. In this original content article, released on the final day to nominate someone to Heat TreatToday’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2022, we caught up with exemplary classmates from past years to hear where they are now and what comments they have about the industry.
Justin Powell
It has been 15 years since, "at the age of 19, I started working for a company that serviced high temperature furnaces and industrial combustion systems. I cut my teeth in the industry by doing burner retrofits and turnkey system installations."
Since being nominated to receive Heat TreatToday’s 40 Under 40award, Justin says he has "started a company called MP Combustion with my very good friend, Ryan McClain. We literally started the company working out of our basements in 2019 and with the support of this wonderful industry have since grown to a team of six with hopes to expand to more employees soon. Our team works hard to support the heat treat community by supplying the best combustion equipment and technical support in the industry." Justin notes that starting MP Combustion is "easily the highlight of my career so far."
When asked what his favorite thing about the industry is, he commented, "The never-ending learning curve. I love to learn, and this industry has a seemingly endless supply of new skills to learn and hone. I also have a great admiration for the people in this industry, they are always willing to help teach and learn from one another. It's an amazing community to be a part of!"
As a final word of advice for the winners being selected to Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 this summer, Justin encourages them, saying, "My friends, this is only the beginning. I wish you all great success throughout your career and hope that our paths meet along the way!"
Jaime got involved in the world of heat treat seven years ago, seeking "a job opportunity in Engineering and Project Management and in automotive, power generator, or automation." Since receiving the award, Jaime has "received a promotion from Engineering Manager to Operations Manager in MATTSA FURNACE COMPANY, expanding my area of responsibilities to equipment manufacturing without [fully] leaving engineering and project management."
His aptitude to pivot is evident in what he finds most exciting about heat treating: "Every day is a new challenge for me, from receiving and managing new projects to helping our clients to solve issues or coordinate the activities of MATTSA plant with all the personnel involved. All these activities and the way I solve them make me excited every day when I arrive at my workplace."
"Receiving this nomination is an honor," Jaime shares, "it is a way of showing the world the talent you have, in addition to showing that being young is not synonymous with being inexperienced, but that our generation can do great things with a lot of dedication and effort. Never stop fighting for what you want and show that your talent is world class."
For Miguel, it has been six years of service in the heat treat industry. "I started in 2016," he commented, "with an internship program, in the John Deere materials laboratory. I had the opportunity to collaborate in the development of suppliers, certify the quality and mechanical properties of treated parts, participate in the design of new heat treat recipes and the introduction of new processes. Those were the first steps in the world of heat treat. After the internship and thanks to that experience, I was hired as the engineer in charge of John Deere's heat treatment lines."
Over the past few years since nomination, Miguel notes that his role in heat treatment "has changed a lot. My position evolved to a Sr. level with more responsibilities and challenges, including renewing the technology of our lines, implementing improvements to make processes more efficient and achieving cost and expense reductions. I was awarded trade secrets for these upgrades." He continues, saying, "I am currently working on fully exploiting the capacity of our equipment, focusing on cost reductions, reducing gas consumption, and improving emissions."
It's the science paired with experimentation in heat treat that continues to interest Miguel: "What I like the most is that it is a true science, it requires a lot of experimentation and generating hypotheses. My colleagues tell me that they are like occult arts or magic, since two parts that look the same can be completely different inside."
To the upcoming 40 Under 40 Class of 2022, Miguel offers a challenge: "Although the literature on HT is many years old, there is always an opportunity to innovate and create different things and different ways of doing things. Experiment and ask yourself many things. and this will become more than a job, a different experience day by day. Very challenging and fun."
Instead of a traditional Heat Treat Radio podcast this Thursday, we’re featuring a message from Bethany Leone, an editor at Heat TreatToday and the 40 Under 40 coordinator. This prestigious heat treat award opened for the fifth year this Monday, and we want to hear from you about who will be the next winners in Heat TreatToday’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2022. Find out why you should nominate in the video below and then listen to two leaders from the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 as they speak about their heat treating experience.
Listen to how 40 Under 40 leaders describe their involvement in the industry
At “3:00 a.m. in the third shift,” Erika finds the most fascinating thing in heat treat industry: “support from people with much more experience than me. They provide the tools I need and show me the resources available in the industry to solve problems.”
Read more about Erika Zarazua, winner from the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021here.
“Over the past few years, we’ve gone from only using traditional manufacturing techniques to make inductor coils to now using 3D printing and additive manufacturing to achieve more complex designs and tackle more complex problems.” Brendan is excited to see how these developments and induction heating will continue to develop over the next five years.
Read more about Brendan Evans, winner from the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021here.
After the fourth annual nomination for Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 came to a close, Bethany Leone, editor at Heat TreatToday, shared what type of leaders would be recognized in the September 2021 Trade Showmagazine. Check out pages 32-55 for the full list of rising young leaders in the North American heat treat market.
Bethany Leone Heat Treat Daily / Heat Treat Radio Editor
Where did you come from? I mean, before you got into heat treating. And how did you become the heat treater that your colleagues know you to be today?
If you are like most people, heat treating was something that you fell into. You didn’t plan to go into the family business, but you did; your other opportunity at your dream job fell through and someone offered you this position; you were waiting for the chance of a lifetime and decided to pursue heat treat instead. . . .
The stories go on. Mundane, perhaps more often than not, but very much our stories.
Among the ordinariness of moving from point A to point B and making the small decisions to take on a new customer or take on a new cleaning or processing technology, we find rising young leaders of the heat treat market. The general manager at a small plant who continues to impress his colleagues and employer, or the young female operations handler whose capable, can-do attitude has driven her to vice president are the constantly felt, though not often recognized, leaders in our sphere.
Determining what is a leader is the first step to recognize these invaluable figures in our ordinary lives, hidden behind their families, books-of-the-month, and job transitions. But how to talk about a good leader? How do you put into words what is felt and not spoken? It’s a difficult question, but the best answer I can give you: tell a story.
These stories show hard work and initiative from one step to the next. . .
"Erick developed successful bilingual/bicultural work instructions and created a seamless process to develop new equipment using local resources, all during demanding project schedules and in the middle of the COVID crisis."
Leadership stories highlight cultivated talent on display. . .
"Lindsey’s communications background has helped Advanced Heat Treat Corp’s growth in technical material content for customers [. . .] Lindsey’s marketing expertise has increased AHT’s website traffic year-after-year, with a 45% increase since the pandemic."
A good story moves people with cutting edge reality and humanity of a leader. . .
"With [Matthew’s] newly acquired purchase of his first home, he is honing his abilities as a handyman from rough carpentry to finish work. Applying his perfectionist personality to every job, it’s truly hard to tell if it was done by him or a professional."
As you peel through these pages to look for the next technical article or skim for an advertiser who will meet your needs, pause for a moment with fresh eyes on the incredible narratives that make up Heat TreatToday’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2021.
Young people today get a bad rap. Karen Gantzer, managing editor at Heat TreatToday, disagrees! The leadership, initiative, and problem-solving skills of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 are truly inspiring. In the heat treat industry, it appears youth isn't such a bad thing after all. In this article, read what Karen has to say about some of the young people on the team at Heat Treat Today.
This article was originally published in Heat Treat Today's August 2021 Automotiveprint edition.
Karen Gantzer Managing Editor Heat TreatToday
I find it very inspiring to work with young people in this industry. Contrary to what is sometimes heard in the world at large, many of the young people I’ve had the privilege of working with in the North American heat treat market are intelligent, conscientious, respectful, hard-working adults worth their weight in gold. They’re a real pleasure to be around. As this column is being typed, Heat Treat Today is working on selecting 40 young leaders in the North American heat treat market to be inducted into the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021, a great honor for each person, and a great honor for the 120 previous inductees, the 40 Under 40 Classes of 2018, 2019, and 2020. It’s amazing how difficult it is to pick 40 each year from those nominated. Nearly all of them are more than qualified, but only 40 can be selected. The judges invariably struggle each year. That is a GREAT problem to have, and it speaks to the quality of the young people in this industry. Although these young people will probably never make it into one of the 40 Under 40 classes, I would like to mention several under-40 individuals who contribute substantially to the North American heat treat market each and every day – the young people of Heat Treat Today – all of whom are less than 40 years old and all of whom are simply stellar people.
Ellen Porter Billing, Accounting, Audience Development
Bethany Funk-Leone is the Heat Treat Daily editor as well as the Heat Treat Radio editor and resident idea person along with Doug. We sometimes have to pivot at the last minute and Bethany flexes with grace, determination, and wit, as she juggles multiple responsibilities and stays ahead of the game.
Brandon Glenn is our art and web design expert. When we need a logo or image, a tweak on the website, or a last-minute edit on the Heat Treat Daily, Brandon is our man; and he always comes through with precision, kindness and often a comment that makes us laugh.
Ellen Glenn-Porter wears several hats—billing/accounting/audience development—and makes sure that important admin is completed on time. She faithfully connects with you in the industry and is always diligent to make sure the rest of the team is aware of needs, encouragement, or concerns that are sent to her.
Lauren Porter Production Manager
Alyssa Bootsma Social Media Editor
Jonathan Lloyd Audio and Podcast Editor
Lauren Porter, Heat Treat Today production manager, is our newest team member. She has been Doug’s right hand person and done yeoman’s work in getting the print magazines, e-blasts, and other media out to you all as well as working with advertisers.
Alyssa Bootsma is our social media editor. She has taken excellent initiative on the various platforms and has grown our presence significantly. It has been exciting to see her grow and succeed in an area that had been unfamiliar to her, but one which she has embraced.
Jonathan Lloyd, Heat Treat Today's talented audio/podcast editor, ensures the excellence of Heat Treat Radio and other multimedia endeavors. His expertise and creativity in the audio and visual world is a huge asset as he helps us maintain a cutting edge.
The old-timers, Doug Glenn and I, couldn’t be happier to be working with this youthful group, who keeps us sharp and current! And, while they might never be in Heat Treat Today's40 Under 40, they are our "Top 6" list of great people serving the North American heat treat market.
At the time of David’s nomination for Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2019, he was working in Process & Mechanical Design as a heat treating furnace engineer for L&L Special Furnace Co., Inc. Here he shares an exciting career (and company) update: “The biggest change since I was nominated to Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 is that I have taken over ownership of L&L Special Furnace Co. I became full owner of the business in January 2023.” 
Sasha Tupalo, the manager of Thermatool Labs at Thermatool Corp., was recognized in 2019 as a 40 Under 40 rising star, and she has more than lived up to this award; she answers the call of leadership through educating others and managing a variety of projects. In this 
Justin Powell
Jaime Sanchez
Miguel Humberto Fajardo
Instead of a traditional 
