Home

Company
Information

Manufacturing
Services

Literature &
Information

News & Events

Career
Opportunities

Manufacturing
Training

Supplier
Information

Contact Us

Request Quote

Site Map

Dave Lotz - Lead Instructor / Journeyman Tool & Die Maker

Dave Lotz came to Penn United in 1997 and joined the L.I.G.H.T. team in October of 2002.  He completed his apprenticeship as a Tool and Die Maker in 2001 while at Penn United.  Dave is known at L.I.G.H.T. as the "Jack of All Trades", because of his broad experiences in precision grinding, jig grinding, machining, die maintenance, and understanding of stamping.  Dave is a 1987 graduate of Penn State University where he received a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture.
Dave was a catalyst in incorporating the credentials of the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) into the curriculum of five of Penn United’s State approved apprenticeship programs. As a pilot company member for the NIMS program, he assisted the NIMS expert panel in validating the credentialing process for the machinist trade that resulted in the nation’s first-ever competency-based apprenticeship program. Primarily Dave instructs the apprentices and journeypersons of Penn United in all areas of machining, grinding, and stamping. Additionally, he develops and delivers customized training for external customers. Outside of work, Dave's past-times involve gardening and hunting.

Carl Thompson - Instructor / Journeyman Tool and Die Maker

Carl Thompson joined the Penn United team in 1993 as an experienced Journeyman Tool & Die Maker.  He has been honing his skills since his career began when Carl worked for General Electric, and then Arizona Gear & Manufacturing.  His previous responsibilities included building progressive stamping dies, plastic injection molds, jigs & fixtures for defense and computer components, for IBM, Hughes Aircrafter, Boeing, and Sperry Flight.  Carl’s total experience of 40 years includes knowledge in manual milling and lathe, including 7 years on the SIPS, as well as manual surface grinding, OD/ID, jig, and centerbed grinding. In his current position, Carl builds precision CNC grinders (Parker Majestic) and has also worked in jig grinding, prototype and automation areas for Penn United.  These various duties highlight Carl’s exceptional skills across a variety of machines and tools including lathes, jig bore, surface grinding, OD/ID grinding, thread grinding, wet grinding, jig grinding, cutter grinding, and heat treat.  Because of his wealth of experience and desire, Carl was the obvious choice to serve as one of our very first instructors and helped to establish Penn United’s in-house apprenticeship training program.   Carl’s humility and kindness make him a student favorite as he makes it easy to ask questions and very hard to “stump.”

Steve Berteotti - Instructor / Safety, Health and Environmental Engineer

Steve Berteotti came to Penn United Technologies in 2005 as part of the Human Resources Team.  He earned his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from Penn State University in 1979.  Prior to Penn United, Steve had 9 years of experience in Safety, Health and Environmental management plus 11 years in Quality management in the petroleum and pharmaceutical industry.  During that time, he was a member of Pennzoil Corporate EHS audit team, implemented Process Safety Management (PSM) for a petroleum manufacturing facility, implemented ISO 9001 for a petroleum / bulk pharmaceutical manufacturing company, and was an active member of the ASTM Wax Committee.   Steve has earned his Industrial Hygiene Certification; Lead Auditor ISO 9001 Certification; Auditor ISO 9001 and TS 16949 Certification; Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt Certification; and Instructor certification for OSHA 30-hour General Industry.
In his current position as Safety, Health and Environmental Engineer with Penn United, Steve is responsible for investigating serious injuries or near misses; evaluating and providing remedies for unsafe acts or conditions; developing procedures and processes to mitigate hazards; providing training to ensure safe work practices and OSHA compliance; leading company Lean events; and maintaining environmental compliance including DEP permits, inspections, and record keeping.

Scott Slezak - Instructor / Journeyman Machinist / Team Leader

Scott Slezak joined the Penn United Technologies team in 1994 as a Journeyman Machinist.  He has acquired skills in both jig and surface grinding as well as experience assembling and developing progressive carbide stamping dies.  Scott has a wide range of experience with most materials from plastics to hardened tool steel including stainless steels and high temperature alloys. He has acquired nearly twenty five years experience in machining, including a full range of manual machining capabilities in addition to seventeen years in CNC machining.  Scott’s breadth of experience also includes ability to program, set-up and operate up to 8-axis CNC turning centers as well as being an expert in developing and refining multi-axis turning processes.  Having a proficiency in MasterCAM, he is also capable of editing and creating G-code programs without CAM software. 

In 2007, Scott was selected for a leadership position and promoted to Team Leader of Components.  In his Team Leader position, Scott is responsible for scheduling team member hours, job assignments, supervising production goals, monitoring profit/loss information, and as well as training of team members.  

Scott Covert - Instructor / Journeyman Precision Grinder / Team Leader 

Scott Covert joined Penn United Technologies in 1990 as a Journeyman Precision Tool Grinder.  Although his expertise is in Surface and Contour Grinding, he has had prior experience in Heat Treating, Hardness Testing, and Electro-Plating.   In 2005, he was chosen for a leadership position and promoted to Team Leader for our Precision Assembly department, which serves our PennTek hand tool division in addition to medical and electronic component assembly.  In his Team Leader position, Scott is responsible for development and improvement of assembly processes and procedures utilizing Lean Manufacturing, scheduling employees work hours, scheduling production & shipping of product & inventory, and training of team members in shop procedures & measurement/inspection equipment.  Scott brings to the classroom 25 years experience in surface grinding, centerbed, and contour grinding but most importantly he brings his enthusiasm for metalworking.   Scott has continued to show a love of learning and teaching others about this industry by serving as a part-time Instructor at L.I.G.H.T. and a tour guide of our Penn United facilities for high school students interested in manufacturing.  Scott has furthered his education outside of work as well by earning his diploma in CNC Programming. 

Brian Barton  - Instructor / Journeyman Precision Grinder

Dan Casey  - Instructor / Journeyman Tool & Die Maker / Team Leader

Dan joined the Penn United Technologies team in 1995.  He entered the apprenticeship and earned his Journeyman Tool and Die Maker papers in 2000.  Dan’s area of tooling expertise lies in jig grinding; having over 13 years experience in manual jig grinding and over 10 years in CNC jig grinding.  Specifically, he is proficient with the MooreG18 and Moore #3 Manual Jig Grinders; Moore G48 NC Jig Grinder; and the Moore CP-450 NC Jig Grinder. As Team Leader, Dan is responsible for scheduling and coordinating all aspects of the jig grinding team including work flow, personnel, training apprentices and cross training in-house journeymen.    Dan has also earned his Associates degree in Business Administration.

Greg Claypoole  - Instructor / Journeyman Tool Maker

Eric Dittmer  - Instructor / Machine Design Engineer /Journeyman Precision Grinder

Kevin Green  - Instructor / Area Coordinator / Journeyman Precision Grinder

Kevin Green joined the Penn United team in 1998.   He advanced through his apprenticeship program, earning his Journeyman papers in 2002.  Kevin then was promoted to a Project Coordinator, then later to the Area Coordinator position. 

He brings to the training center his acquired skills in blanchard manual grinding, over 10 years CNC OD/ID grinding, as well as over 15 years experience in programming.  Kevin’s specialty training focus is grinding Carbide.

Rob Huffman - Instructor / Journeyman Quality Technician

Rob Huffman joined the Penn United Technologies’ Quality team in 2004.  Rob provides measurement training using Smart Scopes, and CMM’s including the UMC 850 Zeiss, Spectrum Zeiss CMM, Prismo Zeiss CMM, Prismo Navagator Zeiss CMM, and the Rondcom Zeiss.  He also brings experience in other measurement instruments, hand tools, calibration, heat-treating of tool grade steels and polishing. 

Rob has a BA in Political Science, BS ED in Secondary Education, and Masters in Public Administration in Borough Management.

D. Patrick Jones  - Instructor / Journeyman Tool & Die Designer / Team Leader

Pat began his career with Penn United Technologies in 1987.  In addition to his Journeyman Tool & Die Designer papers, he has earned his Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering at Grove City College and a Masters in Business Administration.   Pat has over 19 years experience in die design for the tool and die industry and currently serves in a leadership position as the Team Leader for Penn United’s Die Engineering team.  His care and attention to detail is not only evident in engineering, but also extends to the customers and students he serves. 

Kevin Kline  - Instructor / Senior Journeyman Quality Technician

Kevin started with Penn United Technologies in 2004 and progressed through the Quality apprenticeship program.  Having earned his Journeyman papers in Quality, he was later promoted to Senior Journeyman Quality Technician.  Kevin brings to the classroom over 5 years experience and skill in CMM, and multisensor measurement machines.

Patrick Magdinec - Instructor / Journeyman Machinist  / Team Leader

Patrick joined Penn United 1995 as a Journeyman Machinist bringing 14 years prior experience in manual machining including mill, lathe, and saw work.  At Penn United, he has since specialized in Wirecut, adding an additional 14 years expertise in wirecut and programming.   Pat currently serves in a leadership position as Team Leader for Penn United’s Wirecut Team.  He has also earned his Associates degree in Applied Science. 

James O’Donnell - Instructor / Journeyman Tool Maker / Team Leader

R. Douglas Orr - Instructor / Journeyman Tool & Die Maker / Team Leader

“Doug” Orr  joined Penn United Technologies in 1996 as an experienced Tool & Die Maker, having worked 14 years as a Machinist before coming to Penn United.   In his 30 years combined experience, Doug brings the following manual machining expertise to the classroom: lathe, mill, saws, DeVlieg, Sip, benchwork, drill press, blanchard sandwheels, and waterjet.   Doug currently works as a Team Leader in Penn United’s toolroom where he is responsible for workflow, training team members, and operating machines.   

William Thompson  - Instructor / Journeyman Quality Technician / Team Leader

William “Bill” Thompson began his career with Penn United Technologies in 1998.  He entered the apprenticeship program and earned his Journeyman Quality papers in 2000.   With continued training in quality, Bill was later promoted to his current position as a  Quality Engineer.   He brings to the classroom an expertise in the quality systems, including calibration, care/repair of measuring equipment, blueprint reading and understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD& T).  Bill shares his experience in inspection of critical parts and inspection equipment, CMM operation, and reading & understanding of inspection results.  Finally, his technical writing, problem solving, and root cause investigation skills have continued to be a valuable asset in improving manufacturing processes and in training others to do the same.    Prior to joining Penn United, Bill had 25 years experience in machining, assembly, inspection, and quality systems.

Jeff Wetzel  - Instructor / Journeyman Tool & Die Maker