Jesse

Metal Shop Foreman

Jess completed a one-year boatbuilding course at the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design in 2002 and then began his career at Van Dam. He very quickly developed an aptitude for metal working, honing his skills on the lathe and mill, as well as developing the impressive ability of being able to TIG weld with either hand. Jess now does the majority of the metal work that you see done at Van Dam, including, but not limited to, the very impressive cutwaters. Jess is the “go to” guy for custom gadgetry and mechanisms in the shop. Jess’s talents are not confined to the metal shop though, in his spare time one of his many interests are vegetable oil powered diesel engines, which he works on regularly. He also enjoys downhill skiing at local resorts. Jess gained some of his artistic abilities from his parents, who are both artists in western Michigan. Jess’s latest challenge is getting the new CNC machine up and running.

• Started at Van Dam: 2003
• Born in: Montaque, Michigan
• Graduated: Washtenaw Community College and the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design
• Favorite Projects to work on: Custom gadgetry and mechanisms
• CNC programmer and operator
• Mastercam certified
• ABYC certified in Marine Systems
• ABYC Certified in Marine Corrosion