Zach’s journey at Alcast began when he was just 18 years old, marking the start of a dedicated career in industrial maintenance. His early passion for hands-on work, mechanics, machinery, design, engineering, and more started young due to growing up in a family of mechanics and do-it-yourselfers. During high school, Zach began developing his skills in fine woodworking, construction, and auto mechanics, along with designing & building hovercrafts. These skills were further nurtured in a manufacturing environment. During high school, he participated in a specialized program through PERFECT which involved industrial repair training, early college classes, and job shadowing at Caterpillar’s Mapleton foundry. This immersive experience sparked Zach’s interest in manufacturing and the foundry industry. This set the foundation for his future endeavors and led to his graduating from Illinois Central College with a degree in industrial maintenance.

Upon joining Alcast part-time in February 2004, Zach quickly proved his capabilities and commitment. Within a year and a half, he transitioned to a full-time role, demonstrating a keen ability to tackle diverse responsibilities within the company. Zach learned from some of the people who built Alcast into the premier permanent mold aluminum foundry that it was and later became trusted to implement his ideas. Over the years, Zach assumed increasing responsibilities, eventually taking charge of all maintenance operations and specializing in the foundry and Alcast’s proprietary electromagnetic pumps, showcasing his dedication to continuous learning and skill development.

Zach’s role expanded further as he took on facilities management responsibilities. During challenging times such as the 2008-2009 recession, Zach’s versatility and leadership were pivotal in managing both production and maintenance responsibilities effectively. Around 2014, Zach was officially appointed Assistant Facilities Manager, overseeing almost all aspects of maintenance. In 2020 with the retirement of Dave Willi, Zach’s boss and mentor, Zach became Facilities Manager taking on the responsibilities of new construction projects, machine updates, expansions, etc. His multifaceted role also involves outreach efforts, involvement with the American Foundry Society, website design initiatives that have helped bring in new customers, and collaboration efforts with Illinois Central College on apprenticeship programs.

Zach has also been actively involved in educational outreach, notably at Woodruff Career and Tech, where he supports initiatives to promote technical and career education, providing internship opportunities to high school seniors and fostering a pipeline of skilled talent. His advocacy for apprenticeships and skilled trades culminated in several speaking engagements, including an event with the US Secretary of Education, where he highlighted the importance of vocational training and hands-on learning experiences. By February 2025, Zach will celebrate 21 years at Alcast, a testament to his enduring dedication and contribution to the company’s growth and operational excellence.