Four years ago, Dave Showers came to Dominion to fill the role as Machine Shop Supervisor with 20 years experience managing machine shops overall.

Right out of high school, Dave got a job working for his dad as a heavy equipment operator, and after about four years, a job posting surfaced for a tool and die maker.

"I signed up, got it, and they sent me to school," Dave said. "I've been doing this my whole life."

Dave has held a few jobs throughout his career - always starting by running machines and was always encouraged to work his way up to machine shop supervisor.

At Dominion, Dave started as a supervisor, and the people are what really allow him enjoy his job every day.

"There's a great bunch of guys out there. I've got 16 guys under my wing and every one of them is intelligent..." he said.

Dave is proud of his ability to be a great mentor. He has the ability to see potential in people and sticks up for them.

Dave recounted a story about one man in the machine shop. After making some poor decisions, he was let go.

Dave said a few attempts were made to fill the position, but the new hires didn’t have the same ambition as the employee that left months prior. He fought hard to get this man his job back. He saw talent and potential in him – after a six-month fight, Dave brought him back under many stipulations. Now, he is one of Dave’s most valuable and well-rounded employees in the machine shop.

Dave also enjoys his ability to make a difference - especially when it comes to improving technology to make the shop and equipment faster, better and safer.

“When I first started, I noticed we were in the Stone Ages. All the machining here - everything was old school and very slow. I knew I could make a difference and I know I have,” he said. “The second day I was here I asked my boss, ‘Why don’t we have a laser?’ and he said, ‘We don’t need one.’”

— Dave Showers

At the time Dave first started, all the material that needed to be laser cut was outsourced to another company. This was an expensive and time consuming process that was losing the company a lot of money - about $110,000 per year on laser work alone.

He eventually found a used laser from Texas for $100,000 and brought it to Dominion.

"Ed told me within two months it paid for itself," Dave said.

Outside of work, Dave loves to go camping with his family and enjoys hunting, fishing and trapping on his property up north. His family has been going there since 1968.