Blaze Daniel
TVA PSS
Florence
13
years of professional experience
Safety and results driven Shop Machinist and Chief Steward with 13 years experience. Expertise in mechanical properties, metal sciences, component designs, CNC/Conventional machining, as well as field machining and turbine maintenance. With a strong commitment to safety. Trained and established within Tennessee Valley Authority procedures and processes while working both inside and outside the TVA 7-state region to the highest safety and quality standards. Adept at mentoring others, optimizing processes, and building relationships to drive improvements within the organization.
Work History
Shop Machinist/PSS Chief Steward
3 Years 9 Months- Continuing my career as a Machinist, focused on honing my skills further and helping others with less experience in the trade to further their skills and abilities. Mentoring apprentices and slowly becoming more involved with helping with the IAM apprenticeship.
- In July of 2025 I was appointed Machinist Chief Steward for PSS. Later ran unopposed in November of 2025. In my time of performing my steward duties I’ve managed to also keep up with my workload as a Machinist on the floor, while also taking on the responsibilities of becoming a contributing member to several Safety and Improvement committees. Such as Safety Shield Team, Health and Safety Committee, Shop Machining Improvement Subcommittee, Power Hand Tool Improvement, Machine Guarding/Interlocks, and helping with the Cornerstone program at times.
- New responsibilities have given me new opportunities to learn and grow in my career. Such as working with Management and IAM to help aid in man power necessities. Keeping track of overtime hours worked by utilizing Excel. Administering Springbolt qualification testing. Building relationships with NWSCC and their Workforce Development Program. Working with HR to aid in getting information needed by my fellow Machinist. Utilizing ECM for information. Wage negotiations, communications, and relationship building.
- Operated CNC machines to produce precision components in accordance with specifications.
- Conducted routine maintenance on machinery to ensure optimal performance and reduce downtime.
- Interpreted blueprints and technical drawings to accurately set up machining processes.
- Collaborated with team members to troubleshoot production issues, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Journeyman Machinist
7 Years 1 Month- Set-up and operated Field Machining Equipment including but not limited to climax boring machines, climax facing heads, knee mills, tapping machines, portable lathes, coupling boring heads, journal turning equipment, grinding machines, portable mills, 2” through 8” boring bars, laser alignment, portable welding machines, honing machines, hand tools and polishing.
- Setup, programming, and operation of manual and CNC shop equipment. Such as horizontal boring mills, vertical mills, horizontal lathes, vertical lathes, tapping machines, grinders, saws, drill presses, shapers, planers, honing and welding machines. Assisted in babbitt bearing pouring, scraping, and bond testing. Programmed FANUC, MAZATROL, HAAS, and G&L CNC equipment.
- Performed corrective maintenance in field to Gas, Fossil, Hydro, and Nuclear turbine generator equipment and the associated supporting components. Assumed responsibility by accepting a leading role in directing and mentoring a small crew and machinist apprentices.
- Collaborated with engineers to optimize machining processes and improve product quality.
- Assisted in training new machinists, sharing expertise and best practices for optimal performance.
- Contributed to a safer work environment by adhering to company safety protocols and maintaining clean workspaces.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to develop custom parts for specific projects.
- Expedited project timelines by effectively prioritizing tasks and managing time efficiently.
- Studied daily work packages, JI's, Procedures, sketches, drawings, blueprints.
Machinist
1 Year 3 Months- Operated manual lathes, mills, drill presses, planers, shapers, saws, and grinders.
- Fabricated, assembled, and inspected metal-working equipment for industrial sale and use.
- Trained in detail blue-print interpretation and design specifications.
- Trained work scope planning, component layout and machine loading.
- Trained in safety specifications and standards.
Machinist/Welder
3 Months- Trained in safe welding practices and applications as applied to structural welding.
- Trained in blue-print interpretation and application.
- Trained in sheet metal cutting and bending.
- Operated lathes, mills, drills, sanders, grinders.
- Obtained welding certifications in MIG and TIG.
- Fabricated, assembled, and welded metalworks for structural steel.
- Trained in blue-print interpretation and application.
Machinist
4 Months- Educated in the fundamentals in the safe operation of lathes, mills, drills, grinders.
- Trained and operated lathes, mills, drills, grinders in fabrication of extrusion dies.
- Machined flat and extrusion dies to blueprint specifications.
Education
Machinist 1 Graduate - Machining
High School Diploma
Skills
TVA trained in Safety
clearance procedure use and adherence
HU Tools
Energy Based Safety
Cornerstone
TVA Rigging and Overhead Crane trained
Annual Spring-bolt Qualified
Communication and conflict resolution
Mentorship of apprentices and other co-workers
Negotiations
Budgeting
Cost Estimation
Use of Microsoft Word
Maximo
Excell
Power Point
Utilizing and understanding work packages and JI’s while performing work
Journeyman Machinist and Dual-rated Foreman experience
Hydro
Gas
Fossil
and Nuclear Turbine maintenance (shop and field)
CNC Programming
Setup
and Operation
Field Machining
Troubleshooting and problem solving
Structural Welding/Welding Procedures
Turbine Blading
Assembly / Disassembly of turbines
valves
pumps
bearings
gearboxes
servos
oil systems
fans
motors
and more
Blueprint Drawing and Interpretation
Reverse Engineering
Static Balancing
Conventional/Manual Machining
Quality Assurance
Inspection
and Testing
Babbitt Bearing Pouring
Scraping
and Fabrication
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Timeline
Shop Machinist/PSS Chief Steward
TVA PSS
11.2022 - CurrentRead More
Journeyman Machinist
GUBMK Constructors/PSS
10.2015 - 11.2022Read More
Machinist
RJE Machinery
07.2014 - 10.2015Read More
Machinist/Welder
Barnett Iron Works
04.2014 - 07.2014Read More
Machinist
American Machine & Tool
12.2013 - 04.2014Read More
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Machinist 1 Graduate from Machining
Read More
Collinwood High School
High School Diploma
Read More