Dusty Cook

• I started this business alongside with my business partner. This started as a side job in the same building I did my taxidermy business. As the years went on Bluegrass Metal Creations grew and took over. So I stopped doing taxidermy and went full time into the metal fabrication side.
• I was in charge of ordering supplies, CAD designs, customer ordering products, business tax records, book keeping installing equipment, painting, sanding, some minor welding, business plans and customer relationship.
• Utilized various metalworking tools such as shears, press brakes, plasma cutters, and punches to produce precise cuts and bends in sheet metals.
• Reduced material waste by optimizing cutting patterns and improving inventory management systems.
• Improved work area organization by implementing efficient storage solutions for tools, materials, and finished products.
• Contributed to cost savings by identifying opportunities for process improvements and recommending changes in materials or equipment usage.
• Negotiated with suppliers for better pricing on raw materials, reducing project costs.
• Conducted rigorous quality control checks, ensuring all products met strict industry standards.

Military

• 2004 -2006 I went to basic training and Advance Individual Training were I became a medic and getting my EMT certification, and started as a medic with 1/623 rd Field Artillery.
• From October 2006 to February 2008 I was deployed to Baghdad Iraq where I was a medic doing base defense medical coverage and worked in the Emergency Room. I was responsible for treatment of basic sick call to medical emergencies of combat casualties.
• 2008 to 2016 I was medical section chief fro the 1/623 rd Field Artillery out of Glasgow KY. During this time I was responsible for 4 to 12 medics under me. During this time I was responsible for ordering medical supplies, developing training for Soldiers to be first line medical support ( Combat Life Savers) to stop major life threats until trained medical staff could take over.
• 2009 was lead medic for the Western side of the state during the ice storm where we were responsible for 300 Soldiers and 250 Civilians medical care. I was responsible to reporting to local and state officials on what we needed medical wise from outside resources of the National Guard to provide medical care.
• 2012 to 2014 in 2012 I was brought on fulltime orders to prepare for our deployment to Jordan to prepare the medical side of the unit. From January 2013 till October 2013 I was the Senior medic while on deployment to Jordan I was responsible scheduling all medical coverage for surrounding units, tracked medical care over 2,500 patients that came though the Troop Medical Clinic (TMC), 1,200 trips from TMC to various local medical clinics and hospitals. I worked with local Jordanian hospitals daily developing a relationship with a host nation.
• 2016 to 2024 Sargent First Class (SFC) I was promoted and went to Joint Force Headquarters were I was a medic covering the whole unit . I was responsible for medical coverage for ranges, teaching medical classes, and various other medical needs.
• 2021 I was assigned to a unit in Indiana ( Operation Group Wolf) to be the senior medic overseeing medical operations for deploying units going overseas. I was responsible to make sure training units held to a strict standards of medical operations before deployment. I was responsible to making sure that units got required training and held to standards and had to make sure all reports were done in a timely manner.
• June 2024 I'm currently the First Sargent over the 1163rd Medical Company in Shelbyville KY. I currently have 60 plus Soldiers under me. I'm overseeing medical training, ensuring Soldiers are proficient in medical skills, coordinating with medical leadership to address any readiness concerns. Addressing personal issues, advocating for Soldiers needs and promoting positive morale within the company. Working with company commander to manage medical supplies , equipment and transportation needs. Working with Soldiers families are well- supported and connected to necessary resources. Holding medical personnel accountable for upholding military standards and ethical conduct.

• Started this business after my deployment to Jordan.
• I went to taxidermy my first time for a 12 week program at Kindred Spirits in Iowa were I learned the process of taxidermy on Mammals, fish, birds and retiles. I went back to to the same school for another 12 week course on advance taxidermy to help with better techniques on taxidermy and habitat building.
• I developed a business plan for my company and was responsible for ordering supplies, customer relationships, quality control, tax records, and budgeting.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
• Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.

• Efficiently planned routes for optimal time management.
• Consistently worked in other areas to help others and to get equipment ready for customers
• Maintained upbeat, positive attitude in busy, customer-focused environment.
• Inspected and maintained delivery vehicles regularly to keep in safe working order.
• Loaded truck and properly secured items to prevent damage for deliveries.
• Verified accuracy of all deliveries against order forms.

• Measured and cut materials in adherence to schematic drawings.
• Completed general finish work and sanding.
• Contributed to customer satisfaction by delivering high-quality, handcrafted products tailored to their needs.
• Consistently met deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality control for all finished products.
• Streamlined assembly processes for improved productivity in large-scale woodworking projects.
• Maximized the usage of available space within the workshop, designing storage solutions for tools and materials effectively organized according to frequency of use and job requirements.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of sanders, saws and routers and other equipment.

• Maintained tight tolerances with design specifications.
• Adhered to strict quality control standards by using precision measuring tools such as micrometers or calipers during the inspection process of finished products.
• Coordinated with team members to ensure smooth workflow, sharing knowledge and expertise to optimize overall production performance.
• Kept accurate operating records by documenting machine usage, production numbers and any issues that arose.
• Enhanced workplace safety by following all company protocols and guidelines during daily operations.
• Maintained accurate records of all completed jobs, tracking progress throughout the production cycle to ensure timely delivery to customers.