Matthew Donelson
WALNUT COVE,NC
Summary
Manufacturing operations and technical engineering expert with a strong background in CNC machining and process optimization. Achieved multi-million-dollar cost savings through effective tooling strategies and cycle time improvements. Led cross-functional teams to boost production efficiency in high-volume settings.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Pastor (Bi-Vocational)
Independent Baptist Church
Walnut Cove, North Carolina
12.2020 - Current
- Supported Senior Pastor in church leadership through teaching, counseling, administration, and ministry coordination.
- Develop and deliver structured teaching materials, presentations, and leadership instruction.
- Mentored individuals while fostering communication and organizational leadership within the community.
- Balanced bi-vocational ministry with full-time leadership in manufacturing and technical fields.
- Earned Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry while balancing full-time manufacturing leadership responsibilities.
Cutting Tool Specialist
Butler Brothers onsite at Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Mayodan, North Carolina
01.2019 - Current
- Delivered over $1 million annually in documented manufacturing cost savings through tooling optimization, machining improvements, and cycle time reduction initiatives.
- Led manufacturing bottleneck reduction projects that improved throughput in one-piece-flow production environments.
- Manage 20–30 simultaneous engineering and tooling projects involving machining optimization, tooling implementation, and production improvement activities.
- Spearheaded multi-year rollout integrating engineers, distributors, vendors, and manufacturing teams into centralized collaborative workflow system.
- Developed and implemented enterprise-style project management workflow using Hive improving: project tracking, engineering communication, documentation control, accountability, historical project retention.
- Developed vendor engagement procedures, communication standards, action plans, and implementation processes that enhanced supplier coordination and project execution.
- Created tooling inventory management system tracking tooling assets, testing costs, inventory exposure, and tooling disposition activities.
- Reduced undocumented tooling loss through standardized tooling control and inventory tracking procedures.
- Coordinate tooling evaluations involving: solid carbide tooling, indexable tooling, gundrills, reamers, chamfer mills, high-feed milling, specialty tooling applications.
- Analyze CNC programs, fixturing, machining strategies, and production flow to identify productivity gains and manufacturing improvements.
- Utilize Autodesk Fusion, HSMAdvisor, G-Wizard, and CNC simulation software to support tooling analysis and machining strategy development.
- Conducted tooling failure analysis, tool life studies, and machining evaluations to optimize manufacturing productivity and enhance tooling performance.
- Provide on-site manufacturing support, tooling engineering, process optimization, and operational improvement support within high-volume firearms manufacturing environment.
- Develop technical presentations, test documentation, cost savings reports, and manufacturing support documentation for engineering leadership.
Technical Specialist
Seco Tools
Walnut Cove, North Carolina
12.2012 - 01.2019
- Increased tooling sales within major customer accounts by more than 100% through technical support and strategic relationship development.
- Generated more than $2 million in documented manufacturing savings through tooling and machining process improvements.
- Supported tooling, fixturing, machining strategies, and manufacturing optimization for major production launch activities.
- Delivered technical troubleshooting and application engineering support, ensuring operational continuity in demanding production environments.
- Supported customers with CNC programming analysis, tooling strategies, and machining optimization.
- Conducted training on machining strategies, tooling applications, and productivity improvements.
- Established and nurtured long-term relationships with customers and distributors, strengthening network across assigned territory.
- Played key role in developing strategic manufacturing partnership with Crown Equipment Corporation.
- Provided cutting tool application support and optimized manufacturing processes, enhancing technical sales support for customers and distribution partners.
Manufacturing Engineer
Custom Industries
Greensboro, North Carolina
12.2008 - 12.2012
- Led a large textile machinery build project and demonstrated strong technical and leadership capabilities.
- Managed full project lifecycle: coordinated outsourced components, oversaw assembly, and handled packaging, shipping logistics, installation support, and production runoff activities.
- Developed CNC programs using process plans, fixture layouts, tooling packages, and machine specifications.
- Supported troubleshooting in production and implemented process improvements to enhance manufacturing efficiency.
- Assisted machinists and engineering teams with production readiness and machining optimization.
- Maintained CNC programming and manufacturing engineering responsibilities while managing high-visibility customer projects.
President / Owner
M & M Disposal, Inc.
North Port, Florida
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Acquired and operated construction debris cleanup and roll-off container business, capitalizing on Florida's construction expansion.
- Negotiated exclusive waste removal support agreement for large retirement community development project.
- Managed operations of commercial trucks, roll-off containers, and grading support equipment, ensuring effective logistics, scheduling, and customer support.
- Coordinated contractors and managed site support operations.
President / Owner / Licensed Real Estate Broker
Matthew James Realty, LLC
North Port, Florida
12.2002 - 12.2008
- Purchased, renovated, and resold investment properties generating six-figure combined profits.
- Built and maintained rental property portfolio producing recurring income streams.
- Oversaw residential real estate transactions, property investments, rehabilitation projects, and rental operations to ensure successful outcomes.
- Coordinated budgeting, construction, customer transactions, and property improvements to enhance project execution.
Technical Director • Engineering Manager • Manufacturing Technician
Panther Crankshaft
Wixom, Michigan
01.1991 - 12.2002
- Directed major manufacturing projects and customer programs from launch through production.
- Oversaw project execution and ensured customer satisfaction, enhancing profitability and operational performance.
- Managed engineering personnel, facilitating CNC programming, fixture development, tooling applications, and process improvement initiatives.
- Supported lean manufacturing, QS-9000 implementation, GD&T applications, and continuous improvement programs.
- Designed tooling, gauges, and manufacturing processes improving productivity and quality.
- Programmed and set up CNC lathes, machining centers, grinders, robotic systems, induction hardening equipment, and thread rolling machines.
- Advanced through technical and leadership roles, contributing to company growth and manufacturing expansion.
Process Technician
MascoTech
Farmington Hills, Michigan
01.1987 - 01.1991
- Maintained and repaired CNC production equipment to ensure optimal operational performance.
- Supported manufacturing engineering by conducting preventative maintenance and troubleshooting production issues.
- Assisted with new product launches and provided equipment support to facilitate smooth integration into production.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree - Ministry Leadership
Andersonville Theological Seminary
Camilla, GA05-2021
Some College (No Degree) - CAD/CAM, CNC Programming, Technical Mathematics, Gauging & Measurement
Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MISome College (No Degree) - Business
Oakland Community College
Farmington, MISome College (No Degree) - Computer Aided Drafting
Schoolcraft Community College
Livonia, MISkills
- Cutting tool engineering
- CNC programming
- Tool Path Optimization
- Tool Life Optimization
- Manufacturing Engineering
- GD&T Interpretation
- Lean Manufacturing
- Cycle Time Reduction
- Throughput optimization
- Bottleneck Analysis
- Manufacturing Process Improvement
- Fixture & Gauge Design
- Manufacturing Project Management
- Process Troubleshooting
- Manufacturing Operations Leadership
- Client Relationship Management
- Team coordination
Technical Certifications And Training
- Okuma CNC Programming
- Miyano CNC Programming
- Turnos CNC Programming
- KMX CNC Programming
- Zeiss C700 CMM Programming
- Omnex QOS Systems
- Process Flow, FMEA & Control Plans
- SME Cellular Manufacturing
- SME Visual Factory
- Franklin Covey — 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Fred Pryor Management Training
- Pneumatic Logic & Schematics Training
Key Career Achievements
- Delivered over $1 million annually in documented manufacturing cost savings through tooling optimization and machining process improvements at Sturm, Ruger & Co.
- Generated more than $2 million in customer manufacturing savings during tenure with Seco Tools.
- Increased major customer tooling sales by more than 100% through strategic account development and technical manufacturing support.
- Developed enterprise-style project management and vendor integration system supporting 20–30 simultaneous manufacturing improvement projects.
- Led tooling inventory management initiative improving accountability, inventory tracking, and tooling asset visibility.
- Managed exclusive waste removal support contract for large-scale Florida retirement community construction project.
- Purchased, renovated, and resold multiple investment properties generating six-figure combined profits.
- Led full lifecycle execution of large textile machinery manufacturing and installation project.
- Earned Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry while simultaneously serving in bi-vocational pastoral leadership and full-time manufacturing leadership roles.
Timeline
Associate Pastor (Bi-Vocational)
Independent Baptist Church
12.2020 - Current
Cutting Tool Specialist
Butler Brothers onsite at Sturm, Ruger & Co.
01.2019 - Current
Technical Specialist
Seco Tools
12.2012 - 01.2019
Manufacturing Engineer
Custom Industries
12.2008 - 12.2012
President / Owner
M & M Disposal, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2008
President / Owner / Licensed Real Estate Broker
Matthew James Realty, LLC
12.2002 - 12.2008
Technical Director • Engineering Manager • Manufacturing Technician
Panther Crankshaft
01.1991 - 12.2002
Process Technician
MascoTech
01.1987 - 01.1991
Bachelor’s Degree - Ministry Leadership
Andersonville Theological Seminary
Some College (No Degree) - CAD/CAM, CNC Programming, Technical Mathematics, Gauging & Measurement
Henry Ford Community College
Some College (No Degree) - Business
Oakland Community College
Some College (No Degree) - Computer Aided Drafting
Schoolcraft Community College