THOMAS FORTUNE
Newton
Summary
Detail-oriented NDT technician skilled in ultrasonic testing, digital radiography, and liquid penetrant inspection, ensuring quality and safety in composite structures. Committed to continuous improvement and effective team collaboration, contributing to advanced inspection methods and operational excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
NDT Technician
JDH Inspection Services
Newton
01.2025 - Current
- Conducted non-destructive testing using RT, UT, PAUT, LPI, and VT methods to ensure safety.
- Gained over 2000 hours of visual inspection experience, enhancing quality assurance across diverse components.
- Completed ASNT SNT-TC-1A UT1 training; logged 210 OJT hours for Level I certification.
- Inspected composites for bonded joints and delaminations; assessed AM part integrity.
- Trained junior technicians on NDT procedures and standards, fostering team competency and adherence to best practices.
- Documented inspection findings using standardized forms and record systems, ensuring compliance and traceability.
- Designed calibration blocks for UT, including A-scan/B-scan/C-scan and Phased Array.
- Completed 300 hours of on-the-job training to advance towards phased array certification.
Maintenance Manager
Arcosa Wind Towers, Inc.
Newton
01.2024 - 04.2025
- Managed 18 technicians across 2-12 hour shifts on a daily basis to perform tasks ranging from everyday preventative maintenance projects to serious critical failures on machines valued north of 1 million dollars.
- Managed CapEx projects with plant manager, mechanical engineer, and financial controller, overseeing planning, budgeting, execution, and post-completion monitoring to ensure projects finished on time or ahead of schedule.
- Created preventative maintenance program with routine inspections, documentation, and service intervals, minimizing machine downtime and decreasing costs associated with lost production and critical part acquisition.
- Worked with the team at UpKeep as the plant contact, alongside the executive management team and other maintenance managers within the corporation to tailor a new CMMS system that fits our growing needs. For the first time we were able to create and launch work orders, track them, add pictures and documentation all from the same platform.
- Supported ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 audits.
- Worked side by side with the safety manager to ensure the plant was up to standards for all applying OSHA rules and regulations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with key vendors, ensuring reliable supply chain for critical MRO items and timely delivery.
Machine Maintenance
Midland Manufacturing
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Scheduled regular machine maintenance, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency and reduced downtime.
- Conducted root cause analysis on equipment failures, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Coordinated with production teams to prioritize tasks, maximizing equipment availability.
- Collaborated with maintenance technicians to schedule routine activities, ensuring minimal production disruptions.
Carman
Union Pacific Railroad
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Removed, repaired, and replaced railcars and car parts to maintain operational efficiency.
- Executed cutting, welding, and fabrication of metal components to meet high-quality standards.
- Achieved certification in overhead horizontal and vertical stick welding for enhanced skill set.
- Conducted preventative maintenance planning and root cause analysis to enhance equipment reliability.
- Performed sandblasting, painting, and general construction to achieve project objectives.
- Managed vendor relationships and inventory to optimize resource utilization.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with teams to support project objectives.
Welder
John Deere
01.2011 - 01.2021
- Executed welding from blueprints, maintaining welding robots and fixtures to ensure precision and quality.
- Utilized pulse arc welders and MIG/TIG processes on bridge cranes while achieving quality metrics.
- Interpreted blueprints to ensure accurate dimensions for components being fabricated and welded together.
- Trained new employees on welding techniques and adherence to safety protocols.
- Collaborated with team to streamline production processes, contributing to reduced cycle times.
- Conducted continuous improvement audits that identified key areas for operational efficiency enhancements.
- Developed 5S mapping for production areas to optimize workflow and organization.
- Completed engineering internship, leading award-winning project recognized globally by John Deere.
Mold Team Lead
TPI Composites
Newton
09.2009 - 02.2011
- Increased production rates on mold by over 30%.
- Supervised production team of 12 technicians to meet daily targets across multiple processes.
- Coordinated planning and scheduling of manufacturing tasks to optimize production goals.
- Identified and implemented process improvements for enhanced workflow efficiency.
- Managed blade production from tooling setup to final inspection, ensuring compliance with specifications.
- Trained operators in composite layup techniques and resin handling to reduce rework.
- Assisted in root-cause investigations for defects; implemented corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Education
High School Diploma -
Des Moines Area Community College
Newton, IA01-2002
Skills
- Non-destructive testing
- NDT Certification
- Ultrasonic testing
- Phased array ultrasonics
- Radiography
- Digital radiography
- Liquid penetrant testing
- Equipment downtime analysis article inspection
- Visual inspection techniques
- Remote visual inspection
- Welding inspection
- Preventive maintenance
- Equipment repair and troubleshooting
- Process improvement
- Root cause analysis
- Testing coordination
- Work order management
- Maintenance scheduling
- Asset management
- Maintenance software knowledge
- Technical documentation
- Lean maintenance practices
- Vendor management
- Technical specifications knowledge
- Contract compliance
- Regulatory compliance
- Data-driven decisions
- Analytical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Resource allocation
- Record-keeping
- Team collaboration
- Equipment downtime analysis
- Improvement initiatives
- Radiography
- NDT Certification
Certification
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- OSHA 10 Hour General Industry Training
- NFPA 70E General Indusrty
- Confined Space Awareness for Construction
- Electrical Safety and LOTO for General Industy
- WINDA Working at heights
Timeline
NDT Technician
JDH Inspection Services
01.2025 - Current
Maintenance Manager
Arcosa Wind Towers, Inc.
01.2024 - 04.2025
Machine Maintenance
Midland Manufacturing
01.2023 - 01.2024
Carman
Union Pacific Railroad
01.2022 - 01.2023
Welder
John Deere
01.2011 - 01.2021
Mold Team Lead
TPI Composites
09.2009 - 02.2011
High School Diploma -
Des Moines Area Community College