Ger Lor – Saint Paul College, CNC Tool Making
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT
- Twin Cities District: $1,000
- PMA Educational Foundation: $500
- Total: $1,500
Ger Lor, a scholarship recipient from the Twin Cities District, developed an interest in CNC machining after spending many years working in assembly operations at Graco. Through his experience on the production floor, he gained a firsthand understanding of manufacturing processes and began to recognize opportunities for improving quality and efficiency. As he observed the increasing emphasis on production numbers, he became motivated to pursue machining to help maintain high-quality standards while contributing more significantly to the manufacturing process. His extensive assembly experience and desire for continuous improvement inspired him to take the next step in his career.
Ger’s immediate goal is to complete his education at Saint Paul College and begin a career as a CNC machinist. Looking further into the future, he aspires to become a CNC programmer, a position he views as the highest level of machining expertise within Graco. This long-term objective reflects his commitment to professional growth and his determination to continue expanding his technical knowledge and abilities throughout his career.
One of Ger’s notable professional achievements was earning the title of Assembler Specialist-Nominated at Graco. Achieving this distinction required extensive knowledge of his work area, proficiency in testing and quality inspection procedures, and a strong understanding of Oracle systems. This accomplishment demonstrates both his technical expertise and his dedication to maintaining high standards of performance and quality.
Ger’s diverse employment history has helped him develop valuable skills that support his success in manufacturing. He worked as a service manager at Chipotle for three years, where he learned patience, leadership and effective problem-solving. He later worked at the Silent Knight Security call center, gaining experience in customer communication, information management and emergency dispatch procedures involving police, fire and emergency medical services. These positions strengthened his ability to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively and handle responsibility in critical situations.
For the past nine years, Ger has worked at Graco, where he has continually challenged himself both mentally and physically. His responsibilities have included training multiple employees simultaneously while maintaining productivity goals, participating in custom unit projects, assisting with performance requirement development, supporting team-building efforts and collaborating with management. These experiences have strengthened his leadership abilities and reinforced the importance of teamwork, adaptability and continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.
Ger believes one of his greatest strengths is his ability to connect people from different generations within the workforce. Drawing from his extensive experience, he understands the value of both modern manufacturing techniques and the knowledge possessed by experienced employees. He hopes to help bridge the gap between new and traditional approaches by encouraging collaboration and mutual respect. By combining innovative machine practices with proven methods, Ger seeks to contribute to a more effective, inclusive and productive manufacturing environment.
His dedication to continuous learning, commitment to quality and extensive workplace experience make him an outstanding representative of the manufacturing industry. Through his education and future career in CNC machining, Ger is well positioned to make meaningful contributions to both his company and the manufacturing profession.
The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF) proudly congratulates Ger Lor on being selected as a scholarship recipient. His commitment to professional growth, manufacturing excellence and workforce leadership make him highly deserving of this recognition. PMAEF wishes Ger continued success in his education and future career in CNC machining.