Meet Jake McCann

posted On Tuesday, March 5, 2019 in Blog

Q&As with Jake McCann

Jake, tell us about your career path at AHT.

Upon graduating from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in materials engineering, I began my career with AHT. I was hired in as a metallurgist at our Burton Ave. facility writing processes and learning more about typical steel heat treatments (such as quench and tempering, carburizing, annealing, etc...).

Then the opportunity arose, about four years ago, for me to transfer to the Monroe, Michigan facility. Excited about the chance to see new places and expand my knowledge on different types of treatments (specifically ion/plasma and gas nitriding), I accepted the process metallurgist position there.

After three years of working in Michigan the opportunity to come back to Iowa presented itself. I transferred back to Iowa, but this time at the Midport Blvd. facility, as the metallurgist at the AHT corporate office. This is where I currently reside and I am happy to be closer to family and where I grew up. Every day I try to learn something new and keep improving on what we do and what we provide our customers.

Jake, what does a typical day look like for you as a metallurgist at AHT?

I don’t think I’ve ever had a “typical” day. Every day brings something new and challenging. AHT is growing quickly. We are always seeing new customers and new projects come in the doors, which I often times help develop. Generally speaking, if I’m not working on a new project, I am troubleshooting or improving process related items.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your free time?

I’m an avid video gamer and love to listen and play music. I used to play trumpet and guitar in high school and college, but now I focus mainly on guitar. Recently, much of my free time is spent with my fiancé, “planning” (more or less trying to help with) our upcoming wedding in September. When not planning for our wedding, I enjoy spending time with our friends, family, four cats and dog.

As metallurgist, you work with industries ranging from agriculture to aerospace to automotive. Tell us about a couple interesting projects you’ve work on.

I find it fascinating I work on projects and parts that go into outer space, but might not come back until after our lifetime (or ever). With several new gas nitride furnaces coming online in 2019, I’m eager to help provide a more diverse gas nitride scope of work to our customers. For any type of product, I’m always happy to see the benefits we provide. I always like to hear how long something lasted or customer feedback on the improvements of the product after our treatment.

In your opinion, what makes Advanced Heat Treat Corp. the leader in nitriding?

I would say our customer service and our willingness to always help out—we very rarely say “no” to a project or request. We have a wide variety of processes and knowledge between our four facilities.

What is one thing people may not know about Jake McCann?

I marched in the Rose Bowl parade with my high school marching band.

What is one thing our customers may not know about AHT?

We are typically known as the leader in ion (or plasma) nitriding. However, we are expanding more and more into the gas nitriding world. We also have several brand new gas nitriders to help facilitate our customer’s needs.

Now, a series of quick random questions:

• Favorite Book or Movie: The Hobbit (both the book and movies, but the book more so)
• First Job: Produce Clerk at HyVee
• Biggest Fear: Whales, when I’m on a tiny boat
• Favorite Food: Steak
• Least Favorite Food: Spam or Anchovies
• Person Who Has Influenced You: Jimi Hendrix
• Favorite Vacation: Disney World (where I proposed to my fiancé)
• Favorite Quote:

I eat my peas with honey;

I’ve done it all my life.

It makes them taste kind of funny,

But it keeps them on my knife.

-Anonymous

Have a question for Jake McCann? Call him at 319-232-5221.

1. meet midport
2. meet the team