What did you do before you came to Paragon?
I came to Paragon from the aircraft industry. Though kilns are far removed from airplanes, there are similarities. High-speed aircraft deal with the expansion of parts just like kilns. Air on the leading edge of the wings heats up. You’re also dealing with sheet metal, fasteners, and basic design concepts in both aircraft and kilns.

What do you find most interesting about kilns?
Before I came to Paragon, I had no idea that the world of kilns is as wide-ranging as it is. The products made with kilns vary from industrial to high-end artistic—pottery, glass fusing, jewelry.

What do you do outside Paragon?
I enjoy aircraft history. I look forward to seeing the World War II aircraft at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas, and visiting the British Flying School Museum at the Terrell, Texas airfield, which is a few miles from Paragon’s Mesquite factory.