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Company Directory
Bill Starn
CEO, President
Bill has been around the shop his whole life. After high school he worked at PPG as a laborer. He had several jobs in Erie as a carpenter, cabinet maker, foundry worker, and gas station manager. Bill joined Starn Tool in 1973 as an apprentice toolmaker. After graduation, he was promoted to Foreman, and VP of mfg. Bill purchased Starn Tool in 1992 from his father, and since has grown Starn Tool as well as the Starn Family of Companies. He will be celebrating his 50th anniversary in 2023
Greg Wasko
Vice President, Partner
Greg has been in the industry over 30 years and began his career with Starn in 2001. He began as the Program Manager for Starn Commodities Group before becoming Vice President of Starn Tool and Mecal by Starn. Greg is involved in, and serves on the boards of, numerous industry committees and has most recently completed his presidential term for the local NWPA NTMA. Greg also recently received the William E. Hardman Award for Excellence in Training from the National Tooling and Machining Association.
Willow Peterman
Controller, Partner
Willow has been with Starn for 9 years, beginning as a co-op student. She went through training in every department for the first 3 years, learning the shop floor and the basic functions of machines. In 2016 she moved into an administrative position and in 2017 moved into her current position. Willow is involved with multiple committees in the industry, most of which support community and academic outreach for today’s youth.
Shawn Schmitz
General Manager, Partner
Shawn’s career with Starn began in 1998. He started his career as a co-op student working his way along the shop floor, completing various tasks, and running multiple machines. He then became the Wire Department Supervisor, and in 2018 moved into the position of General Foreman. Shawn is also the President of the WCJ Ranch, a nonprofit organization that supports the hobbies of veterans with disabilities.
Trent Zolnai
Cost Estimator
Trent attended the local career and technical center and began his career with Starn in 2017 as a co-op student. After graduation he started full-time, working in the CNC Mill and CNC Lathe departments. During this time, he completed his CNC Machinist apprenticeship and in 2020 received his Journeyman’s Toolmaker card. In 2021 Trent moved into his current position in Sales and Estimating.
Clay Dawson
Cost Estimator
Clay has been in the industry for 7 years. He graduated in 2015 with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State University and in 2019 with an MBA from Penn State Behrend. Clay joined Starn in 2021 entering his current position in Sales, Engineering and Estimating. Clay is also an avid member in our area’s local chapter (NWPA) of the NTMA and is currently the Chair on the Academic Outreach committee.
Kyle Gates
Quality Assurance Manager
Kyle has been in the industry for over 15 years, primarily in the tooling and aerospace industries. He holds a diploma in CNC Technology and is also a journeyman toolmaker. His experience includes tool and die, CNC machining, inspection, training, and management. At Starn, Kyle provides support with manufacturing, quality assurance, outsourcing, training, and customer satisfaction.
The Starn Family of Companies
