Story by Ann Houston

CareerTech Champion Ken Thompson

In 1979, Nathan Hale High School senior Ken Thompson was hired as a student worker from Tulsa Technology Center’s machining program, by Tulsa’s Air Power Systems, Co., Inc. (APSCO)

More than 26 years later, he is still at APSCO, a company that manufactures pneumatic cylinders and valves primarily for dump trucks and the automotive industry. His job titles have changed some seven times.

This modest, hands-on guy has risen through the ranks from machinist apprentice to the company’s vice-president of engineering and manufacturing.

During that time APSCO has grown from a $500,000 company with 20 employees to a $5.3 million international company with twice as many employees.

Thompson attributes skills learned at Tulsa Tech while in high school and values from his parents for his ascent within this successful company. That is why he is being recognized as a CareerTech champion, according to Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director.

Champions are alumni of the system’s programs or student organizations who attribute much of their success to their CareerTech experience.

“The machining program gave me the opportunity to go from high school to a trade with experience,” Thompson said. “It gave me the capability with knowledge to go directly into the workforce. We have trouble finding those who come with a skill set. The best we can usually hope for is they come to work on time, stay with us and are willing to learn.

“Those who come to us from Tulsa Tech have the general knowledge to go right to work. I know what and how they teach the program there, so I know what they know.”

His father and two friends influenced Thompson’s decision to attend the technology center as a junior in high school.

“Dad was a chemist in a plating shop and he knew I was a hands-on kind of guy – not a book person. Just give me something to do, and I’ll get it done,” Thompson said. “A couple of friends were also interested in Tulsa Technology Center’s machining program.”

The year he was there, Tulsa Tech received the state’s first Computerized Numeric Control (CNC) machine that typically replaces/works in conjunction with manufacturing processes such as drilling holes.

“In the machining program I learned to brainstorm with engineers and machinists,” Thompson said. “We worked on new product designs start to finish, creating, producing, and testing products, using machine shop skills and learning the how and why of the process.”

Now, living within a mile of his job with his wife and three children, Thompson admits he misses working in the machine shop. But APSCO President and CEO Larry Mocha needs him in the other roles he plays even more.

“Ken is brilliant and a problem solver. And, although he doesn’t have an engineering degree – yet – engineers are the people that he deals with on a daily basis,” Mocha said.

“Ken is the glue that holds the place together. He’s so important to my small business. We wouldn’t be where we are without him. He has climbed through the ranks over the years, reporting to many people. Now he only reports to me.”

Thompson likes to learn and wants to go back to college for a mechanical engineering degree. Taking math and science college courses in his mid-20s, it seemed like there were only a few people in class who were there to learn. They were there to pass.

“When I missed one on a paper and made a 97 percent and asked the professor what I did wrong so that I could learn from my mistake, the others said they’d just be glad to get the 97 percent,” he said.

Now Tulsa Tech offers a Pre Engineering Program for high school students, a program than appeals to Thompson.

“I’ve been to introductory meetings for the program. This is one of the best things they (TTC) have done,” Thompson said. “I would have been in this program if they’d had it then. Students earn college credit hours and a chance to test the field before college. It’s one of the neatest things they offer.”

But, while CareerTech programs offer young people an opportunity to see what they can do, don’t expect good fortune to just fall in your lap, according to Thompson.

“People will see what you can do and then it will come,” he said. “Young people need to have goals in life. Direction. Find out what makes them happy, and then figure out a way to do that as a career. I like what I do.”

And, the work ethic started at home so long ago, honed at the technology center, has followed him through APSCO’s ladder of success as he continues to make a difference.

“Our company is small,” Thompson said. “We work hard to give our customers what they want – and that includes quality. I look at my position like I look at the parts we produce. They aren’t supposed to stand out and be seen, but they are supposed to provide quality service.”