Kane Innovations is celebrating National Engineer’s Week by recognizing our own team of engineering technicians!

With decades of collective experience, Kane Innovations’ expert draftspeople utilize the latest industry-standard design software to create cost-effective, code-compliant architectural railings, window security screens and criminal justice products tailored to the needs of each customer.

MARK KIGHTLINGER | ENGINEERING MANAGER – ERIE, PA PLANT

What’s your educational background?:
Associates Degree in Architectural Drafting and Design.

Work experience?:
I’ve been with Kane Innovations for over 14 years, non-consecutively.  Prior to Kane, I worked at George Cass Construction for eight years as a Lead Carpenter and served five years in the US Army as a Combat Engineer.

What is your job title and function/duties?:
I have various duties as Engineering Manager, however, my main function is to supervise and lead a team of highly skilled engineering technicians as they develop, modify and create solutions that are implemented into Kane Innovations’ products, as represented in submittal, or fabrication drawings and all relevant paperwork.

How did your time in the U.S. Army prepare you for the job you have today?
The army prepared me immensely in terms of management and leadership.

What do you enjoy most about architectural drafting and design in general?:
Having the ability and the knowledge to provide a unique, one of a kind design to customers is probably what I enjoy most.

What do you enjoy most about working for Kane Innovations, specifically?:
The employees and the work environment.

What is the most exciting part of your job?:
The most exciting part of my job is leading the engineering department, sharing knowledge and providing engineered solutions to complex problems.

What are some aspects of architectural railing that you think architects or GCs might be in the dark about, or unaware of, when it comes to railing system design?  What do you wish you could tell them?:
I would like to explain the advantages, strengths and weaknesses between aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel railing systems.  There are benefits and drawbacks to all three and it’s important to understand their differences.

What is a good work-related lesson you’ve learned along the way?:
“Go to work; separate your work from your home life, and your home life from your work.” Great advice from my father.

Aside from the ability to use the latest CAD software, what’s the primary skill that all of your engineering team members must share in order to be successful at drawing architectural railing?:
If I had to choose one, I would say the ability to develop creative ways to solve a problem.  You need to have sound technical and analytical skills do be a part of our team.

What’s the most rewarding part about managing such a large team?
The team itself. I accomplish nothing without the team.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?:
Serving our great nation in a time of war.

What’s your favorite quote or words to live by?:
“Essayons”; it’s the motto of the US Army Corps of Engineers.  It’s French for “Let us try.”

CHARLES GILMORE | ENGINEERING MANAGER – KANE, PA PLANT

What’s your educational background?:
I have a degree in Industrial Engineering.

Work experience?:
I’ve been with Kane Innovations for over 20 years.  Prior to Kane, I worked for a wood product manufacturer.  I was part of the successful startup of MDF Company, where we produced quality MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard).

What is your job title and function/duties?:
As engineering manager, I direct our engineering department and project management group for our screen and detention brands.  We work closely with the manufacturing group to design and produce quality products to fit our customers’ needs.

What do you enjoy most about drafting and design in general?:
Drafting allows ideas and concepts to become a visual aid which makes the design process virtually seamless.  Through the design process, our customers’ ideas come to life.

What do you enjoy most about working for Kane Innovations, specifically?:
The people.

What is the most exciting part of your job?:
The most exciting part of my job is traveling to job sites to work on projects.

What are some aspects of security screens and detention products that you think architects or GCs might be in the dark about, or unaware of, when it comes to the design of the product itself?  What do you wish you could tell them?:
Many GCs and architects are unaware that we can design products around a specific need or market, or that we’re always open to discussing unique opportunities to see if it fits our business.

What is a good work-related lesson you’ve learned along the way?:
“First ask questions, then listen and repeat to communicate effectively.”  I learned this from Mike Show, our company president.

Aside from the ability to use the latest CAD software, what’s the primary skill that all of your engineering team members must share in order to be successful at configuring or designing products?:
Effective communication is a must for everyone on our team.

What’s the most rewarding part about managing your team?
Successfully completing projects on time, under budget and without errors on a consistent basis without a lot of direction.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?:
Playing a key role developing and launching production software has been my greatest accomplishment so far.  This software allows us to convert returned approvals into optimized fabrication sheets and G-Code to punch out steel and stainless steel products on our CNC Turret Punch.

What’s your favorite quote or words to live by?: 
“Respect is earned.  Honesty is appreciated.  Trust is gained.  Loyalty is returned.”