John Palko
--Technology Education and Application
Charlotte United States
Professional Status
Employed
Available
About Me
Utilizes experience in Manufacturing, Technology, Education and Career Development to create a 21st Century Workforce.
Teacher
Cabarrus County Schools
Since August 2006
- District Wide Leader in Teaching Middle School Solidworks CAD Software.
- Exposing children to basic programming methods using EasyC, MIT's Scratch, CMU's Alice and MIT's Android Development software.
- Implemented VEX Robotics Curriculum using Intelitek Moodle.
- Developed Engineering Based VEX Curriculum to focus on real world situations and process control through basic and advanced programming.
- Teacher of Middle School Mathematics, Career Decisions and Technology Education through STEM activities.
Teacher
Stanly County Schools
July 2003
to August 2006
- Leader in implementation in Technology in the Classroom including online testing and self-directed online lessons.
- Developed and Maintained School Website using Dreamweaver.
- Teacher of High School and Middle School Mathematics.
President
Palko Aluminum
March 2001
to March 2003
- Provided Consulting Services in Aluminum Ingot purchases and sales.
- Developed and sold a Proprietary Aluminum Particle Casting process.
Group Financial Controller
Alcoa
May 1999
to March 2001
- Developed and maintained Specialty Metals Division Financial Intranet Site.
- Worked with Corporate Development in conducting Full Financial Analysis and Due Diligence in Business Acquisitions and Divestitures.
- Developed annual operating plan. Provided Profit/Loss analyses and recommendations.
- Assumed Fiduciary Responsibilities of Alcoa Specialty Metals Division.
Business Manager
Alcoa
October 1997
to May 1999
- Provided coordination and development of the capital expense budget and technical plan to insure adequate ingot melting and casting facilities to meet projected High Purity and Particle Ingot demand.
- Established and enforced Process Control Standards consistent with commercial requirements and least cost of production.
- Planned and implemented process training for salaried and hourly personnel.
- Provided decision and risk analysis and economic modeling expertise within the division.
- Responsible for raw materials purchases to supply production operations.
- Directed daily and long range production and maintenance scheduling and planning.
- Implemented the Toyota based Alcoa Production System within the Specialty Metals Division at Badin, NC.
- Managed the only Alcoa Fractional Crystallization Aluminum Purification in the World producing 99.999% Pure Aluminum.
- Leader in $1.0 Million turnaround in the Aluminum Particle Casting Business.
Business Venture Analyst
Alcoa
June 1994
to October 1997
- Conducted Cost and Financial Analyses for 2 Department of Energy (DOE) Projects: Ultra-Large Automotive Casting and Future Magnesium Manufacturing Processes.
- Tools implemented: SDG Decision & Risk Analysis Software, Full Business Modeling, Tornado Diagrams, Cost Analysis
- Projects evaluated spanned the Automotive, Appliance, Chemical and Packaging Markets and processes including smelting, ingot/roll casting and shape casting.
- Developed and utilized cost and business models to assess and explore options with new venture programs, including changes in market volumes, product pricing and capital.
- Conducted technical and business risk assessments on various new product and process improvement R&D projects.
- Provided support in the implementation of the Toyota based Alcoa Production System in several Alcoa Locations and the Technical Center.
Manager of Brazing Sheet Modernization
Alcoa
October 1993
to June 1994
- Conducted Full Financial Analysis including Capital Costs, Revenue Management Manufacturing Costs and associated Decision and Risk Analysis.
- Managed Plant Expansion Project to implement Clad Brazing Sheet (Patent Contributor).
Foil Fabricating Superintendent
Alcoa
May 1993
to March 1994
- Implemented Quality Improvement Process through joint Customer & Production Efforts.
- Reduced overtime and overall costs through the coordinated Union & Company efforts to combine 2 departments and simplify job classifications.
- Managed the development and implementation of two specialty coated foil products
- Leader in the startup and statistical performance testing of a New $4.0MM Foil Texture Shear.
- Supervised a staff of 12 Salaried and 98 Hourly personnel.
- Responsible for Production, Quality Assurance, Engineering and Maintenance in the Foil Coating and Finishing Area.
Chief Industrial Engineer
Alcoa
January 1991
to May 1993
- Leader in implementation of Lean Manufacturing Principles.
- Supervised a staff of 3 Industrial Engineers.
- Typical analyses included Product or Process Cost Improvements, Request for Authorization and Inventory Control.
- Responsible for the development of the Annual Operating Plan and the Ten Year Strategic Plan.
- Responsible for monitoring and assisting in the various cost and process improvement efforts throughout the plant.
Production Control Engineer
Alcoa
December 1988
to January 1991
- Coordinated the installation, training, startup and statistical performance testing of a $7.0MM Roll Caster expansion
- Implemented Lean Manufacturing including SMED and pull-system implementation.
- Responsible for the Ingot Department Production, Invoicing, Packing and Shipping of all products.
- Managed day-to-day operation of Production and Maintenance of Aluminum Casting Facility.
Production Engineer
Alcoa
June 1986
to December 1988
- Leader in effort to increase performance and turbidity of Cold Rolling lubricants.
- Member of Clad Brazing Sheet Product Development Team which received 3 US Patents.
- Coordinated efforts between Production and Engineering on $5.0 Million Cold Rolling Mill process control upgrade.
Industrial Engineer
Alcoa
June 1985
to June 1986
- Conducted all Request for Authorization Financial Analyses
- Co-Developer of Plant Simulation Model
- Managed $4.0 Million Plant-wide Cost Reduction Program
