David Reeves

LEAD INSTRUCTOR, SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON

When David Reeves was 18 years old, he was introduced to the world of machining through a trade school program. Upon graduation, he was employed at Astro Tool where he made parts for electrical connector servicing and R&D prototype tools. David then worked at TRIAD Machine, a job shop created by Bob Carter, the founder of Flight Dynamics Inc. Bob, referring to David as a ‘grow your own engineer’, encouraged David to study Mechanical Engineering, which guided David to Clark College and later Portland State University where he earned his BS in Physics. David went on study Electro-Optics as a graduate research assistant at The University of Dayton, where he also made parts for his research in stereolithography 3D printing and gained his first experience with CNC machining. In 1992, David joined Thrustmaster Inc. where he produced prototypes using MasterCam and a Fadal VMC 4020 as Chief Scientist. Five years later, David went to work for Military Simulations Inc. as an engineer designing electro-mechanical devices. After three years, he then moved on to Physics lab instruction at Clark College, where he continues to teach. David also works as a MasterCam programmer for CoorsTek Hillsboro Oregon plant, since 2007 where he has been a Technical Specialist since 2017, repairing industrial equipment.

David is often sought out for his problem solving and is a valuable resource for all questions on machines, programs, processes, controllers, mathematics and more. David began teaching introductory machining at MI in 2023 and was delighted to be offered a full-time position in 2024. His broad range of knowledge and experience is an invaluable addition to supporting MI’s mission to build better futures for the communities it serves.