Background

I began my career at 19 as a non‑ferrous laborer at Sims Metal, cutting copper and buying non‑ferrous metals during college breaks. After graduating, I entered the Sims Metal Management Trainee program and progressed through yard superintendent roles at high‑volume scrap metal facilities in the South Bronx and Long Island City, NY, gaining hands‑on experience across heavy equipment operations, processing, and material transfer. I went on to manage multiple feeder yards, leading large 24/6 (…and sometimes 7) operations with a strong focus on culture, housekeeping, and safety, achieving zero recordable incidents. This path led me into a Regional EHS Manager role overseeing 10 facilities, launching my formal safety career. After more than 12 years in the industry, I transitioned to the New York State Regional Manager for Latham Pools, and then ultimately found my way to MD&A.

What do you do here at MD&A? What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at MD&A?        

At MD&A, I am the EHS Compliance & Systems Support Specialist, focusing on improving the EHS systems employees use to better inform them and enhance their overall experience. I also support Commercial Operations by assisting with EHS‑related questions tied to bids and third‑party sites. What I enjoy most is ensuring data accuracy so division leaders can make informed decisions that support the health and safety of their organizations.

What’s a safety risk people might underestimate in our work, and how do you stay ahead of it?

Instead of talking about risks we don’t know much about, I’d rather focus on one we do know well: Line of Fire. It’s responsible for a lot of injuries. We can stay ahead of it by speaking up and reporting Line of Fire events when we see them. I know our field teams are catching and preventing these situations every day. When you do, it’s important to take a few minutes to create a report so we can document it and learn from it. Chances are, you’ve already solved a problem that someone else is still dealing with, and sharing those examples helps the whole organization learn and improve.

What does safety mean to you in your day-to-day work at MD&A?

For me, I’m thousands of miles away from the people doing the difficult, dirty, hazardous work. So safety, from my seat, means making sure our systems are working the way they should, so the folks in the field and in the shops can easily complete their checks, audits, and inspections. It also means making sure the information we’re collecting is accurate, so our division leaders have reliable data to make informed decisions that protect our people.

How do you encourage employee participation in MD&A’s safety program to help maintain a team-focused approach to safety?

Create a learning culture, keeping the focus on learning, not blame. We talk a lot about the idea that safety gets better when people speak up and share what they’re seeing in the field. When someone reports a near miss or good catch, it has to be treated as a chance for the whole team to learn. When employees see that their input leads to changes, shared lessons, or better ways of working, they’re more likely to stay engaged. That’s how safety stays team‑focused, everyone learning from each other and looking out for one another.

What originally brought you to MD&A, and what has made you continue your career here? How would you describe MD&A’s culture, particularly when it comes to safety?

As a teenager working at Sims Metal Management, I learned what it meant to be part of something bigger than myself. I still have vivid memories of standing on a 1,000‑ton shred barge at sunrise as a tugboat swapped it out for a vessel that would go to an overseas mill. Being part of that entire process gave my work real meaning. While I enjoyed my time at Latham Pools and learned a lot in manufacturing, something was missing, and I didn’t feel fully fulfilled. When I interviewed for my role at MD&A, and Matt Barnes explained what the company did, I knew right away it was something I wanted to be part of. It felt like I was getting back to a purpose bigger than myself, and that’s why I wanted to join the MD&A team.

Do you have a favorite book or story that you return to often?

Man’s Search for Meaning is my favorite book because it completely changed how I think about adversity and purpose. Viktor Frankl’s experience in concentration camps shows that even when everything is taken from you, you still have the freedom to choose your attitude and find meaning in what you endure. The idea that purpose, not comfort, pleasure, or success, is what carries people through the hardest moments really resonates with me. I come back to this book because it’s a reminder that meaning can be found through work, relationships, and even unavoidable hardship, and that mindset alone can shape how we survive and grow.

The post Timothy Zdrojeski appeared first on MDA Turbines.

I graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 2013 with a degree in Power Engineering Technology. I started my career as a Project Engineer, gaining experience in Gas Turbine Maintenance and Project Estimating. I joined MD&A in 2015, where I developed expertise in Steam Turbine-Generator Maintenance & Project Management.

What do you do here at MD&A? What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at MD&A?

At MD&A, I work as a Project Lead/Manager & Field Engineer. In my role, I enjoy managing larger projects with many moving parts and building strong relationships and rapport with our customers.

How do you prepare for an outage before arriving on-site? What steps do you take?

When preparing for an outage I take the following steps: reviewing project contracts and job specifications/requirements, attending pre-outage meeting at the customer site, working with the Operations Manager on schedule requirements, reviewing unit specific technical bulletins and previous outage reports for known issues and upcoming repairs that may be outside of the base scope, and coordinating with other divisions and sub-contractors regarding their mobilization date and scope specifics.

What is the most interesting challenge you have come across at a job site?

The most interesting challenge is the restoration of a 120 MW Steam Turbine-Generator following a catastrophic failure. My role on this project was the day shift Field Engineer, working with one of MD&A’s strongest Project Managers.

How do you prepare for working in different locations and environments with each new job?

I typically will do some research ahead of time to become familiar with each geographical area to determine the best location to spend my time when not working. Adjusting to different work environments and customer personnel has become an easy transition over the years.

How do you handle unexpected challenges or changes in scope during an outage?

I have built strong relationships with other company experts who are available to support troubleshooting exercises or repair options, if required. In addition, working with MD&A has taught me how to handle myself professionally when things don’t go as planned by making good, sound decisions and providing customers with recommendations that ensure turbine reliability and efficiency.

Why did you choose to work for MD&A, and why have you continued to choose to work at MD&A? How would you describe our company culture?

I chose MD&A for career development, training, experience, and most of all, the people. MD&A provides a professional yet enjoyable culture. After 11 years with MD&A, I can say our team has some of the most experienced and knowledgeable people in the industry.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited while working on an outage?

Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The post Andrew Ball appeared first on MDA Turbines.

Background

I have been with MD&A for 14 years. I started in the tooling center for the Outage Services Division.  I have been very fortunate at MD&A to have had a variety of opportunities that have come my way. Building new tooling trailers, helping in the valve shop, working for Outage Services as a millwright, and finally starting my new role with MD&A Parts Division.

What do you do here at MD&A? What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at MD&A?

I travel to job sites to perform packing evaluations for customers. I reverse-engineer old parts to manufacture new ones, install the new parts, and custom-machine them to achieve the proper design clearances. The best part of my job is the challenge; every project is unique. I also enjoy the interactions with customers, on-site engineers, and our Laser Alignment Engineers as we work together to meet schedules, satisfy customers, and ensure all clearances are set to the correct alignment specifications.

What is the most interesting packing & seal challenge you have come across on a project or jobsite?

The job site was in Canada; it was a very complex and detailed packing installation. The packing rings were made with extra stock. We had to machine entire segments to custom fit the gland holders, the correct axial positions, and radially at vertical and horizontal to achieve correct design clearances for the new rotor.  Working alongside the field engineers and our parts engineers, this job went smoothly, even though there were many chances for it not to.

What do you think sets MD&A’s approach to seals apart from other companies in the industry?

There are a few reasons; our Marion shop makes a phenomenal product. Our engineering team, communication, and support are above and beyond. Finally, our Guardian Packing is an outstanding product for our customers.

Why did you choose to work for MD&A, and why have you continued to choose to work at MD&A? How would you describe our company culture?

The support from our leadership, our Marion shop, and the engineering team is 100% committed to making us successful in the field. By saying that, it’s not only support within our division, but also across the MD&A team. We get support from TLA (Laser Alignment group) , Steam Path Division, and Outage Services field engineers as well.  The best part about the company culture is if you have a problem there is someone in the organization you can count on to help get it solved.

What’s your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?

My favorite hobbies are fly tying and trout fishing. But the most important thing in my life is spending time with my family and building a solid foundation for my kids and grandkids.

The post Mike Walsh appeared first on MDA Turbines.

Background:

I graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After college, I worked for Halliburton Energy Services. I worked in many roles while I was working for Halliburton Energy Services, ranging from Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Design, and Engineer Reviewer.  This helped me gain knowledge of pitfalls when it comes to design, manufacturing, and project management. In the fall of 2021, I joined Mechanical Dynamics and Analysis as a Steampath Engineer/Project Manager.

Can you tell us about your role as a Project Engineer – SteamPath? What does a typical day look like for you?

As a Steampath Engineer, my day-to-day will vary depending on which stage my projects are currently in.  When I am in the shop, I usually follow multiple projects at the same time.  The typical project includes 3 stages: completing inspections, making repair recommendations, and completing repairs.  During the inspection stage, I complete visual inspections of the components, review the dimensional inspections, and review the non-destructive found indications.  Making repair recommendations can be simple or more complex, depending on the issues found during inspections.  Some of the repair recommendations require additional inspections and analysis (hand calculations, thermal analysis, and finite element analysis) to provide proper recommendations.  I do my best to accommodate the customer’s budget and timeline concerns.  Sometimes, a temporary repair will be conducted until a long-term fix can be conducted.  When this is done, MD&A will provide our knowledge of the risks associated so the customer can make an educated decision on which route they would like to take.  After repairs are approved by the customer, I provide the work scope to the shop, including any documentation, machinist drawings, and tooling.  During the repair, I provide updates to the customer and monitor the progress of the repair.  Any challenges or delays to the project are reviewed and solutions implemented.  After all repairs are complete, the parts are inspected and shipped back to the customer.  I sometimes also conduct Steampath Structural Audits, L-0 Blade inspections, and Borescope Inspections onsite.

What’s the most complex steam path issue you’ve encountered, and how did you solve it?

One of the more complex issues I have worked on related to a HPIP GE® rotor.  During the inspection of the rotor, 12 circumferential indications were found along the rotor body located at the bottom of the grooves present on the rotor.  The indications were found in the high heat section of the rotor between the Stage 5 in the HP section up to and through the 1^st Stage reheat.  Material properties of the rotor were taken, and indications were machined until they were removed.  FEA and thermal analysis were conducted on the rotor to determine original design stresses.  Afterward, I designed an enhanced, larger radius geometry for each location to reduce stress concentrations at each location.  The modified geometry was then analyzed to verify that the stresses were equal to or better than the original design, even with a smaller rotor cross-section.  The rotor was then machined on a lathe using a CNC-controlled cutter to match the designed geometry.  After machining and completing all other scopes, the rotor was brought back to the customer in a timely manner to make power, once again.

How do you ensure precision and accuracy in your work, especially during tight outage schedules?

The biggest thing to ensure precision and accuracy in my work, even with tight schedules, is through communication and verification with the dedicated group of machinists, bladers, and welders at MD&A.  Every day, I talk directly with the foreman, welders, and machinists in the shop, completing the work.  I provide extra focus on infrequent and high-skilled tasks.  At the end of the day, I verified the work that was completed to MD&A’s standards to meet customers’ expectations.

Why did you choose to work for MD&A and why have you continued to choose to work at MD&A? How would you describe our company culture

I chose to work at MD&A back in 2021 because I wanted to work back in my hometown, and I wanted to work for a company that would appreciate my skillset.  The part of the culture that I appreciate is the willingness of other engineers and managers to help by providing their knowledge and experience when brainstorming to solve problems.

Have you had any mentors who influenced your career path?

I am highly appreciative of MD&A’s Rob Kilroy mentoring me and helping me through problems I have run into.  He has helped with my problem-solving skills and learning new tools and methods of analysis to help with making the right recommendations for the customer.

The post Carl Nelson appeared first on MDA Turbines.

I started my career in the U.S. ARMY as a 44B (metal worker). In March of 2000, I was employed by Pratt & Whitney to weld on combustion chambers for the military and commercial engines. Roughly in 2006, management brought in IGT (Industrial Gas Turbine) components for us to start a new venture, which would become MD&A’s San Antonio Service Center. I became a Cell Lead for the Static (non rotating) Parts repair team in 2009. In 2013, I started performing some field service work by pinning compressor blades and welding cracked diffuser cases. This opportunity has taken me across the world. In 2021, I was promoted to Rotating Parts Supervisor, where I managed daily production with 14 team members who put pride into their daily work ethic.

What do you do here at MD&A? What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at MD&A?

I am the MD&A San Antonio Service Center Operations Manager. I manage the day-to-day production process, making sure we stay on schedule with delivery dates and ensuring the customer receives a quality set of parts. What I enjoy most is still working hand and hand with all the employees I’ve come to know in all these years employed by this company.

What are some of the biggest challenges in managing gas turbine component repairs, and how do you stay ahead of them?

One of the biggest challenges is finding the time to engage with the teams on the floor. I try to stay ahead by having individual team meetings with the rotating parts team and the static repair team. I believe that when you include the team in production planning and/or process; it motivates the team to work hard to meet the weekly and monthly production goals.

How do you stay connected with both your team and customers during complex, multi-phase jobs?

Communication; that goes a long way with both your teams and customers. Without communication, there is no structure.

What do you think sets MD&A apart when it comes to servicing and supporting gas turbines?

What I’ve seen here at MD&A is that the customer comes first, and we will do what it takes to meet or exceed customer expectations. A happy customer can mean long-term contracts.

Why did you choose to work for MD&A, and why have you continued to choose to work at MD&A? How would you describe our company culture?

Well, I didn’t choose MD&A; MD&A chose me by merging with PW POWER SYSTEMS. With this bond, MD&A is a powerhouse for the repair side and the field service side. I continue to work for MD&A because this place is like a second family, and MD&A has been good to me. Our company structure, to me, is like a football team; everyone has a position, and everyone strives to do the best they can do. It takes a team to win; without everyone doing their part, we can’t succeed.

Do you have a motto?

My Motto: IT’S NOT WHERE YOU CAME FROM, IT’S WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!!

The post Jesse Gonzales appeared first on MDA Turbines.

Background:

After graduating from Maine Maritime Academy, I spent roughly two years working in operations at a coal-fired power facility. Upon leaving the operations side of the industry, I joined MD&A and completed our Engineer in Training (EIT) program, where I had the chance to learn and work on outages of varying steam turbine sizes and OEMs. Fast forward to almost 10 years of engineering experience, as of the spring of 2025, I took on my current role as Industrial Services Project Manager.

What do you do here at MD&A? What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at MD&A?

As a Project Manager for the Industrial Services team, I work closely with our customers and field teams during the bidding and planning phases of the outages. I also offer technical and office support while the outage is being executed, or when the customer may have an emergent issue. The Industrial Service team typically works with industrial customers rather than the traditional utilities; those customers may be paper mills, sugar mills, refineries, colleges, or hospital campuses, etc. The most enjoyable part of my current role is continuing to build relationships with our customers, many of whom I worked for when I was in the field.

What’s the most challenging aspect of managing turbine or generator service projects in the field, and how do you navigate it?

I believe the most challenging aspect of managing a project in the field is emergent work that may be identified during the outage. Emergent work could include repairing or replacing parts that the customer may not have in stock, and the lead time for new parts can be significant. This is why it is important to properly plan for the outage and have reasonable contingencies in place.

How do you approach coordinating between field service teams, customers, and internal departments during a major outage?

The coordination efforts begin as soon as we receive a Request for Quote (RFQ), sometimes even before this step, as the customer may request our involvement in building the scope of work. MD&A’s internal departments will work together to provide the customer with the most accurate pricing and schedule we can provide. During the planning phase, we will hold several planning meetings, internal and with the customer, to be sure nothing is overlooked. Communication and an accurate schedule are, in my opinion, two of the most important aspects of the team’s coordination.

What’s something most people don’t realize about what goes into planning and executing a successful industrial service project?

As I transitioned from the Field Engineer position, I quickly learned that resources are limited within the industry. Depending on the time of year, when a customer requests assistance, it is important to verify that we have the resources available before committing to a project. There is also a lot of “behind the scenes” work taking place before the outage that may include helping the customer build a work scope for that upcoming outage, building a schedule, performing a spare parts inventory, etc.

Why did you choose to work for MD&A, and why have you continued to choose to work at MD&A? How would you describe our company culture?

During my time as an operator, I learned that if plant operations are going well, the job can become quite repetitive. One of my college classmates had just joined MD&A, and I was lucky enough to be able to join shortly after. I’ve continued to stay with MD&A because they have continued to invest in me and allow me to grow as a professional. As the company continues to get larger, we have still held on to that “small company” feel, which I think is important to the employees and our customers.

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing (besides money), what would it be?

An unlimited supply of golf balls would be great! They seem to disappear more often than I’d like to admit.

The post Brett Baker appeared first on MDA Turbines.

Background

I started in the power generation industry when I was 19 years old, mostly working on Westinghouse® steam turbine generators. For seven years, I did minor and major test and inspections, which included electrical testing and any maintenance that came with the inspection. I joined the Brush Turbogenerator team in 2011. Being with Brush gave me a vast understanding of many different OEM styles of generators. In 2019, I joined the MD&A team and am now a resident of Saint Louis, working at the Repairs facility.

What do you do here at MD&A?

Currently, I work in the MD&A Saint Louis shop as a Generator Division Operations Manager. I also go on-site as a Generator Specialist to support test, inspections, and maintenance on generator stators and fields.

What are the most common issues you encounter with generators during inspections or repairs?

The most common issue I encounter on generators is loose end winding support systems. This is identified by greasing throughout the end winding, blocking and supports.

On single and double tube stack Westinghouse® generators from the 1970s and 1980s, it is common to find units with bad transpositions. Transposition issues can cause a generator to fail in service if not repaired when found.

What signs should customers look for that might indicate a generator is at risk of failure?

A customer should be concerned if their generator coil insulation is deteriorating or if there are signs of heavy corona discharge in the unit.

 What’s one type of generator repair that customers often underestimate in terms of urgency or impact, and why is it important to address it early?

Customers tend to underestimate generator core iron tightness. It is often overlooked or not completed when Generator Specialists recommend a core torque. It is important to catch this early because a loose core can cause issues in the core iron or compromise the stator bar insulation. Repairing a damaged core can be time-consuming and costly.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I own property in Playa De Los Cocos, Mexico. My father bought 40 meters of beachfront property in 2008.  I liked the area so much that in 2011, I bought 20 meters of beachfront property right next to my father. From 2012 to 2016, I lived at my house in Playa De Los Cocos, flying to generator jobs as requested, then back to Mexico. The best thing about living in Mexico was being able to surf right in front of my house, accompanied by my father.

The post Joshua Hackmann appeared first on MDA Turbines.

Background

I began my career with NRG Energy, where I worked as a Repairs Engineer at their central maintenance shop. I was responsible for inspection and repair of a variety of power generation components including turbine rotors, diaphragms, gland casings, valves, pumps, and heat exchangers.  I joined MD&A in 2012, where I have held a variety of roles, mainly focused on packing & seals.

What do you do here at MD&A? What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at MD&A?

I’m the Operations Manager of MD&A Parts Turbine Seals division.  Our group is responsible for packing & seal engineering, manufacturing, and custom installation at customer sites.  We manufacture premier replacement seals for all makes of steam and gas turbines.  I enjoy leading a top-notch group of experts, whom I believe are the best in the business.

What are the most common issues you see with turbine seals, and how do they impact performance?

The most common issues with turbine seals are radial & axial rubbing and material degradation.  Radial rubbing typically occurs due to holder out-of-roundness, holder misalignment, rotor bows, or internal component movements during operation.  It is important to note that OEM design radial clearances may be insufficient based on unit specific operation.  Radial rubbing dulls/wears the packing teeth promoting more leakage across the seals which negatively impacts unit performance.  Axial rubbing typically occurs due to diaphragm dishing, shell creep, or unit operational issues.  During an axial rub event the packing ring high teeth become rolled over/cut off which negatively impacts unit performance due to excessive clearances.

What proactive maintenance steps can customers take to maximize the lifespan of their turbine seals?

A proper steam turbine alignment and custom installation is critical to maximizing the lifespan of new turbine seals.  MD&A’s highly skilled technicians perform custom installation of packing rings and tip seals using our CNC equipped portable machine shop.  MD&A’s installation process ensures optimal clearances, maintains design efficiency, and reduces the likelihood of vibration due to seal rubs.

Another option to maximize the lifespan of turbine seals is to install MD&A’s advanced sealing technology – Guardian Packing.  Should a rub occur, the Guardian posts contact the rotor first, preventing damage to the knife-edged teeth, and thus maintaining efficiency of the seal.

Being promoted from within the company, how has MD&A helped in your career development and what has kept you here over the years? How would you describe our company culture?

MD&A has gone above and beyond to provide training and resources to aid my career development.  There are always new growth opportunities around the corner.  I couldn’t imagine working for anyone besides MD&A at this point – the “Team first” mentality and expertise sets us apart from our competition.  My favorite aspect of our company culture is we “always do the right thing” for both our employees and customers.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at MD&A?

Give 100% effort and don’t be afraid to ask questions – hard work pays off at MD&A.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

Solo skydiving.  After one jump, I retired from the sport.

The post Drew Spears appeared first on MDA Turbines.

Background

I started with MD&A in 2009 as a machinist for the Steampath Department in the St. Louis repairs facility. At that time, Steampath had started to integrate CNC machining into the repair work. I was hired to help with that integration. Before I started with MD&A, I ran a CNC shop for 5 years and taught night classes on programming and running CNC machines at a local trade school.

What do you do here at MD&A? What aspect do you enjoy most about your role at MD&A?

I am the CNC Department Manager for the Turbine-Generator Repair Division. When I first started with MD&A, we had 1 Haas Vertical Mill and 2 Bridgeport EZ Track Mills. Today, we have over 20 pieces of CNC equipment and provide support to all departments at the St. Louis Repair Facility. One of the things I enjoy most about my job is working with all the departments here at the shop. I get to see how the repair work flows through the facility and how each team coordinates their part of the process to ensure that all components arrive on site at the right time.

What is the most interesting challenge you have come across on a job or project? 

One of the most interesting projects that I have worked on is the manufacture of new retaining rings. The first set of retaining rings that we made is still the largest set that we have done to date. I really enjoyed developing the processes and programs to complete that project. We have now gone on to manufacture over 40 sets of retaining rings in the last 5 years.

What’s something you wish more people knew about the CNC machining work that goes into turbine repairs?

Something that I wish more people knew is the amount of thought and planning that takes place before any cuts are ever made. In many cases, these are large parts that would be very costly to replace. It’s important to get it right the first time.

Why did you choose to work for MD&A and why have you continued to choose to work at MD&A? How would you describe our company culture?

I started with MD&A because the work looked interesting, and I thought there was an opportunity to grow with the company. I’ve stayed with MD&A because, after more than 15 years, I still find the work challenging and rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in CNC machining or repair in the power generation industry?

For someone looking to start in this industry, I would say don’t be afraid to ask questions and step out of your comfort zone.

What’s one skill you’d love to learn, whether for work or just for fun?

I would like to learn to be a better welder. Welding is something that I have done occasionally, but never long enough to get good at it. At some point, I would like to be decent at it.

The post Kyle Martin appeared first on MDA Turbines.