Advanced Manufacturing

Instructor Bio
My name is Kent Cates (kcates@tipton-county.com), and I serve as the Advanced Manufacturing Instructor. I bring a diverse professional background in engineering technology, medical product management, and educational leadership. Throughout my career, I have developed industry-aligned programs in Advanced Manufacturing, Mechatronics, and Digital Electronics that prepare students for the demands of today’s workforce.

Before entering education, I held global marketing leadership roles with Smith & Nephew, where I managed multimillion-dollar product lines and successfully launched high-growth orthopedic solutions. I also have extensive experience in workforce development, industry partnership building, and delivering high-quality technical training.

I am known for my team-first mindset, competitive drive, and strong communication skills. Whether in the classroom or in industry settings, I am committed to creating a collaborative, growth-focused, and positive learning environment that helps students build real-world skills and succeed in their chosen career paths.

Videos  & Pictures

Advanced Manufacturing

(All of these video's & picutures are from our class)