About
John Cross is a highly accomplished technical and organizational manufacturing leader with a proven track record of driving technology development and innovation. With over 25 years of experience in CNC programming, development, and manufacturing, he has worked across entrepreneurial startups and legacy companies, demonstrating expertise in precision machining, tooling, programming, and techniques. He is recognized for his leadership in lean manufacturing, training, and as a Digital Factory Architect. John has excelled in dynamic roles spanning customer-facing positions, sales, operations, facilities, and direct hands-on implementation.
At Micro Corporation, a global medical device developer and contract manufacturer, John held the position of Director of Advanced Machining since 2019. He was promoted to this role for exceeding goals and generating new market revenue. His responsibilities expanded to include serving as a Digital Factory Architect and leading additive manufacturing initiatives. Notably, he spearheaded the implementation of Micro's digital twin, "Odin," a real-time view of the manufacturing floor integrated with the company's ERP system. John's expertise as a CNC Subject Matter Expert (SME) enabled him to program multi-axis CNC machines and collaborate closely with customers' engineering, quality, and design teams to optimize design for manufacturing (DFM) processes.
Prior to his current role, John served as Senior Manager Precision Machining at Micro Corporation from 2016 to 2018. As a member of the Senior Management Team, he led the development, technical oversight, and execution of new CNC manufacturing platforms, technologies, and processes. His contributions led to a remarkable average annual revenue growth of 15%, driven by the profitability of CNC and Swiss Machining processes. John also introduced metal and polymer-based additive manufacturing techniques, simplifying designs, achieving cost reductions, and enhancing quality. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Micro's entry into the surgical robot marketplace by introducing Willemin-Macodel MT machines.
From 2010 to 2015, John held the position of Manager Precision Machining at Micro Corporation, where he was recruited during a strategic shift. He successfully delivered a comprehensive manufacturing platform encompassing precision Multi-Axis CNC, Swiss, EDM, Additive, Precision Electrolytic Machining (PEM), and CIM. John played a vital role in establishing a revenue-generating CNC manufacturing facility from scratch, positioning Micro as a world-class precision machining company. He also supported customer-facing sales engineering efforts, developed and delivered fully automated CNC capabilities to international partners, and led the development of an NJ State Certified training program for apprentice union toolmakers.
At Structure Medical, an ISO 13485 Orthopedics implant manufacturer, John served as a Manufacturing Manager and CNC Programmer from 2006 to 2010. He played a critical role in the successful start-up of the company, managing manufacturing operations and driving growth, efficiency, quality, and on-time deliveries through lean-based initiatives. John's expertise in programming Haas, Chiron, and Willemin-Macodel CNC machines was instrumental in securing critical product development contracts.
John's professional journey began when he founded Metro Technology in 1993. While attending Rhode Island College, he established this engineering services firm, offering Multi-Axis CNC Programming and machining, prototyping, 3D scanning, reverse engineering, and manufacturing consulting services. Over 13 years, he expanded the business to include additional offerings such as light manufacturing, production assembly, packaging, and manufacturing consulting. John earned regional recognition as an entrepreneurial leader in the prototyping market, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like 3D scanning, NURBS-based surface modeling, and multi-axis high-speed precision CNC machining. Notably, he successfully commercialized the use of the Renishaw Cyclone scanning system, providing digitized reproductions of century-old handmade masterpiece