We’re proud to announce that John Saunders has joined Toolpath’s Board of Directors!
John Saunders is the owner and founder of Saunders Machine Works (SMW), a manufacturer of machine shop tools and fixture plates. He has overseen the growth of SMW from a small manufacturer to a leading provider of fixturing plates and workholding tools to customers globally.
Prior to SMW, John was a Vice President at Petrus Partners, a New York City real estate private equity firm, and an analyst at JPMorgan’s Real Estate Investment Banking group. John also founded ProvenCut, a video library of CNC cutting tool feeds & speeds.
John is a recognized figure in the manufacturing industry, documenting his machining and entrepreneurial endeavors over the past 15 years through his popular YouTube channel NYC CNC. He is also an Autodesk Expert Elite member and a proud graduate of Babson College, where he earned a BS in Business Management, summa cum laude.
When John isn’t modeling in Fusion or at a CNC machine, he enjoys Arduino, piano, tennis, and spending time with his wife, two children, and their vizsla, MoMA, in Zanesville, Ohio.
“When I met Justin and Andy in 2023, I was struck by how Toolpath's AI-driven software could intelligently recognize solid model features and automate CAM processes. Their practical, hands-on approach to building both the software and the team was equally impressive. Bringing on Al Whatmough, a proven industry leader, as CEO, further highlights Toolpath's capacity to spearhead the transformative changes AI will bring to manufacturing. I am proud to join the board and support Toolpath as it continues to drive innovation and reshape the future of manufacturing.”
John Saunders
John’s unique perspective as a machinist, entrepreneur, and seasoned leader will help guide Toolpath as we continue to scale and deliver value to manufacturers worldwide,
"For each of us, regardless of career or position, it is critical to have people around us to tell us what we need to hear not just what we want to hear. Over the past decade, John has been an individual that I can consistently count on to speak to me directly in a way that I can trust is deeply genuine and not motivated by selfish ambition. I'm thrilled and thankful to have John here on this Toolpath Journey with me"
Al Whatmough