VIDEO: Emerging Leader is Much More than a CNC Programmer

2022 Emerging Leader Josh Hoppert focuses on continuous improvement for both him and his co-workers at Norman Noble. Watch and learn about his role there as milling programmer.

While Josh Hoppert is five-axis CNC programmer/milling lead at Norman Noble Inc. by name, he is way more meaningful to his company than his title portrays. This 30-year-old 2022 Emerging Leader is a talented innovator, trainer, teacher and loyal hard worker, respected by all his co-workers. He’s the go-to employee when someone on the shop floor needs a problem solved. He is patient and generous with his time. He goes the extra mile for anyone who asks for his help.

Although milling is his primary focus, Hoppert, who has an associate degree in mechanical engineering and has been working in a machine shop since high school graduation, also has experience with Swiss machining, additive manufacturing and programming inspection equipment. “He knows almost everything about all the manufacturing processes,” says his nominator, Joseph Noble, junior operations officer at Norman Noble. “He can solve any problem I bring to him, even if it’s about my specialty 3D printing.”

In the eight years Hoppert has worked at Normal Noble (Highland Heights, Ohio), he has taught himself many machining skills that have benefited the entire company. For instance, he not only taught himself how to program the company’s five-axis CNC mills but he also figured out its CAM software and became its best programmer, according to Noble. Shortly after he taught himself how to use the five-axis milling machines, Hoppert taught Noble how to set up and program them as well.

“He was the best trainer I ever had, and I’ve had 15 or more,” Noble says.

Emerging Leader Josh Hoppert says Norman Noble already trains all its employees, new and current, up to the level at which they feel completely capable in their positions. With the help of a local college, the company is implementing Training Within Industry, a method of hands-on training, learning and coaching for supervisors, team leaders and workers that is done both in a class setting and on the shop floor. Photo credit: Norman Noble Inc.

Hoppert says his goal is to grow his leadership experience while implementing new technologies and training programs at Norman Noble.

“Josh is the employee we all wish for,” Noble says. “He deserves recognition because he never seeks it, and I can’t imagine anyone who deserves it more.”

To learn more about Hoppert and the other 2022 Production Machining Emerging Leaders, read Emerging Leaders’ Viewpoints and Training and Retention, and don’t forget to watch the video with the combined interviews while you’re there!