About Us | WBTO

We Boil The Ocean

The driving force behind WBTO is envisioning a world where students gain lucrative manufacturing career opportunities—right out of high school. To accomplish our goal, we assembled industry professionals to collaborate with educators, bringing industry expertise to CTE classroom instructors.

Through these partnerships, WBTO bridges industry and education, empowering students whilst establishing a robust talent pipeline for the manufacturing sector.

Join us. Together, we can create meaningful connections, address larger challenges, and inspire a new generation of talent. We are dedicated to excellence, passionate about our work, and committed to making a difference.

Some people ask us why we picked our name: “We Boil the Ocean.” Our answer? Our students, our schools, and our manufacturing economy are worth the effort.

FOUNDER, WBTO

Meet The Team

Carol Eagan

Education Expert

Carol Egan, brings over 30 years of experience in K-18 systems as a teacher and district leader. She is a visionary and a “get things done” type of education coach, mentor, and advocate for students and school staff. Her innovation in education creates authentic learning experiences that prepare students for careers and college. As Director of the Center for Advanced Learning, she expanded CTE programs, summer camps, business partnerships, and industry-specific internships, while also receiving multiple grants. Carol is passionate about creating an educational environment that empowers students and teachers while encouraging their growth. Her innovative approach to education and curriculum development, combined with her advocacy for student success, make her a valuable partner to WBTO, LLC.

Chris Holden

Principal Consultant

Founder

Chris Holden is an experienced CEO and consultant with a passion for education and training in the manufacturing industry. He is the CEO of WBTO, LLC, a leading technical support services provider for the manufacturing and education sectors in the Pacific Northwest. With over a decade of experience as the owner of KCR Manufacturing, where he designed and manufactured firefighting equipment and provided specialized manufacturing services, and his time serving in various roles at Willamette Pattern Works, Inc., including Vice President and General Manager, Chris brings a wealth of experience to WBTO. Chris has received recognition for his contributions to the field, including the Career and Technical Education Promising Practices Award from the Oregon Association for Career and Technical Education.

Ashley Schaer

Workforce Readiness Fractional COO

Ashley Schaer is an experienced professional who serves as WBTO's Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO). Her expertise in business management and leadership development is essential in promoting manufacturing education and workforce development in the Pacific Northwest. Ashley provides our workforce readiness training to ensure students are prepared with the interpersonal skills needed by industry. She works collaboratively with multiple community partners, analyzes and evaluates practices, and makes recommendations to improve processes and procedures. As a Fractional COO, her services are essential in maintaining the organization's operational and financial health to ensure resources are allocated effectively to best support WBTO initiatives.

Wayne Ikola

Industry Partnership

Wayne Ikola is a seasoned manufacturing professional, employer partnerships specialist, and relationship builder with 37 years of experience at Cascade Corporation, starting in his father's machine shop. As a partner at WBTO, LLC, Wayne brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in production management, quality management, and process improvement. His role involves developing employer partnerships, expanding student opportunities in manufacturing, and building connections with his vast network. Wayne's passion for creating opportunities for students extends beyond his work at WBTO, and he has served on advisory committees at MHCC. Wayne is excited to contribute his expertise to the WBTO team .

Brad Scott

Industry Partnerships

Brad Scott has 45 years of experience in the Investment Casting Industry (ICI), having held various positions including Engineering Program Manager and Rapid Prototyping Team Manager. He has worked with global customers from aerospace, medical, land-based gas turbine engines, and pump/compressor industries, gaining valuable insights into employers' needs and next-gen skills. Brad's expertise plays a vital role at WBTO, where he builds employer partnerships and aligns programs with industry standards, expanding opportunities for students. His dedication to manufacturing education and workforce development makes him an essential member of the WBTO team.

Sean Squires

CTE Instructor Training & Support

Sean Squires is a highly skilled WBTO team member who specializes in providing technical support and training to CTE instructors. He has over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, starting at Viking Industries after attending MHCC for electrical engineering. Sean later worked at Freightliner and Jones Heavy Equipment while pursuing his studies, eventually earning his AAS in machine tool technology in 1998. He began as a machinist assistant at Cascade corporation and worked his way up to CNC machine programmer before earning his BAS in business administration in 2014. Recently retired from Cascade after 25 years of service, Sean brings invaluable knowledge and expertise to the WBTO team

Brandon Roberts

Fractional CFO

Brandon serves as WBTO's Fractional CFO, providing valuable financial oversight, leveraging his extensive experience in accounting and financial management. With his expertise in managing accounting operations, analyzing financial data, and developing budgets and projections, Brandon helps ensure that WBTO has a sound financial footing to carry out its mission of promoting manufacturing education and workforce development in the Pacific Northwest. His insights and guidance are essential in maintaining the organization's financial health.

Cassandra Chilson

Accounting Expert

Cassandra Chilson is a skilled tax preparer and bookkeeper, with extensive experience in payroll, tax preparation, and bookkeeping. She has worked for several accounting firms, including Neumann Curtis CPAs and Fischer, Hayes, Joye & Allen LLC, and currently runs her own bookkeeping business, Bravura Bookkeeping. Cassandra is passionate about supporting the mission of WBTO and further the organization's goals. Her expertise in tax preparation and bookkeeping will be a valuable asset to WBTO's efforts to improve manufacturing education and workforce development in the Pacific Northwest.

Tom Sage

Engineering Consultant

Tom Sage is a highly experienced consulting engineer and owner of Sage Machine Design with over 24 years of experience in the field. He has provided his expertise to a variety of companies, including Metalcraft Fabrication and Premier Gear and Machine Works. He has also been a member/partner of KCR Manufacturing and an engineer at the Rokenbok Toy Company. Tom is passionate about supporting manufacturing education and has been providing his support to WBTO in various engineering projects and repairing equipment in high school manufacturing programs. His dedication to education and expertise in engineering make him a valuable partner to WBTO, LLC.

Anthony Deblock

Manufacturing Consultant

Anthony Deblock is an experienced manufacturing professional with a passion for CNC programming and production supervision. He has held key positions in companies like KCR Manufacturing, Willamette Pattern Works, and WATERAX. As President of Deblock Manufacturing and CNC Programmer at Rantech, Anthony has gained expertise in Mastercam and Fusion 360. He is a skilled problem-solver who understands cutting tool technology, and is committed to craftsmanship. At WBTO, Anthony provides support through equipment repair, project development, technical support, and curriculum development, contributing his extensive knowledge to the team's efforts.

Brent Thompson

CNC Service & Repair

Brent Thompson is a small business owner of Northwest CNC Service & Repair, providing CNC maintenance, services, and repair. Prior to starting his own business, Brent served as a Service Engineer at Selway Machine Tool Company and as a Machine Shop Supervisor at Haas Automation, Inc. for over 14 years. Brent is dedicated to supporting WBTO's mission by repairing machine tools and manufacturing equipment in high schools and partner employers throughout the Pacific Northwest. His expertise and experience make him an invaluable partner in WBTO's efforts to create greater opportunities for students in manufacturing.

Ricardo Gonzalez

CNC Machinist

Ricardo Gonzalez, an experienced CNC machinist and manufacturing engineer in the aerospace and commercial machining industries for over a decade, joined WBTO as a program facilitator/CNC mentor. He teaches high school students the basics of manufacturing engineering and CNC machining, focusing on CAD/CAM work, SolidWorks, and G&M code, including reading and writing G&M code by hand. Ricardo collaborated with the robotics and AR/VR team on a project to create a 3D camera mount on an RC car. His expertise in CNC programming, precision machining, and process improvement makes him a valuable member of the WBTO team.