This exec can be found riding a wakeboard — and manufacturing parts for them

Jace Hovey graduated in 2020 with a mechanical engineering degree, but he felt his classes weren't enough to prepare him for a career as an engineer.

That's why he helped start Orlando-based Stemworks LLC the same year to provide in-person advanced manufacturing training. Plus, the company's launch addressed a major need in the Central Florida community in 2020: high rates of furloughs and unemployment due to the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stemworks in the past year trained more than two dozen people through CARES Act funds. Next, Hovey and Stemworks plan to build a solid business foundation to turn Stemworks into a long-term venture.

Hovey is one of Orlando Inno's inaugural Inno Under 25 nominees, Central Florida residents who are 25 years old or younger and making significant contributions to the region's innovation ecosystem. Here’s more: 

Briefly explain what your business does: Stemworks is an advanced manufacturing training provider and production company. We focus on CNC machinery and robotics. During Covid, we provided training through the CARES Act to people financially affected by Covid. On the production side, we utilize robotic automation to make parts for our local industry, including Ingenity Electric, a subsidiary of Correct Craft that makes electric wakeboard boats.

When and why was Stemworks started? Stemworks was started in June 2020 with the goal of making better engineers and streamlining manufacturing. As a UCF mechanical engineering graduate, I felt poorly prepared from my education alone to be a good engineer. It takes considerable experience and hands-on learning to be decent. The CARES Act provided scholarships for the community to be able to up-skill and get more hands-on experience during that challenging time. We took this opportunity to work closely with CareerSource to build a training focused on giving UCF students who were financially affected by Covid hands-on experience.

What are Stemworks' greatest accomplishments of the last 12 months? Completing the training of 28 students for the CARES Act, partnering with Haas Automation to be their robotic training partner in the southeastern U.S. and becoming the preferred metal parts supplier for a few of our production machining customers

What are Stemworks' goals for 2022? Sustainability. We will hit the two-year mark of our business in 2022, which will be a big milestone for cash flow and credit. Having a strong foundation as a business is important for our long-term goals. This means continuing to build strategic relationships and working hard to implement robust internal procedures. 

What’s your go-to drink to power you through the work day? Monster Rehab

Jace Hovey, chief operating officer, Stemworks LLC 

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