A career that began with small engines grows into something larger!

Aviation Opens the Door

Engine work eventually led him toward aviation through Kitty Hawk, after involvement with a model airplane club and the Hamburg Fliers. When he learned that youth could help rebuild a real B-25 bomber, his path gained momentum.

“I wanted to work on airplanes, but I didn’t know how. What I learned at the Academy showed me I could actually work on planes!”

Hands-on opportunities with real aircraft convinced him that working with his hands was his future. Though others nudged him toward engineering, Alistair discovered where he truly thrived — applied skill, not theory alone.

Ahead of the Curve

During COVID he began working on cars professionally, then moved into community college studies in automotive service and welding. His background gave him a noticeable advantage.

“Many students were working with machines for the first time, and I already had the basics. It let me jump right in.”

He credits what he learned at Bendix Academy with giving him the practical comfort level that changed his trajectory.

Welding, Problem-Solving & Helping Others

Today Alistair volunteers his skills when others need help — from alternators and roadside repairs to welding jobs.

“It’s rewarding to have something you’ve worked for, and I’ve learned a lot along the way.”

Welding became another foundational skill — thanks initially to Kitty Hawk — and it eventually led him to his current professional roles, where he works with large-scale locomotive engines and continues to develop advanced welding skills including MIG and other processes.

Words for the Next Generation

If a middle- or high-school student wondered whether Bendix was worth trying, Alistair’s message is simple:

“If you have any interest in toolmanship, definitely go to Bendix. It really gets the ball rolling.”

Toolmanship’s Impact

It’s always a pleasure for Todd, the founder of Bendix Academy, to run into Alistair around town. Recently, the two had the chance to catch up, reminiscing about the past and sharing insights on the powerful journey Alistair has had since his time at the Academy (see photo left).

Alistair’s visits to Bendix Academy during events are always a highlight. He takes the time to engage with students, offering a rare and valuable perspective on how the toolmanship skills learned at the Academy are still shaping his career today. His stories are more than just reflections of personal success; they serve as a testament to the transformative impact Bendix Academy has had on his life and the lives of countless others.

We’re incredibly grateful for Alistair’s continued support and for the way he exemplifies the long-lasting influence of our programs. His commitment to the craft and the community is a powerful reminder that the lessons learned here resonate far beyond the classroom — shaping careers, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation of makers for years to come.

Please contact us at toolmen@bendixacademy.org for any questions,
or click below to submit an application to become a student!

Support Tomorrow’s Toolmen TODAY for less than a latte!

“I still remember the moment it lit me up inside…”

Zelie’s very first day in the workshop showed her something unexpected: toolmanship could build confidence, independence, and a whole new sense of what she was capable of. Curiosity turned into a spark that shaped her work and her future. As one of our original students, Zelie was part of defining the mission that became Bendix Academy. This is her story, in her own words.

Confidence Translates to Fixing and Saving

“My time with my mentors gave me the confidence to try to fix things on my own.  When I bought my first car, I knew it had a few rusty spots.  Those rusty spots quickly turned into bigger holes the size of my fist.  Instead of junking the car or paying someone else a big chunk of change or waiting for it to compromise the structural integrity of my vehicle, what I might have done before, I decided to fix it myself,” Zelie asserts. “I got my supplies and spent a day painting a panel on my car, removing rust, and patching up my car with Bondo.  I used a power sander to sand it down, sprayed a rust preventative, then painted over it with a factory match paint and a sealant. 

“When I worked in an industrial kitchen at Damascus Missionary, I was helping feed 750 people every day.  As you can imagine, it creates quite a pile of dishes.  Well, what do you do when the dishwasher breaks?  You wash everything by hand… unless you were a student with the Bendix Academy! Then you open that sucker up, ask for a wrench, and solve the problem.  So that is what I did.  I opened up the massive industrial dishwasher and tried to figure out the issue.  I might not be a dishwasher repairman, but I was able to find a loose bolt that was wreaking a lot of havoc, request the correct tool, and fix it.”

“I will know how to work with my husband to renovate our home.  I will know how to maintain my property.  Even if you end up being a stay-at-home mom or wife, you will use these skills.  I feel that Bendix Academy has made me a more competent person, and I am thankful for it!”

Zelie’s Advice to Young Students

If I could offer a piece of advice to the younger students, I would say to use your skills as often as you can.  Offer your skills to others because their need becomes your experiential learning that will cement what you are being taught.  If you can do it yourself, don’t pay someone.  You have been given a unique ability, so use it and give it.  That will truly make you the best student.

“These skills will put you ahead of everyone.  Take advantage of it and don’t worry if you choose the wrong one.  If you like it more than flipping burgers at McDonald’s, that just might be the choice you are faced with. You won’t ever regret starting out in the trades.  Don’t worry if you don’t end there.“

We’re deeply grateful to Zelie for sharing her story — a vivid reminder of what Bendix Academy makes possible. Her experience shows how hands-on mentoring builds confidence, problem-solving, and the courage to take on toolmanship challenges in work, at home, and for others.

Zelie’s journey echoes what we hear from so many students: when young people discover they can do things for themselves, they carry that confidence into every part of life. Bendix Academy equips students with practical skills, and even more importantly, it shapes capable adults who strengthen their families, workplaces, and communities.

Please contact us at toolmen@bendixacademy.org for any questions,
or click below to submit an application to become a student!

Support Tomorrow's Toolmen TODAY for less than a latte!

Meet Mat, former Bendix Academy student, now a Full Service Technician!

Mat started out with simple tasks but quickly earned opportunities to take on more complex work, including heavily involved powertrain repairs and meticulous electrical projects. He laughs that while both home and professional work require being meticulous, the big difference at the dealership is “a lot more paperwork!”

When asked what made him a strong candidate for automotive work, Mat immediately credits his father. Growing up, Mat was a regular fixture in their garage, helping or watching whatever project was underway. One of his earliest experiences was bleeding the brakes on his fathers car, a 1967 Chevy Camaro Convertible. That early exposure sparked a lifelong interest in how things work.

Still, he had learned how to think critically and work through problems step by step. He relied on technical manuals, patience, and the perseverance that toolmanship training had taught him.

During high school, Mat originally wasn’t sure what direction to take— But with his chance encounter at the local Meijer, he had an opportunity under one of the Big 3 automakers. With the experience of restoring the Willys and the Matador cementing his love for repairing and maintaining vehicles or machines and with his dad’s encouragement—“All knowledge is good knowledge. You won’t know unless you try.”—Mat found his calling as an automotive technician.

At Brighton Ford, Mat began as a “Lube Tech”, one of the entry-level roles in the shop. It was fast-paced, repetitive and demanding work, but he stuck with it and excelled. At his one year anniversary with the dealership, he was given the promotion into becoming a “Full Service Technician”, with initial repairs that included small tasks like software re-programming and light maintenance, and growing into full engine replacements in the current day. Though his schedule today leaves little room for side projects, Mat still enjoys applying his skills beyond the shop. He’s currently helping an elderly neighbor restore a 1926 half-ton truck, and restoring another Willys MB for himself, keeping alive the same spirit of craftsmanship he learned from his father.

Mat’s father, who passed away suddenly in December of 2024, was himself a gifted toolman, a longtime engineer who worked with many companies over the years, such as Perceptron, Tecla, Berts Custom Tackle, and FARO technology, and who “could do a bit of everything.” Mat carries on his father’s legacy not only through his mechanical work but in his everyday kindness, always ready to lend a hand. Today, Mat says he’s not exactly sure where his career and toolmanship skills will lead, but he knows he’s on the right path. “I’m learning more every day,” he says. “And I really like what I’m doing.”

Please contact us at toolmen@bendixacademy.org for any questions,
or click below to submit an application to become a student!

Support Tomorrow's Toolmen TODAY for less than a latte!