Cultivating Collaboration and Expertise: Spotlight on Chris Gomez

Our team is excited to shine the spotlight on Chris Gomez, an integral member of the AMT team. Well respected within the greater AMT organization, Chris was nominated not once, but five times last year for the company’s RISE Core Values awards, and was a 2022 recipient of the award.

As an Automation Engineer 1, Chris has taken on the responsibility of a lead robot programmer for one of AMT’s most important strategic partnerships, specifically focused on an electric vehicle battery project for a key end user. Steering a team of 12, Chris orchestrates the intricate dance of setup, debugging, and validation for four 16-robot lines and two 3-robot lines. With five of these lines already in production, Chris dedicates his time to executing smaller projects that enhance production efficiency. Looking ahead, he will collaborate with other team members to drive the next generation of these lines and expand their implementation across various sites. One of his teammates referenced this project in Chris’s RISE nomination, “Chris has taken on leadership of the team on a project with a large customer. He has become indispensable to the customer and the project. He has earned the respect of the individuals on his team and has encouraged and mentored a number of new hires on the team.”

Chris's journey with AMT commenced right after college, under unique circumstances. While troubleshooting a collaborative FANUC robot during his senior project at Lake Superior State University (LSSU), he had a chance encounter with Jason Markesino which eventually led him to AMT through his professor, Jim Devaprasad. This initial connection brought him to AMT, and he has remained dedicated to the company ever since. His involvement in the EV battery project has been a defining experience. From its inception, Chris has contributed significantly to the project's evolution. He played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of various iterations of the production line, culminating in his current leadership role. Of the project, another teammate commented, “Chris has stepped up to become a leader by exhibiting all of AMT's core values and has demonstrated a professional maturity well beyond his years.”

"Chris has proven to be an invaluable asset not just to our company, but notably to one of our key customers and their pivotal project. His dedication goes beyond his role as an Automation Engineer; he actively mentors our new team members, embodying our core values in every interaction. It's no surprise that he was recognized in 2022 as a RISE Core Values Award recipient. Chris exemplifies what it means to be a true team player, and we're fortunate to have him on our side," said Craig Salvalaggio, President of AMT.

Originally from Ohio and later moving to Northern Michigan, Chris has found his current home in Romeo, Michigan. He holds a double major in mechanical engineering and robotics engineering from LSSU. Chris's parents, Steve and Janet Gomez, have been instrumental in shaping his journey. Their encouragement and hands-on approach to learning have been the foundation of his technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Outside of his demanding role, Chris enjoys a variety of hobbies, including skiing, camping, cooking, collecting and shooting firearms, longboarding, working out, and playing video games with friends.

What Chris values most about working at AMT is the spirit of collaboration that permeates the company culture. "I'm  truly impressed by the collaborative spirit at AMT. During my time at the company, I have received numerous business cards from people I met, all offering help whenever needed. Even those in all leadership roles, including C-suite roles, continually emphasize their availability, which is unique to an organization," said Chris. “I've reached out to colleagues a few times for robot troubleshooting, and knowing there's a supportive network to assist when I'm stuck is really reassuring."