Q & A with Automated Manufacturing Systems (AMS) Grad Ryan Guthrie

The 29-year-old executive vice president of TM Robotics (Americas) Inc. in Elk Grove Village, Illinois got his start at FVTC and has traveled the world to bring automation to several industries.

What first brought you to Fox Valley Technical College?

I was first introduced to Fox Valley Tech through a campus Discovery Day event that I attended with other students from my high school. At the end of a tour, our group went by the AMS Lab, and I haven’t looked back since!

How did FVTC help you?

Fox Valley Tech was an integral part of my success. I have learned that its AMS program is really a unique offering, not only in the U.S., but globally as well.

I have yet to meet another technician anywhere in the world who was trained with such a variety of industrial disciplines while earning his or her degree. Fox Valley Tech has made it easier for me to adapt to the ever-changing global market as trends come and go and new technologies come into play.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

Every day is a new challenge. One day I might be quoting a new high-speed robot for an application in the food industry, and the next day I could be troubleshooting a machine that is part of a multi-million dollar assembly line for the auto industry. Another day could find me visiting a customer with an application in the bio-medical/pharmaceutical industry.

And of course, I love the travel! I can’t think of a better way to see the world, meet new people, and get exposure to so many different cultures.

What advice can you give others about selecting a college today?

Students and parents should look for programs that encourage hands-on learning and training, in addition to having close ties to local industry.

These days, it seems everyone is looking for new employees with experience. With Fox Valley Tech, for example, you can graduate and enter the workforce with real job experience under your belt. That is a win/win!

Quick Facts:

• 96% placement for graduates of FVTC’s Automated Manufacturing Systems program over the past three years (FVTC’s Graduate Employment Research Reports, 2011, 2012, and 2013)

• $45,800 approximate average annual salary for graduates of FVTC’s Automated Manufacturing Systems program (FVTC’s Graduate Employment Research Report, 2013) 

Ryan Guthrie's Global Journey

2005: Graduated with an associate degree from FVTC’s Automated Manufacturing Systems program. 

2006: Resided and worked in Germany as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program. 

2008: Hired by TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd. as a technical and application support technician in England.

2010: Promoted to technical manager, overseeing all technical and application support for the company in Europe, Africa, India, the Middle East, and Russia.

2013: Currently executive vice president for TM Robotics (Americas) Inc. in the U.S., promoting and servicing Toshiba Machine’s industrial robots throughout North and South America, while still providing technical support in Europe, Africa, India, the Middle East, and Russia, and the Americas.