Joseph E. Fritz
Process Control & Quality Assurance Specialist
Fun Facts
- Baseball enthusiast, having seen games at all 30 MLB stadiums and all 23 Spring Training facilities with my wife (she likes baseball too)
- Avid motorcyclist (Rides Indians), and is currently restoring a 1971 Aermacchi 350SX (a.k.a. Harley-Davidson Sprint)
- I play guitar and am a former professional musician, playing in various bands (Rock, Jazz & Polka) and teaching lessons
- Great love and respect for the outdoors, enjoying camping, hiking and fishing
- Enjoys photography, home improvements, cooking and entertaining
- Passionate about spending time with my family and traveling with my wife, enjoying local cultures, architecture and cuisine
- Volunteer with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, where I co-facilitate a caregiver support group and conduct an annual Awareness and Fund-Raising event at Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks)
A Brief overview
Joe has 45 years’ experience in the investment casting industry, working for such industry leaders as the Howmet Corporation and the Doncasters Group. In his most recent role, he served as the Executive Director for the Investment Casting Institute. Joe has held positions in engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and facilities management, as well as serving in several corporate roles including market analysis, planning, program management and business development. He is well experienced with equiaxed, poly-crystal and single crystal casting methods, serving military, commercial aviation and power generation programs.
Accomplishments
- Led the development of “Standard Test Procedures for Pattern Materials” online, interactive utility – 2024
- Secured grant funding from America Makes for the development of AM printed ceramic shells; led industry collaborative R&D initiative 2023-2024
- Established Advanced Manufacturing for Investment Casting (AM4IC) annual symposium – 2023
- Developed “Process Control Standards for Investment Casting” and established Process Control Standards Certification Program – 2022
- Led development and presentation of investment casting training program for Tinker Air Force Base Supply Depot – 2019
- Published over 200 technical and human-interest articles in INCAST Magazine – 2014-2024
- Established Investment Casting Hall of Honor and Innovator of the Year recognition programs
