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32 www.CNC-West.com CNC WEST June/July 2018 V aughn Wilson immigrated to the United States from England in the late 80’s and found work in the local aerospace industry. “Dad came here with $250 bucks, my mom and my older brother,” tells Luke Wilson, vice president of V & T Tooling Inc. “He managed to start a career and then eventually a com- pany from practically nothing.” Vaughn was a tooling guy and apprenticed at a well- respected program in England. When he came to the states he looked for a job and was immediately hired in a lead position, but his youth didn’t always sit well with others. “You can imagine that these 50 year old Americans didn’t always appreciate having a 25 year old Brit telling them what to do,” explains Luke. “It is hard to believe now but people filed false complaints about work visas to try and have him deported. I still run into people who came over on the same plane with him. All of his friends are doing well for themselves. They came to the land of opportunity and flourished. Dad retired pretty early in life and I’ve been running the company now for a few years.” Luke Wilson has been with V & T Tooling pretty much since the beginning. He remembers being 6 or 7 years old sitting on a 5-gallon bucket and making parts on his dad’s old Bridgeports. While other kids played video games he machined parts. All through school he spent his time after school and on weekends in the shop. By the time he could drive and legally work at V & T Tooling he had a decade of experience under his belt. Now as vice president that experience has paid off and his youth is overshadowed by his depth of knowledge. “Every chance I got I was in the shop making parts and learning,” explains Luke. “It makes a big difference now that I am running the company. The guys on the floor might be older, but they respect my leadership because I’ve been in their position and worked all their jobs. I don’t just manage I step in and help” Vaughn built V & T Tooling from the ground up after being dissatisfied by his salary working for others. By day he worked for Convairin San Diego and at night for Lock- heed Martin. Temecula was a up an coming new suburb out of the city at the time and they settled down to stay NEVER A DULL DAY AT V & T TOOLING Article & Photos by Sean Buur V & T TOOLING INC. Luke Wilson vice president of V & T Tooling Inc.