Home to the largest academic cleanroom in the Southeast, the Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS) prides itself on its outstanding employees. From laboratory operations to education and outreach, these employees are central to IMS’s continued success. 

One employee in particular, Dean Sutter, has supported the success of IMS for more than 18 years. As process equipment engineering manager, Sutter leads a team of engineers responsible for optimizing and maintaining equipment and manufacturing processes in the cleanroom. 

In the following Q&A, Sutter discusses some of his favorite moments, challenges, and surprises during his time at IMS.

What is your favorite aspect of your job? 

"Every day presents new challenges. It is never the same thing from day to day"

What has been your most rewarding challenge?

“Getting the PlasmaTherm Single Chamber running after multiple months of downtime.”

What is your favorite project you are working on or have worked on? 

"Modifying lab equipment to enable our users to get the results they are after."

Since February, what equipment have you modified and how?

“We haven't had to modify anything lately, but we started bringing some of our more than 30-year-old tooling up to modern equipment standards in terms of vacuum components and control systems. An example would be going from bearing turbo pumps to magnetically levitated pumps and Windows 95 to modern programmable logic controllers.”

What has been your favorite lab equipment to work with?

“I do not have any favorites, but I do like seeing all the presentations from our users on the research being done in the cleanroom. I also enjoy attending Ph.D. defense presentations and seeing the completed work.”

What is something you never thought you would learn in this position?

“Learning the personal side of employee management. As an equipment engineer–not a manager–there is a pretty distinct separation between the personal and professional sides of people. In management, those lines are blurred, and you have to deal with both.”

You have been with IMS for 18 years. What has kept you here all these years?

“This organization has allowed me to substantially grow my professional career over the years. I started with Bob Rose and then transitioned to Gary Spinner's team. Both gentlemen have been great mentors!”

Do you have any hobbies outside of work? Tell us about them. 

“I am an auto mechanic outside of Tech. I have rebuilt engines, worked on automatic transmissions, and done electrical troubleshooting. I enjoy building cars from the late 1920s, similar to the Ramblin’ Wreck, through the late 1960s. My current project is a 1949 Ford Truck. I also do construction, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and heavy equipment operation, such as running excavators. I’m always up for learning a new skill.”