My name is Ryan Alford and this is my story. I enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1999. I began my career working on CH53E helicopters. I did 5 years in the Marine Corps before getting out and working on Army aircraft as a civilian contractor. I went to aviation powerplant school after the military in Houston, TX where I learned how to pull apart, inspect, and rebuild aircraft engines and transmissions. When I graduated I went to work for DynCorp International as a sheet metal fabricator/repair tech. This is when my love for sheet metal fabrication began. I learned how to work with aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, carbon steel, carbon fiber, kevlar, and fiberglass. I learned how to heat treat parts, build molds, and fabricate almost anything I want out of these materials. I still have so much to learn but I am bringing what I have learned to my business and sharing it with the world. From DynCorp International I went to work for SpaceX in McGregor, Tx. At SpaceX my main job for 3 years was working on the 1st stage rocket. I can't even begin to explain all of the work I did and the things I learned there. After 4 1/2 years at SpaceX I moved on to Blue Origin in Van Horn, TX. Here in Van Horn is where we do the testing and launching. I was a facilities tech where I bent and flared tubing from 1/4" up to 1", worked with LOX, LH2, helium, and nitrogen. From the facilities side I became an engines technician where I was responsible for installing the engine to the test stand and preparing for engine testing. From there I moved over to the Quality Department. I am currently a Quality Assurance Specialist at Blue Origin.