R&D Machine Lathe Machinist Receives High Honor
Marc Adams is a self-described hard worker. When he has seen an opportunity to complete a task at R&D Machine, he has never hesitated.
For that reason, along with the strong capabilities he’s displayed as a lathe machinist, Marc has earned the Compass Precision Employee of the Month title for February 2026. Compass announced Marc as its second employee of the month in 2026 on Tuesday.
”Marc is truly deserving of the recognition that comes with being named Compass’s Employee of the Month,” explained Justin Kovscek, R&D’s VP & GM. “He is a bulldog in terms of completing tasks. He just never stops.”
Marc is the eighth R&D Machine employee to earn the honor from its parent company, Compass Precision. The most recent recipient of the award from the Oldsmar machine shop was Mike Shupe in September 2025.
Overall, Marc is the 72nd Compass Precision Employee of the Month since the company founded the honor in March 2020.
Marc has worked at R&D Machine for the past eight and a half years. It was his first job in the United States after he emigrated from England nearly a decade ago.
Over his tenure at R&D, Marc has served as one of the company’s top lathe machinists. When other responsibilities came open with staff turnover, Marc has often been the first one to volunteer to help.
In addition to operating the lathes, Marc runs the company’s forklift for deliveries. He also operates the saw.
“It’s just in my nature,” said Marc. “If I can help out, I will.
“I don’t mind doing it. I’m not afraid of hard work.”
His CNC experience dates back 30 years. Marc worked on lathes at multiple shops in England. He started his career at a general engineering company that made steering columns. Marc then worked for a machine shop that produced aerospace parts.
Marc’s stints at both companies lasted about 12 years. He also served as the second company’s first-aid officer.
At R&D Machine, Marc characterized his day-to-day tasks as always different. But he routinely runs 2-3 lathes at once while unloading and loading trucks.
Marc called the rockets and missiles work R&D has received since becoming a Compass operating company in 2022 “very interesting.” He sees himself staying in his role until he decides it’s time to stop working.
“I like the people I work with. I like the work that we do. I like the direction that we’re headed,” said Marc. “I really enjoy working here. I don’t see myself going anywhere else until I retire.”
Marc moved to America in December 2016 to marry his wife, Amie. The couple met on Facebook and despite being on different continents, started dating. After video chatting for several months, the two decided to meet.
Following two years of long-distance dating, Marc decided to move to the U.S. Amie lived with him for a month in England before his move.
In his free time, Marc plays pool with his brother-in-law every Friday. Marc loves wildlife and enjoys seeing birds and squirrels in his backyard.
Marc is from Coventry, England. He has two sons that still live across the Atlantic.