Jason Leigh

STI Class of 1996

Degree: Machine Tool Technology

Computer Numerical Control Operations Manager

Scherer Corrugating; Tea, SD

From Blenders to Rockets

Jason Leigh Finds His Niche Creating Tools that Make Life as We Know It a Reality

Growing up in the state of Washington, Jason Leigh didn’t realize at that time where his destiny was pulling him. Having served in the Marine Corps as a military policeman for four years, he decided to make a change and followed his sister and brother-in-law to LeMars, Iowa to work in their new machine shop creating crankshafts for outboard engines.

It was then, that Jason fell in love with the Midwest, but determined he would need to get formal training to succeed in the field. After bouncing between school and work, he discovered the Machine Tool program at Southeast Tech. “Southeast provided me with the opportunity to learn a high-tech skill and apply it immediately after I graduated, which I did. I really believe if you have an aptitude for something and Southeast provides a course for it you’ll succeed. Their machine tool program is hands-down the best in the area.”

After graduating, Jason spent two years working in the Sioux Falls area as well as teaching a class at Southeast.”It was then that he was presented with an offer he couldn’t refuse with an aerospace company, taking him to Washington once more. However, after just six months and with a phone call nearly every day from Bob Scherer, owner of Scherer Corrugating and Machine in Tea, South Dakota, Jason came back to Sioux Falls.

Today, Jason works on developing materials for the agricultural industry, including biofuels, specializing in parts that were previously only offered overseas with a three month wait. “My boss created a machine to crack corn as you harvest it and then when the ethanol boom hit we stepped into that as well which has become the mainstay of our business.”

As to whether Jason is happy with his decision to return to the Midwest? “I think I was destined to end up in Sioux Falls forever. It has allowed me to buy a home, get married and give a little bit of it back. It has been wonderful coming back to raise a family. Everything has just been perfect for my wife and I.”