UNIVERSAL MACHINE & TOOL - Key Persons
Barbara came to Universal Machine & Tool in 2012, bringing with her a lifetime of blended skills that include data entry, accounting, inventory control, organizational management, customer service coordination and creative design. Graced with a sunny disposition and a passion for multi-tasking, she is the first face you see when you enter our facility and is eager to help in any capacity her capabilities allow.
Barbara has three children and lives in Gate City, VA. She spends her time away from work enjoying her family, performing volunteer services in the community and playing guitar.
With a formal background in accounting, Darrel spent many years employed in purchasing as a buyer for mechanical and electrical supplies prior to operating in a maintenance environment for more than a decade. These cumulative past experiences serve him well as CEO and founder of Universal Machine & Tool Inc.
Darrel is a native of the Town of Nickelsville, located in Scott County, VA. He regularly engages in pursuits of philanthropy with friends and strangers alike.
Married with two daughters, Darrel loves and values family. He travels every chance he gets and is a military veteran having served six years with the U.S. Army National Guard.
Julia came to Universal Machine in 2006, bringing with her a collective ten years of experience in a business management environment. She previously held positions in accounting and processing with Medex Lab & spent four years as office manager for The Therapy Center. As UMT's chief accounting executive and office manager Julia is a reliable administrator devoted to the success of her customers and employees alike.
A native of Kingsport, she graduated from Sullivan North High School & attended ETSU and NSTCC. She has been married for 19 years to Brian Hill, and has attended Friendship Chapel Church for two decades. Together with her husband, she enjoys skiing, hiking and traveling at every given opportunity.
Paxton joined the team at Universal Machine & Tool in February of 2022. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in May of 2021. He also has a Level 1 Mechatronics Certification from Motlow State Community College. Paxton has gained leadership experience through earning his Eagle Scout, leading Bible studies at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Tennessee Tech, and is eager to build his career and apply his skills as a Mechanical Engineer at UMT.
Paxton grew up in McMinnville, TN, and met his wife at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN. He enjoys serving at church, riding motorcycles, working on cars, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
With 22-years experience at UMT, Shane possesses a varied background. He attended VA Tech and MECC. His uncanny ability to interpret customer prints and transcribe them into CNC programming for machining centers, Water-Jet, EDM and CMM, as well as operate the equipment to machine the parts, is not a trait easily found in today's machining markets. He is well versed with Autocad, Gibbs CAM, OMAX Make and Layout and Calypso.
Shane, his wife Lindsey and their two children currently reside in Nicklesville. He enjoys 4-wheeler riding, the outdoors and spending time with his two daughters. His family attends Uplift Church and one of his many hobbies is guitar playing.
Stephanie graduated from Sullivan North High School in 1991 and from East Tennessee State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in 1996. She went on to complete a Master of Science degree in social work from the University of Tennessee in 2001. She serves as Vice President at UMT and currently works as a Social Worker with the Veteran's Administration at the V.A. Mountain Home in Johnson City, TN.
Stephanie was born and raised in Kingsport and currently lives with her husband Chris and three children, Carter, Riley and Emily in Johnson City. She enjoys spending her free time traveling with her family.