Meet Ben Bowman

posted On Tuesday, July 28, 2026 in Blog

Q&As with Ben Bowman

Ben, you joined the AHT team in April 2026. Tell us about your training and how has it prepared you to assist our customers?

My training has given me hands-on experience (pictured below) throughout the entire process, from receiving new parts to shipping finished products. I have also had the opportunity to learn more about the different heat treatments AHT offers, including ion nitriding, gas nitriding, ferritic nitrocarburizing, UltraOx®, induction hardening and other thermal processes. This experience has helped me better understand customer requirements, the importance of clear communication and how AHT’s team works together to meet each project’s specific needs.

One of the most interesting things I have learned is how many small details can affect the selected heat treatment and final results. Material type, prior heat treatment, part condition, processing parameters and testing requirements can all play an important role. Seeing this firsthand has reinforced the value of having experienced metallurgists and heat treatment professionals involved throughout the process and has better prepared me to answer customer questions and help identify the appropriate solution for their parts.

Prior to AHT, what was your professional background and how do you think that will come into play?

Before joining AHT, I worked as a Sales Engineer for KEYENCE Corporation in its Application Sensor Division, covering customers throughout Arkansas and Louisiana. That position gave me valuable experience working directly with manufacturers, learning about their processes and helping them identify technical solutions for specific applications. It also taught me the importance of asking the right questions, understanding the full scope of a customer’s challenge and communicating technical information in a clear and practical way.

I also had some previous experience with AHT while I was in high school, when I worked as general production support at the MidPort facility in Waterloo. That experience gave me an early look at the amount of care, precision and teamwork that goes into processing customers’ parts.

Each member of the AHT sales team has specific territories/customers they are responsible for. Which ones are assigned to you?

I work out of our Monroe, Michigan location and currently support customers and prospective customers throughout the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. I look forward to building relationships within these territories, learning more about the industries and applications we serve, and helping connect customers with AHT’s heat treatment capabilities and technical resources.

VIEW AHT MICHIGAN'S SERVICES

When you’re not working at AHT, how do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy golfing and watching baseball games.

What is one thing people may not know about Ben Bowman?

I like golf, but am horrible at it.

What is one thing people may not know about AHT?

People may not realize that AHT has access to on-site metallurgical expertise at each of our facilities. That technical support helps our teams evaluate materials, processes, test results and customer requirements more closely.

AHT is also a family-owned company - many of the Sharp and Woods family members have worked here over the years.

What is an accomplishment you are proud of?

Professionally, I am proud of the relationships I have built with customers and the projects those relationships have helped bring to the company. Earning a customer’s trust takes time, especially when their parts have critical performance requirements. It is rewarding to understand their needs, connect them with the right heat treatment solution and become someone they feel comfortable contacting with questions.

If a customer were to visit our Monroe facility, what would you recommend they do while they are in the area?

Sports fans can catch a Detroit Tigers or Toledo Mud Hens baseball game, with both cities approximately 30 minutes from Monroe. For something closer to the facility, I would recommend The Quarry, a local bar and grill with a relaxed atmosphere and nice outdoor seating.

One of AHT's core values is passion. What are you passionate about?

Personally: Currently I am learning how to play chess, & I would like to learn how to play an instrument.

Professionally: Continuous learning and growth are what drive me right now. I am passionate about expanding my knowledge of heat treatment, understanding more about our customers’ applications and becoming a stronger technical resource for the people we serve.

What enticed you to apply at Advanced Heat Treat Corp.?

What initially attracted me to AHT was the company’s culture and the amount of experience within the organization. A large percentage of AHT employees have been with the company for more than 10 years, which says a lot about the work environment and the pride people take in what they do. That long-term experience also creates a strong foundation of technical knowledge that benefits both employees and customers.

I also liked that AHT offers the best of both worlds. We are large and experienced enough to provide a wide range of heat treatment services and maintain important industry accreditations, but we are still small enough to build genuine relationships with our customers. Customers are not simply another number. We take the time to understand their parts, applications and requirements so we can help identify the best heat treatment solution for their needs.

Now a list of quick questions…

Education: Tippie College of Business, Bachelors in Finance (University of Iowa)
Favorite Food: BBQ
A Food You Avoid: Green Beans
First Job: Subway
Hobbies: Golf, sporting events
Favorite Team: Iowa Hawkeyes
Favorite Book or Movie: Harry Potter Series
Hidden Talent? Whistling
Best Vacation: Banff/Jasper, Canada (pictured below)
Anything You Did/Do Collect? Coins
Something on Your Bucketlist: Solo camping in the mountains

Have A Question for Ben? Connect with Him on LinkedIn or Call 319-232-5221.

CONNECT WITH BEN ON LINKEDIN