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Meet the Summer 2025 Interns

Future Leaders in the Making: Introducing our Summer 2025 interns Ben, Derek, Ellie, Connor, and Hudson. Learn where they attend college, their major, and what projects they will work on this summer.

posted On Monday, June 16, 2025 in Blog

Intern season is here—and we couldn’t be more excited! Our summer internship program offers a hands-on experience that prepares students for bright careers ahead. Let’s take a moment to get to know the five talented individuals spending their summer with us.

Ben Bantz, Advanced Heat Treat IT InternBen Bantz, IT Intern

Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa
College: Hawkeye Community College (2025 summer grad.)
Degree/Major: Cybersecurity
What are you working on while at AHT? I provide general IT support to employees at the Waterloo, Iowa, locations. I am assisting in keeping our systems updated and secure. Some things I have worked on so far are updating two-factor authentication on all employees' machines at our corporate office, as well as patching all devices with vulnerabilities and making sure our hard drives are protected.
What's next: I will be finishing this internship in July and then working full-time at an agricultural manufacturer.


Derek Woods 2025 Advanced Heat Treat InternDerek Woods, Business Intern

Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa
College: University of Northern Iowa (Junior)
Activities/Involvement: Competes on the UNI Track & Field team
Degree/Major: Finance
What are you working on while at AHT? I am actively contributing to a storage project by systematically organizing and labeling items, as well as developing a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet to enhance tracking and improve accessibility. Additionally, I am creating on-the-job training presentations by capturing photos and recording videos throughout the shop floor. These materials will be integrated into training software, providing new employees with an engaging and effective introduction to essential processes, procedures, and equipment used in daily operations.


Ellie Wilkes 2025 Advanced Heat Treat InternEllie Wilkes, Engineering Intern

Hometown: Hiawatha, Iowa
College: Iowa State University (Senior)
Activities/Involvement: Plays for the ISU Ultimate Frisbee Club
Degree/Major: Materials Engineering (specializing in metals) and a minor in Non-Destructive Engineering
What are you working on while at AHT? I will be helping to consolidate and organize databases and information used by the metallurgists at the corporate office in Waterloo, Iowa. I will also be assisting metallurgists with everyday work and learning about gas and Ion nitriding processes and mechanisms. I will be learning about how these processes affect the microstructure and properties of nitrided materials.


Connor Woods 2025 Advanced Heat Treat InternConnor Woods, Finance/Sales Intern

Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa
College: Morningside University (Senior)
Activities/Involvement: Plays on the Morningside Baseball team
Degree/Major: Finance
What are you working on while at AHT? I will be working alongside AHT's controller and sales specialists on various projects throughout the summer at the corporate office in Waterloo, Iowa. In the past couple weeks, I have assisted employees with updating their 401(k) beneficiaries, and next, I will be evaluating company car options. Outside of the Finance and Sales departments, I will also be getting hands-on experience with our nitriding services.


Hudson Halloran 2025 Advanced Heat Treat InternHudson Halloran, Engineering Intern

Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa
College: Iowa State University (Sophomore)
Activities/Involvement: Member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
Degree/Major: Materials Sciences & Engineering and a minor in Sales Engineering
What are you working on while at AHT?  I will be optimizing and revamping existing databases, as well as assisting metallurgists with lab work at both Waterloo, Iowa locations. I will be studying the microstructures and materials sciences, as well as learning about the various processes involving heat treatment.


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