EvCC team competes for top prize in “Clash of Trades” reality show

Press Release

Date: May 16, 2024

Contact: Darin Chase, Professional and Technical Education Instructor: dchase@everettcc.edu, 425-388-9390 

The Everett Community College machining team, led by coach Darin Chase (back left), gathers in front of a CNC machine at EvCC, with River Stormo, CAD designer and welder (center), Ryan Bucciantini, machinist (far right), and Leeann Riggs, machinist (front), ready to showcase their skills and teamwork at the National MFG Clash of Trades in Charlotte N.C.

EVERETT, Wash. – A team of Everett Community College students will compete in the Clash of Trades machining reality series, hoping to take home the national title and a $100,000 prize.

Three Advanced Manufacturing Training and Education Center (AMTEC) students, led by machining instructor and coach Darin Chase, will compete against three college teams in the National Clash of Trades Championship May 23-26 at Stewart-Haas Racing facility in Charlotte, N.C. 

The show will premiere this summer. Watch last year’s competition on YouTube. 

“This is the school’s first year competing and we are honored to be representing Everett Community College in the finals,” said Chase.

The EvCC team is machining student Ryan Bucciantini, Leeann Riggs, who is pursuing a machining certification and advanced manufacturing Associate in Technical Arts (ATA) degree, and River Stormo, who is also pursuing an advanced manufacturing ATA degree.

“The entire EvCC community rallies behind the AMTEC Team as they embark on this thrilling journey to the national championship,” EvCC president Chemene Crawford said. “Their dedication, skill, and passion embody the spirit of excellence that defines EvCC's commitment to fostering talent and innovation in advanced manufacturing.” 

EvCC is among the top four of 80 competing schools representing 31 states and two Canadian provinces in the National Manufacturing Competition Series. To get to the finals, EvCC passed the qualifying round in October 2023 by machining a part to spec in EvCC’s AMTEC facility, using their skills in computer aided design, CNC programming, precision machining and welding. Then, at the regional championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, in March, where they had to create specific parts on site within a staffing and material budget, they clinched a spot in the national finals. 

Leeann Riggs, machinist, changes tooling in a CNC machine during a practice session at Everett Community College’s AMTEC, honing her skills in preparation for the Clash of Trades National competition. Riggs and her teammates are poised to showcase their mastery in advanced manufacturing on the national stage.

“This has been something different for me. This is the first competition I’ve been a part of,” said Riggs. “I’ve never really been a part of a team event before.”

Each team member serves a specific role in the manufacturing process to ensure smooth production. Bucciantini serves as a general manager, in charge of quality assurance and supporting any gapped tasks the team needs to complete. Stormo takes the lead in CAD design, CNC programming, and welding. Riggs specializes in setup and machining on the CNC machines. 

The team will face opponents from Autry Technology Center (Enid, Okla.), Calhoun Community College (Tanner, Ala.), and Central Alabama Community College (Alexander City, Ala.).

“I feel that this is a wonderful opportunity to gain visibility both for the college and for a job later down the road,” said Bucciantini.

The Project MFG Clash of Trades competition, now in its fourth year, is a testament to real-world advanced manufacturing prowess. Schools nationwide vie for the prestigious title and a chance to claim the $100,000 grand prize. The competition hinges on the mastery of skill sets such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining, and CNC milling techniques, culminating in the creation of products to exact specifications provided on the day of the competition. 

River Stormo, CAD/CNC programmer and welder, reviews CNC programs before the machining process at the Project MFG regional competition in Las Vegas.

“We have been working hard to find time in everyone's schedules to practice as much as possible before we travel to North Carolina,” said Stormo. “We have been focusing our efforts on working with five axis programs, repetition in procedures and repeatability.”

The theme of products to be manufactured will be revealed on the day of the competition. 

About EvCC AMTEC

EvCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training and Education Center (AMTEC) is a one-of-a-kind 54,000-square-foot training facility where students train with the latest advanced manufacturing technologies, learning precision machining, mechatronics, engineering technology, composites technology, and welding and fabrication. EvCC AMTEC equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic field of manufacturing, from idea to design to manufacture and testing. Learn more at EverettCC.edu/AMTEC.

About Project MFG

Project MFG's mission is to elevate the next generation of highly skilled trade professionals by changing mindsets, fostering community preparedness, and challenging how the critical skills needed to succeed in modern advanced manufacturing are taught. Competitions provide participants hands-on experience with the latest technology and support from industry subject matter experts. Students are able to showcase their skills and prove themselves at a national level in the reality show competition, Clash of Trades.