Phil Bontrager

Mathematics major
Physics major
Class of 1987

(1/14/2014) GC was very instrumental in my personal and career development so I’m always glad to help GC students when possible. And I have two sons and a future daughter-in-law their currently!

My career path as a math major was perhaps atypical since I was in the 3-2 pre-engineering program (3 yrs at GC, 2 at Purdue) finishing with a BSME at Purdue. However, my experience might be helpful to any students considering or already planning on pre-engineering.

After graduation at Purdue in 1988 I worked 4 years for Exxon in Houston in an oil refinery, rotating through several mechanical & chemical engineering positions. Next I moved to Iowa and worked for 4 years at a large polyethylene maker (now Equistar) again in mechanical/chemical engineering roles.

The past 17 years I have been employed at Sauder Woodworking Co. in Archbold as a chemical engineer, more recently working in a project management role.

In the Engineering departments at Sauder we don’t have internships for math majors, however our Sales group used a math/actuarial science intern a year or two ago for some analysis. I’m not familiar with that program but could try to find out more if there is interest on your end.