Meet the Team

Shipping – Our Staff

With a combined experience of over 60 years in the plating industries we have the capability to train newbies so they may look like seasoned professionals. SPI has plated items as large as a motorcycle frame all the way to the smallest of parts about the size of a grain of rice. Production leads are able to work with clients to minimize rack marks, ensure proper rotation to reduce air pockets, and are not afraid to speak their minds if they believe there is a better way to run a part. Customization of racking and individual work tickets for every job our quality cannot be beaten.

Valerie Hastings – President

Valerie has grown up in the business. The company started in the mid 70s, Valerie took over as President in 1997. For nearly the last 30 years she has seen growth and success at SPI. As a member of the National Surface Finishing Association, she periodically takes courses to stay up on industry standards. Valerie’s focus has been and will remain staying one of the premiere plating shops in Denver. Her quality policy sets the precedence for high quality production. SPI is interested in what your quality standards are for every job no detail is too small for us to incorporate into our standards for your product.

Heather Williams – Chief of Operations

For the past eleven years Heather has been working with clients and employees to perfect the day to day operations of SPI.

With a strong background in chemical analysis she is able troubleshoot plating solutions to keep production at optimum levels. On time delivery has improved with Kim Gutierrez’s help from 72% to nearly 90%. Prototyping is critical for USA development and Heather enjoys working with machinists and aerospace companies to perfect parts as they go to production. In the past year, SPI has assisted with over 1000 prototypes for various machine shops throughout Denver.

M.Carl Funk– General Manager

Carl Funk has been an integral part of our team, stepping into the role of General Manager with dedication and expertise. With a background in laboratory management and a keen eye for detail, Carl has seamlessly transitioned into his new role, ensuring the smooth operation of our plating processes. Building on his previous successes, Carl has successfully overseen the consistent management of our tanks and ensured we meet our weekly and monthly quality tests with flying colors.

His ability to identify root causes of quality issues and provide clear, actionable solutions has been invaluable to our team. Carl’s leadership and direction have contributed significantly to our success, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. His commitment to quality and operational efficiency continues to drive our company forward, making him a vital asset to our organization.

Kim Gutierrez – Invoicing, Expedite, and Customer Service Manager

Kim has just celebrated her ten year anniversary with Specialty. In those ten years, she has improved the standard for communication between SPI and our clients. Our expedite services are well known and with a one day turnaround time she makes sure each job is completed confirming customer needs are met. Kim manages shipping and receiving; including verification of work tickets, routing for the SPI truck, and working with clients on invoicing issues. Kim can be reached Monday through Friday at her desk or the main line for assistance with any expedites.

Leroy Milburn- Production Supervisor

Milton “Leroy” Milburn has been with the company since 2012. In this time, he has taken responsibility for all aluminum side production. He maintains the on-time delivery for this area and helps with customer service by doing daily status reports for our top 7 clients. He is responsible for troubleshooting difficult parts to process and give guidance along with training when warranted. He is familiar with most plating processes.

Jeanette Leon– Lead Racker

Jeanette Leon has been with Specialty for 15 years and has more than 25 years experience in the industry. She is the floor lead and head racker for all aluminum side processing (70% of all production in the facility). She is familiar with the QMS and can explain most production processes when it comes to racking.

Genaro Barron – Steel Side Production and Maintenance

Genaro Barron has been with Specialty for 26 years. He has 14 years of previous plating experience from California. Genaro is in charge of all chemical maintenance processes and is familiar with RLZ-007, f50. Additionally, he is able to plate on all production lines and is the main source for historical knowledge of parts.

Team Motto:

Do what you say, Say what you do, and Document it all!

Join the Family

We’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team at Specialty Plating, Inc. As a family-owned business with 50 years of experience in the industry, we offer a supportive and dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and development.

If you’re passionate about plating and committed to delivering exceptional services, we want to hear from you. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking for a change, we invite you to explore the opportunities available at Specialty Plating, Inc.

To apply, please reach use the contact form to the right.