Fabrication · Integration · Problem Solving
Franklin Crum — U.S. Army veteran, hands-on fabrication professional, and technical leader. I turn drawings into real things, solve the problems nobody planned for, and make sure the work gets done right.
I've spent my career building things with my hands and solving problems that don't come with instructions. Fabrication, carpentry, electrical, mechanical — I work across disciplines because the real world doesn't stay inside neat categories.
I started in the U.S. Army, where I trained as an Electronics Technician (MOS 27T) at Redstone Arsenal and graduated as a Distinguished Honor Graduate. I served honorably in Operation Enduring Freedom, supervising the maintenance of complex missile systems. The military taught me discipline, technical problem-solving, and how to lead under pressure — skills I've carried into every role since.
After the military, I built a career across fabrication, custom cabinetry, project management, and interactive exhibit construction. I've crafted custom food service builds, renovated kitchens from my own blueprints, managed nationwide service contracts, and now lead shop floor operations building interactive exhibits for museums across the Northeast.
Today I combine carpentry, electronics, and mechanical work to create custom interactive exhibits. I wire control panels, integrate microcontrollers and AV systems, build structural assemblies, and coordinate teams from concept through installation. When something doesn't fit, I figure out why and fix it.
Lately I've been building internal tools and systems to bring the same problem-solving mindset to production management — writing code, designing databases, and automating workflows. Same approach, different medium: understand the problem, build something that works, make it better.
A selection of builds and systems I've worked on. Details and images coming soon.
Multi-zone interactive display with sensor-triggered lighting, audio, and motion. Built the structural framework, wired all control systems, and integrated media playback hardware.
Designed and installed a custom LED lighting package with DMX control, color sequencing, and dimming zones. Fabricated mounting hardware and ran all low-voltage wiring.
Built an Arduino-based control system for a hands-on exhibit piece. Proximity sensors trigger mechanical movement and lighting effects. Designed the enclosure and printed mounting brackets.
Designed and printed custom brackets, housings, and mechanical linkages for production use. Replaced vendor parts with in-house prints that fit better and cost less.
Streamlined the CNC programming and material flow process. Reduced setup time, standardized tooling, and built documentation for repeatable production runs.
Designed and built a full-stack web application for shop floor job tracking, employee time logging, scheduling, and reporting. PHP, MySQL, JavaScript — built from scratch.
Over 15 years across fabrication, project management, and military service.
Buffalo, New York
Leading shop floor operations for custom interactive exhibit fabrication. Blending carpentry, electronics, and mechanical work to build exhibits for museums across the Northeast. Managing project timelines, coordinating crews, and ensuring quality from first cut to final installation.
Buffalo, New York
Crafted and installed custom food bars, grab-and-go units, and food truck interiors. Applied carpentry and metal fabrication skills to build high-quality, functional structures for commercial environments.
Orchard Park, New York
Constructed custom cabinets and renovated kitchens using both self-drafted blueprints and customer-provided prints. Managed projects end-to-end with a focus on precision and craftsmanship.
Melbourne, Florida
Managed multiple high-profile nationwide service contracts for appliance and TV repair services. Led teams, coordinated logistics, and delivered results for major industry brands.
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
Distinguished Honor Graduate. Trained in AC, DC, and resonance circuits. Supervised maintenance of complex missile systems. Served honorably in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cutting corners creates more work later. I take the time to do it properly because rework costs more than patience. Measure twice, cut once isn't a cliche — it's how you stay on schedule.
I don't hand off problems and hope someone else catches them. If my name is on the work, I'm responsible for it — from the first cut to the final walkthrough.
The best solution is the one that actually works in the real world, not the one that looks best on a whiteboard. I solve problems with what's available, on the timeline that exists.
Show up. Follow through. Say what you're going to do and then do it. People count on me because I've earned that — one day, one project, one kept commitment at a time.
Interested in working together, have a project in mind, or just want to connect? I'm always open to a conversation.