In this episode, we talk with Christina Collette, GM of Final Frontier Manufacturing (Formerly Action Industries) in Arvada, CO. She shares her path from managing teams in banking to rolling up her sleeves on the shop floor. What pushed the shift? A love of math and a frustration with repetition that evolved into a desire for work that challenged her to think, solve, and build.
Christina breaks down how she has learned to spot the right professional and cultural fit in manufacturing and what she has picked up from peers in groups like NTMA. She also shares how Final Frontier is laying down a blueprint for the modern machine shop driven by digital tools, real-time data, and process automation that supports both quality and speed.
We talk about what modernization looks like across a multi-generational workforce—and how Christina went from being cautious about change to leading the charge, becoming a strong voice for progress in the industry.
If you're thinking about what it takes to lead change in manufacturing, you’ll want to hear this one.
Show Notes
03:10 — From Banking to the Shop Floor
06:40 — Why Your Processes Aren’t Scaling
16:42 — The Generational Shift in Manufacturing
19:34 — Start with Data, Not Dollars
23:27 — Yes, Your Shop Needs Marketing
28.10 — Building a Tech Stack That Drives Flow
35:19 — What Christina Would Tell Her Younger Self
Learn more: