CAD Masters: 30 Years of Innovation and Community
As CAD Masters celebrates its 30th anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on our journey, growth, and the people who have made it all possible. Through the eyes of our long-standing team members, we explore the evolution of our company, the industry we serve, and the moments that have made our work not just successful, but enjoyable.
The Early Days
Michelle Sipos, who has been with the company since before its incorporation, recalls the humble beginnings:
“I remember the first client who visited our first office… the desk I used to give them a software demonstration didn’t have the legs attached yet as we were just moving in. We gathered around my laptop and explored the features of a very young software. I was young, CAD Masters was brand new, the technology was new… it was all very exciting.”
Michelle’s journey began before CAD Masters was officially formed:
“I started out as a sole proprietor, MS Consulting Engineers, traveling around the United States training the precursor to Civil 3D which was DCA Engineering Software. On my lunch break from training in some hotel conference center, I would use a pay phone to return technical support calls from my clients (No cell phones… wow that was a long time ago!) Getting an office and incorporating as CAD Masters helped to get me out of hotels and airports.”
A Journey of Growth
Over the years, CAD Masters has evolved significantly. Lynnette Ferro, who has been with the company for 17 years, recalls:
“When I was hired, software was still being sold as a ‘boxed’ product. There was shipping, postage, hard copies of invoices and contracts, etc. All of which is done electronically now.”
Matt Sparks, a 27-year veteran of the company, adds:
“When I first started, I was 22 years old, there were 5 of us. As I matured, the company grew and we found a great niche in the Bay Area, and then opened the Sacramento office that I call home. As our skills increased, we started doing more complicated and interesting projects, and programming increased.”
Making a Mark on the Bay Area
Our team takes pride in the projects we’ve been involved with over the years. Michelle shares:
“I’m so proud of all of the projects our team has been involved with in the Bay Area. I feel a strong connection to our home here when I recall our contributions to projects such as the new Bay Bridge, the 4th bore of the Caldecott Tunnel, our work with Bart, the SF Subway Dig, SFO, East Bay Regional Parks and so many more. We get to touch such a variety of projects through our amazing and talented clients and what they build become monuments in our community that I get to see and enjoy every day.”
Michelle Sipos
Matt recalls a favorite client and particularly memorable project that took him to paradise:
“My most memorable project was helping Warren S. Unemori (a civil engineering company in Maui, Hawaii) with a large highway project to bypass the city of Lahaina to reduce traffic. This happened over many years, with every other year visiting the island for training and project assistance. It was nice to see the fruit of all our labor in person and enjoy the island and the people over many years. .”
The CAD Masters Difference
What sets CAD Masters apart? Dwayne Tindall, who’s been with us for nearly 25 years, explains:
“We cover it all. We’re an Autodesk Reseller, providing all the software you need. We build workstations to run the software we sell, and we provide training for the software, using those workstations. I like to say, ‘We’re a 1-stop shop for your Civil Engineering needs.'”
Lynnette adds:
“There is a core group of engineers and sales staff here that are extremely capable and dependable. Mike & Michelle know that and have worked hard to maintain a level of growth that has served all of us well, including customers. Key people in that group have been with CAD Masters for decades and continue to work hard to support the growth of the company. We have a perfect blend of those employees that have been here from the beginning and those that have joined more recently, plus the continued guidance of leadership that make this work so well.”
Our People: The Heart of CAD Masters
One consistent theme throughout our conversations was the importance of our team and clients. Lynnette emphasizes:
“Simply put, we all work well together. We appreciate the differences that we have and are always willing to work around difficulties for a solution or common goal.”
Michelle adds:
“It’s both my fellow team members and our clients. My team has become my family, and I love them dearly. We’ve been through so much of life together, good times and tough times. I’ve seen many of them marry and have children and then grandchildren. And then there’s our clients. Engineers are the very best of people to work with and we’ve been lucky to have such loyal customers that have shared their journey with us for so long.”
Matt shares a personal moment that highlights the close-knit nature of the CAD Masters family:
“My most memorable moment was probably my wedding and bachelor party. Drew planned my bachelor party, and most of the company attended my wedding.”
Fun and Memorable Moments
Our journey hasn’t been without its share of laughs and memorable moments. Lynnette recalls a particularly fun event:
“There are many but going to Autodesk University in Las Vegas is definitely at the top. Especially the ‘Beerfest’ night when I got to see my coworkers imbibe.”
Dwayne shares a humorous mishap from his booth-setting days:
“I used to do a lot of booth duty at various shows. One time, while setting up our booth, I bumped into a small piece of the booth next to us and their whole booth came tumbling down. It was a disaster, but they were cool about it.”
Life Outside CAD Masters
Our team members are not just dedicated professionals but also individuals with diverse interests. Matt, for instance, has a sporty side:
“I played baseball in college, so I’ve always been athletic. They might be surprised to know that I play indoor soccer from time to time, even though I’m almost 50.”
Dwayne reveals an unexpected talent:
“I’m a Karaoke Crooner (not good by any stretch of the imagination).”
And when it comes to free time, our team enjoys a variety of activities. Lynnette shares:
“My first choice is always hanging out with family, doing whatever comes our way.”
Matt enjoys:
“My free time is mostly traveling and attending live concerts for all types of music, except for Country. 😊”
And Dwayne has a unique weekend hobby:
“Most weekends I umpire baseball, looking to see if I can spot the next C.C. Sabathia or Aaron Judge.”
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re excited about what the future holds. Matt shares:
“We have a very good track record in hiring great employees. Seeing their growth, I’m excited to see where they can take CAD Masters as I get older.”
Michelle echoes this sentiment:
“I’m excited about the younger generation coming on board and proving to be just as bright and talented as the more seasoned of us. I’m grateful to have the influx of new energy and ability to learn new things. Technology never stands still and so we can’t either.”
Dwayne looks forward to shaping the future of the industry:
“I’m excited for the young EITs that attend our training. I know if they take our training courses, their future is bright.”
As we look back on 30 years of innovation, growth, and community, we’re filled with gratitude for our dedicated team and loyal clients. From humble beginnings with desks without legs to contributing to major Bay Area infrastructure projects, from karaoke nights to Hawaiian projects, CAD Masters has grown not just as a company, but as a family.
Here’s to the next 30 years of CAD Masters – may they be filled with as much success, laughter, and camaraderie as the first 30!
