Showing Is Believing: Fotofab's Jacob Cartee on the Wow Factor of Photochemical Etching

An Education-First Sales Role

For many manufacturers, the hardest part of winning business isn't capability — it's awareness.

He is based in Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical manufacturing from North Carolina State University. His path into the industry was driven by an interest in how processes function and how they can be improved — along with a preference for being on the floor, where physical parts are being worked on and made.

Where the Parts End Up

Fotofab specializes in photochemical manufacturing for aerospace, defense, electronics, and medical industries. That breadth means the applications of its components are unusually wide-ranging: medical devices, planes, satellites, and even quantum computers.

The Plant Tour as Proof Point

Cartee's proudest moments come when customers visit the site in person and see what the etching process can do — something a datasheet or presentation can't replicate.

"There's always a bit of a wow factor when they see etching in person."

That hands-on demonstration, he says, is the payoff of the role: showing customers what's possible rather than just telling them.

A Case for Showing, Not Telling

Cartee extends that same logic to workforce development. He believes that showing physical parts or products can increase kids' interest in manufacturing careers — tangible evidence, in his view, leaves a lasting impression that descriptions alone cannot.

He also pushes back on the idea that manufacturing is a narrow field, noting that the industry has several sides suited to different mindsets. For his own part, Cartee thrives in the fast-paced, high-demand environment the work carries — the stress, he says, is where he operates best.