Meet Ricky Car, our dedicated 5-Axis Team Lead who has been an integral part of the GWS family for over 15 years. Ricky’s journey with us began in high school, thanks to a friendship with Greg Schultz Jr., whose father owned a machine shop—G.W. Schultz. What started as a summer job cleaning tools quickly turned into a lifelong passion. 

After high school, Ricky joined the Army, serving over four years as a heavy equipment mechanic, including a deployment. Though he continued in that field briefly after his service, he realized it wasn’t the right path. While studying architectural drafting, a recruiter reached out with an opportunity to return to G.W. Schultz—this time as a CNC Machinist. Ricky accepted, and discovered a newfound passion for machining that hadn’t crossed his mind during his high school days. 

Since rejoining in 2011, Ricky has witnessed the company’s transformation from a small family-owned shop into what is now GWS Tool Group. Despite the growth, Ricky says the close-knit, supportive culture remains. “Everyone helps each other out because at the end of the day, it helps your coworkers and our customers,” he shares. 

Back when Ricky started, the shop focused mostly on standard end mills with a few custom form tools. Today, the GWS-FL facility specializes in custom tooling, and Ricky has grown right alongside it. As the 5-Axis Team Lead, one of his key roles is mentoring new grinders—passing on knowledge and skills just as they were once passed on to him. 

One memory that stands out for Ricky is of a mentor who trained him on third shift. That mentor, awaiting a heart transplant, told Ricky to be ready to work independently. One night, he got the call and left mid-shift. Months later, Ricky returned to find his mentor back at work, smiling and running machines—a moment Ricky says he’ll never forget. It’s this spirit of resilience and mentorship that Ricky now brings to his own team, encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration. 

LIFE OUTSIDE OF GWS 

When Wednesday rolls around, you’ll likely find Ricky enjoying one of his favorite pastimes—fishing with his friend and his friend’s grandfather. A passionate angler, Ricky doesn’t just fish for fun—he competes in tournaments and is currently riding an impressive winning streak! 

His favorite fishing spots? The scenic Harris Chain of Lakes and the challenging, yet stunning, St. Johns River—his personal favorite for both its beauty and difficulty. 

Outside of fishing, Ricky is a proud Florida State fan and loves catching a Seminoles football game whenever he can. He and his wife, along with their two daughters, make it a tradition to take a beach trip every year. Living in Florida makes it easy to explore a new beach each time, and this year’s destination is Ormond Beach! 

The family also looks forward to attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World each fall. Ricky says the cooler evening weather and lighter crowds make it the perfect time to enjoy the magic of Disney. 

Whether he’s casting a line, cheering on FSU, or making memories with his family, Ricky brings passion and joy to everything he does. We’re lucky to have him on our team! 

Interested In A Career At GWS Tool Group? 

If you enjoy working with dedicated people like Ricky, consider applying to GWS Tool Group. We are always looking for talented and driven individuals to work at our facilities in Florida, California, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Canada. Browse open jobs here.