OUR INSTRUCTORS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE LUNATIC/ OWNER
RUSTY OLIVER
Owner & “Chief Executive Lunatic” of the HazardFactory. Rusty invents, experiments, and produces events. He often collaborates with local authors, engineers and scientists to produce new work. He is currently helping develop technology for competitors in the battle bots show and fooling around with plasma, hydrogen and high voltage as time permits.
Rusty has produced the Power Tool Drag Races in Georgetown for the past 12 years. He invented a sport, Flaming Tether-ball, which he debuted in 2003. Rusty also hosted "Weaponizers" on the Discovery channel and designed and built “Smash Putt”. He picked up welding in college while finishing a degree in political economy.
Rusty is an artist and instructor with twenty years of professional welding experience. He has carried certification for Structural Unlimited welding. Rusty welds and works every conventional material and has taught casting, machining, blacksmithing, electronic, robotic and foundry-work. Rusty has developed and delivered federally funded curriculum. He has taught tens of thousands of students. His students recommend him for his ability to make technical subjects accessible and fun. Rusty has instructed at the Coyote School students, Pratt Fine Arts Center, and South Seattle Community College and his own fully equipped 3000 sq ft sculptural metalworking facility, Hazard Factory.
Rusty is currently learning fusion 360, and operation of the newly installed Haas Vf3 machining center. He is also learning the far simpler programs used for cnc plasma cutting on the soon-to-be-delivered torchmate 4800 plasma cutting table.
Rusty documents his art and posts several short tips and tricks videos per month to his Patreon account. Supporters have access to a library of videos that provide access to the same thoughtful and thorough instruction provided in class as well as getting a backstage view of what we do and other perks. The link is at the bottom of the page if you wish to support, we deeply appreciate our Patrons' support.
In his spare time Rusty is a single adult with no kids and hobbies that virtually guarantee a short but interesting life.
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Mckenzie Smith
Mckenzie was introduced to welding informally and after completing a technical program she started teaching in 2003. In 2014, Mckenzie began teaching her students the art of laying some sweet welds at Hazard Factory. She enjoys teaching Arc (smaw) and loves working with kids.
VOLUNTEERS
Lea Sklarsky
Lea is an Mechanical Engineer formerly employed at Intellectual Ventures Laboratory. Lauren is very interested in sustainability issues, particularly environmental impact mitigation opportunities offered by green and emergent technologies. She enjoys teaching beginners MIG and especially TIG welding. She is currently planning an extensive trip abroad. Lauren knows the things and will explain all of them if asked.
TC Pham
TC is an event organizer and administrative assistant and yoga instructor. Tc also helps inform our business policy and direction. She commits time to socially progressive issues. TC has a deep interest in gardening, community, and sustainability. She lives on an invisible dirigible which floats above Seattle. She is a cipher in a solution of enigmas, a whisper in a hurricane. If you believe you have met her you are mistaken.
Jon Ceis
Jon is on hiatus from buttons. He is currently exploring a new career in Lion Juggling and semi-autonomous defenestration. He volunteers with us and helps ensure that we continue to make the mandatory minimum of sense on alternate Tuesdays.