Paul Van Metre has spent his life pursuing and following his passions in the aerospace manufacturing industry. After 17 years as co-founder and president of the Bellingham machine shop Pro CNC, Paul cofounded Adion Systems, a software company that develops industry 4.0 leading, web-based and paperless ERP software for small and medium manufacturing companies in the aerospace industry primarily. Paul has a passion for the SME community, connecting with and helping companies grow, prosper and provide opportunities and employment in their communities. As an aerospace supplier for 17 years in the Northwest, and now a software provider to SMEs, Paul has deep roots in the northwest aerospace community and a unique perspective based on his experience in the aerospace supply chain.

Paul’s love of manufacturing developed at Western’s Vehicle Research Institute, where he and his classmates collaborated to design and build Formula SAE racing cars. This team and shared passion for manufacturing led Paul and his teammates to launch Pro CNC together right after graduating in 1997. Pro CNC was recognized 5 times as one of the fastest growing private companies in the state of Washington (Puget Sound Business Journal) and the country (INC 5000), as well as one of the best companies to work for (Washington CEO). Pro CNC was acquired in 2014 by Trulife, an international medical device manufacturer.

Paul believes in connecting with and giving back to the communities he’s involved with. Paul won the 2011 Young Alumnus of the Year award at WWU and is still actively involved with the Vehicle Research Institute, serving on the Curriculum Advisory Committee and helping found the VRI Alumni Endowment Fund which raised over $100,000 for the VRI. He is also a member of Western’s College of Science and Engineering External Advancement Board and was the keynote speaker at the Spring 2017 WWU commencement.

Paul's most successful outcome from his time at Western was meeting and marrying his wife Kara, a Marketing and Business major at Western. They have two boys ages 17 and 12 and the family enjoys skiing, immersive travel, hosting outdoor movies in the summer time, real estate investing and backpacking trips.

Contact Paul:
206-262-4367