Joseph Dixon

Over the course of 30 plus years I have been involved with the design and drafting profession primarily focused in the petrochemical and energy industries. As a drafting/CAD manager and then as the chief architect and product manager of the CADWorx design software I have developed an extensive knowledge of both the practices and procedures and the tools used by the drafting profession. I now bring this expertise to mentor and train the next generation of Computer Aided Designers through Horn Drafting and CAD Center.

From 1986 through 2006 I worked as the Drafting Manager for Toromont Energy Systems, a manufacturing firm that designed and built process skids for use in chemical plants and refineries. My staff grew to as many as 25 professional drafter/designers in all disciplines of plant design, for hundreds of projects in the petrochemical and energy sectors. I was responsible for all aspects of the project design including working with staff drafter/designers and engineers to produce the best overall project for the customer. I was also responsible for hiring and mentoring/training new staff members. During these 20 years I learned a great deal about what it takes to be successful in the drafting/design industry, and I look forward to sharing that with my students.

In 2006 I became the Business Development and Program Manager for the Intergraph Corporation, overseeing the CADWorx Plant Professional line of software products. CADWorx is the world’s leading AutoCAD-based software that is used to develop 3D models and drawings of process plants worldwide. It is the piping software we chose to use at Horn Drafting & CAD Center.

During my time at Intergraph, I was also in charge of our “CADWorx University” program. Each year we hosted seminars for hundreds of attendees at our conferences. These conferences were held in the United States, and other regions around the world: Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. During these sessions I enjoyed teaching hundreds of students in Pipe Drafting & Design using CADWorx software.

I’m excited about working closely with students again. I enjoy helping people get trained and employable, and sharing with them information and techniques I’ve learned through the years that will help them be successful in the drafting design professions.