Founder. Vice President. Father. Artist. Businessman. Coach.
Chris Gray holds many roles in his life, some unexpected. However, one thing remains consistent: he adheres to values that apply to each part of his life in a unique way. Let’s learn more about Chris Gray and his role as the founder and vice president of Alliance Industrial Masking.
As an Ohio native, Gray holds a great passion and love for the region. His endearment is evident through his actions, beginning in college and remaining true throughout his professional career. He attended Wright State University from 2003-2008 and graduated with a B.F.A. in Fine Arts with a focus in Painting. The degrees he earned often surprise those who meet Gray for the first time; he iterates that this degree and training have helped him greatly in his journey with custom masking:
“Training in the arts really helped me learn how to visualize parts and the best way to create masks. Knowing shapes and how to utilize CAD animations is essential for the work we do at Alliance Industrial Masking.”
After earning his bachelor’s, Gray received his M.B.A. through Indiana Wesleyan University in 2011, giving him the business knowledge to further grow AIM – which was three years old at that point. Founded in 2008 by Gray and his father Don, AIM responded to a common issue in manufacturing – handcut masks. Masking for parts in various industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics exist for the benefits of product longevity and protection. Historically, masks have been hand-cut, resulting in slow lead times, human error, and risk of injury from sharp cutting tools.
Gray and his father saw this as an opportunity for developing a simple, cost- and time-effective solution: die-cut, industrial-grade masks. By taking the manual process of cutting by hand out of the equation, organizations could increase productivity, quality, and safety.
AIM grew quickly with the knowledge Gray had gained through his vast experience as a relationship-building salesman and truly shines through his dedication to customer service and a passion for entrepreneurship. His desire to help organizations lean out their processes motivates him to come to work every day. His hard work culminated in earning a spot on the Products Finishing 40 Under 40 List in 2020.
AIM continues to grow and Gray hopes to expand its product offerings in the coming years. Apart from overseeing AIM, Gray is a father of three active boys and spends his free time coaching their various sports teams.
