Alan Villagran Realizes Success at KCC Manufacturing
For many high school students, the path to a career feels like a distant "someday." For Alan Villagran, that path was paved right in the middle of a welding class at Jeffersontown High School.
A 2023 graduate of Jeffersontown High School, Alan often describes his younger self as someone who wasn't the "greatest student" and struggled with showing up to class on time. However, through the Build & Design Academy, he found a practical environment that translated his hands-on skills into a professional career. Today, he is thriving as a Lab Technician at KCC Manufacturing, utilizing the workforce opportunities and specialized pathways provided by the Academies of Louisville to transition directly from the classroom to the industry.
Finding the Spark in the Shop
Alan’s trajectory wasn't always a straight line. During his junior year, he struggled with motivation, noting that he would often be late to his classes. However, inside Mr. Greg Smith’s welding shop, things were different. While Alan didn't see himself as a standout, his teacher saw a future professional.
"I wasn’t the greatest student," Alan says. "Any other teacher wouldn’t have been as patient. [Mr. Smith] saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. He pushed us."
That push came in the form of a senior year assignment: apply for a real job and land an interview. Mr. Smith, who maintains a strong partnership with KCC Manufacturing, connected Alan with Terra Beaver, a Talent Specialist at KCC. With a little extra encouragement from Academy Coach Asley Conway to ensure he made it to the interview on time, Alan stepped out of the classroom and onto the factory floor.
“I love this job. I want to stay here. I’m just grateful for J-Town and the whole co-op experience. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
From Co-op to Career
Alan began his journey at KCC as a co-op student in April 2023. While he had studied welding, he was placed on the CNC laser—a challenge he embraced. By the time graduation rolled around, he had already proven his worth.
"I was working as a regular co-op student up until I graduated, and then I was thankfully offered a full-time position by my supervisor," Alan explains. The Monday immediately following his graduation, while many of his peers were beginning their summer break, Alan was starting his first day as a full-time employee, working four ten-hour shifts a week.
His growth since then has been nothing short of remarkable:
CNC I to CNC II: Promoted upon hiring full-time.
Turret/Punch Press: Mastered a second machine within his first year.
Brake Press: Transitioned to learn complex bending and forming operations.
Lab Technician I: His current role in Research & Development (R&D), where he works on the cutting edge of KCC’s custom HVAC designs.
"The Sky's the Limit"
At 21 years old, Alan has achieved a level of stability and success that many associate with a four-year degree. He is proud to be a first-generation professional, honoring the hard work of his parents who moved to the U.S. from Guatemala.
"I’m beyond happy with my salary," Alan shares. "If I told my senior year self how much I would make now, I wouldn’t believe it."
For Terra Beaver at KCC, Alan is the perfect example of why the company invests so heavily in the Academy pipeline. "Just because you’re not a good student doesn’t mean you’ll be a bad employee," Terra notes. "Alan picked it up very well. Everybody just adores him."
Building a Future
Today, Alan isn't just running machines; he’s a mentor, training new employees on the laser to help them find their own footing. He enjoys the family-owned culture at KCC and the security of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which gives him a literal stake in the company’s success.
When he looks toward age 30, Alan sees a life built on the foundation he’s laying now: a home of his own, a family, and a career where he never stops growing.
"I love this job. I want to stay here," Alan says with a grin. "I’m just grateful for J-Town and the whole co-op experience. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am right now."