About CAB.ENG Professional Engineering Services
John “Zeke” Charles, founder of CAB.ENG® Professional Engineering Services
Who I Am
I am a draftsman by trade and a CABINET VISION specialist by a self-evident career path. Inspired by the many craftsmen in my family, I discovered my passion for drafting at an early age. As a boy, I was always sketching furniture. I secretly hoped that my father, uncles, and older cousins would build things for me. Little did I know that my childhood drawings would enable me to build things for myself. In 8th grade, my art teacher saw my work and pushed me toward a class that would shape my future: drafting.
From Drills to Designs
My high school drafting instructor, Mr. Holmes, was one of the most inspiring mentors I’ve known. Before he became a teacher, he was a U.S. Army Drill Sergeant. AutoCAD was relatively new. We had computers in our drafting class, but we were not allowed to touch them until Mr. Holmes taught us manual drafting techniques for the first two years. When we finally got to use the computers, Sergeant Holmes would not allow us to touch the mouse until we knew every key command in AutoCAD. He provided step-by-step key-stroke instructions to the class as he paced the room monitoring us. He would whack us with a yardstick if he saw our hands touch the mouse! My skill sets would not be as sharp as they are today if those lessons weren’t “drilled” into my mind. Sometimes it takes the memory of a yardstick to measure how far you’ve come.
Drafting a Career
After high school, I worked for a large millwork manufacturer in Alabama. There was nothing made of wood that we didn’t build in-house. I loved the fun challenges, but my skills earned me a new challenge. I started working in the CABINET VISION Technical Support Department. I was fascinated by how much I could customize the software to suit customers’ unique needs. Helping others achieve more with their software investment became one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
My Passion. Your Project.
Establishing CAB.ENG® Professional Engineering Services was the missing piece of life’s puzzle. It allowed me to combine all my greatest occupational passions. I love going to work every day because I get to create exciting new software customizations, provide client-facing support through all phases of a project’s life cycle, and work with a talented crew of Support Engineers that share my enthusiasm. And I get to support customers across the country, from small-town USA where I grew up to larger cities alike. I am proud to say that CAB.ENG® is an Engineering Support Team that shares your passion for absorbing the growth and ultimate success of your business. This is my passion. My business is here to help!