From STCC to leadership: President of Mastercam reflects on career journey

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – When Russ Bukowski ’03 enrolled at Springfield Technical Community College more than two decades ago, he never imagined that one day he would become president of a global leader in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) industry.

But in May 2025, Mastercam, a company recognized worldwide for its powerful CAD/CAM software, appointed Bukowski as its new president. In his position, Bukowski is helping to lead Mastercam into the future of intelligent manufacturing and also helping shape the next generation of engineers, programmers, and innovators – many of them, like him, starting their journey at STCC.

Not long after being named president this spring, Bukowski returned to STCC where he and his leadership team from Mastercam toured the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program space, located in Springfield Technology Park. That’s where students use Mastercam software for their hands-on learning. He met with MET Assistant Professor Lineisha Dominicci-Rosario, an STCC graduate and former employee at Mastercam, and other faculty who teach the software.

He also sat down with STCC President John B. Cook and spoke about how the community helped launch his successful career.

“Russ Bukowski exemplifies the very best of STCC,” Cook said. “His journey from student to technology leader illustrates the power of a community college education and the doors it can open. We are proud to count him among our alumni.”

While Mastercam is based in Tolland, Connecticut, about a 45-minute drive from STCC, Bukowski’s roots run deep in the greater Springfield area. He was born at Baystate Medical Center and grew up in Palmer. “I still live there today, in the same house my grandparents once owned,” Bukowski said.

Bukowski’s educational path started in the Palmer public schools and continued at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, where he studied computer programming. Graduating first in his class, he had plenty of college options, including interviews at Worcester Polytechnic Institution (WPI), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, but he chose STCC.

“It was the peak of the dot-com boom. I wanted to get into the workforce quickly because it was such an exciting time,” he said. “STCC offered smaller classes, hands-on technical training and the ability to build on my vocational background.”

Stay flexible and open-minded. Sometimes opportunities show up that don't look like the opportunity you want, but they're the opportunity you need. Russ Bukowski '03, STCC alumnus and President of Mastercam

Bukowski thrived at STCC, graduating with high honors from the Digital Media program while juggling three jobs – an early morning shift, STCC classes during the day, and night work at a communications company across the street from campus in the Springfield Technology Park.

“It was challenging,” he said. “But I had the support of STCC professors. John Wakelin and Tom Powers were gracious with their time and helped guide me. John’s feedback was always specific and thoughtful, and Tom was flexible, understanding I was working multiple jobs.”

Bukowski credits STCC not only with sharpening his technical skills but also with preparing him to lead.

“I learned how to speak confidently and communicate clearly,” he says. “The teleproduction courses and being on camera were experiences that gave me the confidence to stand in front of a room full of a thousand strangers and give a presentation.”

That foundation helped Bukowski launch early ventures in web development and e-commerce which grew into leadership roles in technology and business. Today, as president of Mastercam, he leads a company with a global footprint after the company was acquired in 2021 by Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions, a multinational organization based in Sweden.

His management philosophy? Think long-term, stay grounded, and communicate constantly.

“The biggest challenge I faced as a leader in my entire 25-year career now is aligning and managing people,” he says. “Whether it's my executive team, our partners or employees, it all comes down to clear, actionable communication.”

Bukowski also remains attuned to the rapidly evolving manufacturing sector. AI is transforming how people enter and succeed in the field.

“Manufacturing is a high-tech, white-collar job now,” he says. “Not everyone coming in has deep manual machining experience. Mastercam is working on positioning AI features to enable people who don't have all that manufacturing knowledge to still be successful in a manufacturing career.”

Helping bring new people into the door of companies like Mastercam is where STCC plays a vital role. STCC is the only technical community college in Massachusetts, and the College offers a variety of STEM programs, including some, like Laser Optics Technology, that cannot be found elsewhere in the region.

“There’s a continuously growing skills gap in U.S. manufacturing,” Bukowski says. “Programs like ones offered by STCC are essential because they’re producing students who are job-ready on day one. Employers are specifically looking for people with Mastercam experience – and there aren’t enough of them.”

Bukowski is proud that Mastercam software is used at STCC, giving him a full-circle moment in his life.

“We stay connected because we believe in supporting education,” he says. “One of our employees working in our manufacturing lab was once a professor here. We’ve brought visitors to tour STCC’s programs.”

Reflecting on his path – from a tech-savvy teenager in Palmer to the helm of a global company – Bukowski offers one key piece of advice for today’s students.

“Stay flexible and open-minded. Sometimes opportunities show up that don't look like the opportunity you want, but they're the opportunity you need,” he said. “Remaining flexible in my career allowed me to go from tech to communications to working on the business side.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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