Norwood Teague is an event director with Business North Carolina magazine, where he directs mfgCON, the largest manufacturing convention in the state. In November 2018, Norwood Teague interviewed Jason Dingess, the owner of Quis Machinery, a mfgCON participant and sponsor.

Quis Machinery provides quality equipment to furniture makers, millwork companies, and kitchen cabinet companies across the Southeast. As Mr. Dingess describes it, running the company is a culmination of a longstanding interest in woodworking that began with his viewing of a portable lap desk at the Smithsonian Institute crafted by Thomas Jefferson and his carpenter. The artifact brought home the symbolic and practical importance of well-crafted wood pieces.

To this day, Mr. Dingess is in constant communication with Frank Quis Jr., the son of the founder of Quis Machinery, in the gleaning of strategic advice. At the same time, Mr. Dingess asks customers many questions and listens carefully to their answers. By placing himself in the customers’ shoes, Mr. Dingess is able to stay on top of their specific needs and wants.