Roger J. Sustar

Roger J. Sustar is the owner and CEO of Fredon Corporation. He became involved in the Machine Trades Industry with his first job - at Non Ferrous Metals Fabricating - in 1965 and became owner of Fredon in 1969.

Fredon Corporation has been considered a pioneer in youth training programs since the beginning of their Explorer program, “Cannons of Fredon” in 1992. In 2010, Roger established a non-profit organization called the AWT (Alliance for Working Together Foundation) whose mission is to promote rewarding careers in manufacturing and encourage young people to “think manufacturing” (www.thinkmfg.com). The AWT works with area manufacturers to expose schools, parents and young people to the types of careers available in the manufacturing industry. By offering activities and programming such as a summer manufacturing camp, SMI for 5th and 6th graders, combat robotics programs for both junior high, JuniorBots, and high school students, RoboBots, company tours and the popular Think MFG Expo held each year for area high school students allows young people to explore the world of modern manufacturing. In 2020, the AWT officially launched an apprenticeship program with its first cohort of 20 young people.

Roger and his wife Judy have been married for 55 years and split their time between their home in Lake County, Ohio and their home in Florida. They have two children, Chris and Alyson. Chris is currently the VP of Purchasing and Alyson is President of Fredon Corporation. In addition to their children, they now have two of their grandchildren, Emily and Chris, Jr., on the Fredon team!