Timothy Ruffner

My Story

From a Chicago ballpark to running businesses across the country

I was raised in Chicago before my family moved to Round Lake, Illinois. I started working young — selling Chicago Tribune subscriptions door to door, then landing a job at a nine-field ballpark where I cut the grass, dragged the infields, and lined the fields before every game. After that came Lakes Bowl. By the time I graduated Round Lake High School and studied at the College of Lake County, hard work was already second nature.

In 2001, I became owner of Brogans Engraving and Sportswear in Gurnee, IL, running my own shop for six years. That hands-on experience — working directly with customers, learning a trade, building something of my own — became the foundation for the next two decades of my career in business development, sales, and operations across the additive manufacturing industry.

A few things about me

Started working young — lining ballfields & selling newspapers
Owned my own shop before I turned 25
20+ years in additive manufacturing business development
Instrumental in multiple company IPOs & acquisitions
Formnext speaker & 3D Printing Industry Expert Committee member
Still hands-on — I run my own 3D printing business today

My Journey

Two decades in additive manufacturing

Ten roles, six states, and a handful of startups I helped grow from the ground up — several all the way to acquisition or IPO.

Nov 2024 – Apr 2026

Business Development, IL & IA

AdvancedTek — St. Paul, MN

Consulting manufacturing companies on additive manufacturing technologies and post-processing equipment, focused on Stratasys, EOS & Formlabs.

Nov 2022 – Nov 2024

Director of Business Development, Americas

Caracol AM — Austin, TX

Launched the U.S. office for this Italian large-format robotic pellet extrusion 3D printing startup — hired field service and sales teams. First-year sales 17% above target; second year on pace for 30%+. Built the U.S. channel from scratch.

Dec 2020 – Nov 2022

Director of Sales, Americas

BigRep — Wilmington, MA

Grew the North American market for this large-format filament 3D printing company through key accounts and channel partners. Outperformed sales target by 24% and played a strategic role in the company's IPO. Featured panelist on IoT Marketing's "Made to Order" industry webinar.

Feb 2020 – Dec 2020

Head of Sales

Rapidia — Vancouver, CA

Opened a new Chicago-area office and demo facility for this Canadian metal 3D printing startup, expanding into the U.S. Strategic in the process of ExOne's acquisition of the company.

Jan 2019 – Mar 2020

VP Enterprise Solutions

Dynamism — Chicago, IL

Led the industrial 3D printer market push for Dynamism, driving over $3 million in sales. Helped launch the company's 3D printing showroom at Azoth in Ann Arbor, MI, featured by TCT Magazine.

May 2017 – Jan 2019

Channel Sales Manager

Desktop Metal — Burlington, MA

Presold $176 million of equipment through channel and key account relationships, playing a pivotal role in the company's IPO. Named Salesman of the Year.

May 2016 – May 2017

Director of Sales and Operations

Concept Laser — Grapevine, TX

Sold over $12 million of powder-bed fusion equipment across the Midwest territory. Concept Laser was later purchased by GE.

Jan 2013 – May 2016

Business Development Manager

Star Prototype — Zhongshan, China

Grew traditional and additive manufacturing services across the U.S. from China, generating $6.8 million in part sales.

Sep 2007 – Jan 2013

Vice President of Business Development

GPI Prototype — Lake Bluff, IL

Built and led a sales and marketing team for this metal 3D printing startup, generating $7.2 million in part sales and playing an instrumental role in its acquisition by Fathom MFG and subsequent IPO.

Nov 2001 – Sep 2007

Owner

Brogans Engraving and Sportswear — Gurnee, IL

Where it all started — ran my own shop for six years before moving into additive manufacturing.

Press & Speaking

Recognized voice in additive manufacturing

I've presented at hundreds of industry events and been featured by the trade press for bridging the technical and business sides of 3D printing.

3DPrint.com

Selected as the opening speaker for Formnext's 3D Printing in Metal Workshop, presenting "Introduction to Metal Additive Manufacturing" to the industry. Also picked up by the Moulds & Plastics industry page.

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3D Printing Industry

Named to the 2024 3D Printing Industry Expert Committee, recognized for 15+ years across metals, polymers, and traditional manufacturing methods.

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TCT Magazine

Quoted as VP of Enterprise Solutions at Dynamism on the launch of its 3D printing showroom at Azoth in Ann Arbor: "Seeing the most innovative 3D printers operating side by side is an invaluable experience."

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IoT Marketing

Featured panelist on the "Made to Order" webinar discussing how additive manufacturing is reshaping on-demand production, speaking as Director of Sales, North America & LATAM at BigRep.

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Practical Machinist

Referenced in an industry forum discussion on Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) and metal parts capability, from his years driving GPI Prototype's DMLS business.

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On The Record

"Every application is different along with several systems, materials and services that can truly help many organizations." — on why metal 3D printing isn't a one-size-fits-all fix.