Joel Antipuna Leaves a Remarkable Legacy at Rosenberger North America

After 35 years of working at Rosenberger's Precision Machining Center in Pennsauken, NJ, Joel Antipuna, General Manager, will retire later this year, passing the torch to Assistant General Manager, Jason Bauer.

A manufacturing facility with over 70 years of experience in custom machining with roughly two million parts produced annually for the military, aerospace and instrumentation markets, and a team of over 80 employees requires a leader who is committed, confident and capable.

Rosenberger North America’s (RNA) Joel Antipuna, General Manager of the Precision Machining Center in Pennsauken, NJ, has been described by colleagues as just that. With a wealth of manufacturing experience, Antipuna has fostered a team and facility that’s positioned RNA for many successful years ahead. After 35 years with the company, Antipuna will be retiring at the end of this year. And when he does, he’ll be leaving quite the legacy.

A Distinguished Manufacturing Career

Antipuna started his career as a Tool and Die apprentice in the automotive industry in 1977, becoming a Modelmaker in 1982 with RCA (Government Communications Systems Division), which was later sold to Lockheed Martin.

“The Lockheed Martin facility in Camden, NJ was closed in 1990, and I accepted a Modelmaker position with Toth Technologies shortly after,” he recalled. “In 1996 I was promoted to Prototype Department Manager and in January of 2012 to General Manager. Toth Technologies was acquired by Rosenberger in April of 2012.”

Over the course of 70 years, the Pennsauken facility and its operations have changed considerably, with Antipuna navigating that change. Ted Toth, Senior Technical Advisor, has worked at the facility since the beginning.

“When we joined the Rosenberger family in 2012, our company was to the limit of our growth resources,” Toth reflects. “Joel, along with RNA’s CEO, enabled the growth of the company to the next level, and his efforts will provide us with a path of growth for years to come.”

Joel Antipuna announced his retirement at the end of 2025 after 35 years of service with the company.

A Trusted Mentor

Within Rosenberger, Antipuna’s background allowed him to provide guidance to younger employees, including his son, Joel Antipuna, Jr., Manufacturing Manager at Pennsauken.

“On my first day, Joel set the tone: ‘If you’re going to work here, I’m not dad. Don’t call me dad. You’ll be held to the same standard—and probably a higher one,” Antipuna, Jr. recalled. “I’ve always appreciated that expectation. It pushed me to work hard and earn my place. We’ve always kept family and business separate and that clarity made it easier to grow. When I started as a machinist, most of our dinner conversations revolved around work, but I love it. I was fascinated by machining and eager to learn as much as possible.”

Ryan Spencer, CEO at RNA, recalled many great memories with Antipuna, but it was his moments as a mentor that stood out.

“No matter where we were—a restaurant, an airport, anywhere—he’d jump in to offer advice, sometimes sketching an idea on the back of a napkin or using straws to make a point,” Spencer said. “It perfectly captures his hands-on, always-here-to-help style.”

Meanwhile, Jason Bauer, current Assistant General Manager at Pennsauken, also recognizes Antipuna as a mentor.

“Joel became my mentor much earlier in my life than most people, or even he, may realize,” Bauer reflects. “I first started working for Joel as an apprentice model maker for Toth Technologies in 1998. He taught me how to look at things from a ‘pride in precision’ perspective and to always pay attention to the details…The single most important lesson I learned from him to carry over into my new role would be to ‘trust but verify.’”

Antipuna noted that this lesson was the most important one he’s learned about leadership and managing a team over his long career, as well.

“Trust is the foundation of any successful team. People need to know you believe in their abilities and judgement,” says Antipuna. “I’ve also learned that effective leadership means following up, checking progress, and making sure the details align with the bigger goals. It’s not about micromanaging, it’s about accountability. When you build trust and verify with respect and consistency, you create a culture of reliability, transparency and shared respect.”

From left, Process Engineer Eric Carlidge, Engineering Estimator Nick DiSilvio, General Manager Joel Antipuna and Process Engineer Geoff Duva at the Precision Machining Center in Pennsauken, NJ. Antipuna has led the team as GM since 2012.

A Respected Leader

This culture of shared respect Antipuna helped create is one Toth acknowledged as well.

“Joel respected the experience and knowledge of others. Joel worked for me from 1991 until 2017, until the roles switched and I now work for him,” reflects Toth. “We both had different skill sets and complemented each other. It was a difficult transition for me, but Joel respected my input and skill sets, which made the process easier.”

As stated by Spencer, Antipuna’s direct, no-nonsense style, paired with his genuine commitment to developing the RNA team, is another differentiator in Antipuna’s leadership.

“Joel has positioned the Pennsauken facility for long-term success by building a strong foundation—both in our people and in our processes,” said Spencer. “His direct guidance, mentorship, and commitment to developing talent have created a team that’s confident, capable and ready for the future. His influence will carry us forward for years to come.”

Antipuna, Jr., after beginning to work at the facility, also saw and appreciated his father’s leadership role with the team.

“Working alongside him gave me a deeper appreciation for his perspective, creativity and problem-solving ability,” said Antipuna, Jr. “He has a unique talent for figuring out how to manufacture parts that seem nearly impossible. Seeing how he motivates the team, how hard he works, and how generously he mentors others has been inspiring.”

Antipuna, right, and Rosenberger North America CEO Ryan Spencer, center, accept the Modern Machine Shop Top Shop award in the category of Machining Technology in 2022. The Top Shop awards are given annually to honorees representing the highest caliber of machining facilities drawn from the annual Top Shops Survey.

Passing the Torch

In his time at RNA, Antipuna streamlined all manufacturing processes and integrated automation at Pennsauken. Over the course of Antipuna’s career, RNA has evolved into a top supplier for the Military and Aerospace markets, investing heavily by modernizing the facilities, constantly bringing in new technology and creating an employee centric workplace.

“Joel’s most significant impact on RNA has been the steady, unwavering leadership he’s shown throughout his career,” said Spencer. “His commitment to supporting the business through every chapter of our growth has shaped who we are today, and it’s a legacy that will never be forgotten.”

Antipuna will be retiring after 35 years at the company, passing the torch to Bauer, who will succeed him as General Manager at Pennsauken.

“I have big shoes to fill,” noted Bauer. “I plan to maintain Joel’s integrity and fairness…My vision is to continue to cultivate a culture of empowerment and accountability.”

Bauer stated that his immediate priority is to continue to drive efficient improvements and embrace technology in RNA’s manufacturing and machining processes, as well as technical training and development for employees, allowing RNA to remain competitive in the field.

Antipuna leaves the following words of advice and good wishes: “Develop a work life balance. It is possible to be very successful at work, while enjoying your life away from work. Plan your workday to maximize productivity, then go home on time to enjoy whatever makes you happy. Congratulations, Jason, I am certain you will exceed expectations. Thank you, Ryan, for trusting me and my team and providing the support we need to be successful.”

It has all amounted to a rewarding career for Antipuna. Come retirement, you might find Antipuna on the golf course and spending more time with family.