When most people picture a new countertop, they think about the finished product.
The color of the stone.
The edge profile.
The way it looks once it is installed in their kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or workspace.
And we get it. That final reveal is the exciting part.
But long before a countertop is installed, there is a lot of skill, training and precision that goes into making sure everything fits exactly the way it should.
At Bad Lizard, we believe the people behind the process matter just as much as the materials we work with. That is why we continue to invest in our team, our equipment and the training it takes to do the job well.
Recently, one of our team members, Jason Radabaugh, spent five days at Park Industries in St. Cloud, Minnesota for hands-on classroom training. Park Industries is the company that builds much of the equipment used in stone fabrication, which made this training a valuable opportunity to learn directly at the source.
During the week, Jason received training in CNC programming using Alphacam, tooling maintenance and CNC machine maintenance. In simpler terms, he spent the week learning more about the technology and precision work that help turn a slab of stone into a custom countertop made for a specific home, space and project.
For Jason, the class was an opportunity “to improve and hone my skills and experience with computer programming,” he said. “It will open new and existing doors in the IT field.”
Why CNC Training Matters
CNC machines play an important role in modern countertop fabrication. They help cut, shape and finish stone with a high level of accuracy.
But the machine is only one part of the equation.
Behind every machine is an operator who needs to understand the equipment, the software, the tooling and the material. Natural stone, quartz and other surfaces all require knowledge and care. The details matter. A small mistake in programming, maintenance or tooling can affect the final product.
That is why training is so important.
When our team members understand the equipment at a deeper level, they are better prepared to produce consistent, accurate, high-quality work for our customers.
Investing in People, Not Just Equipment
Jason has been with Bad Lizard for about seven months, and the team already sees a bright future for him.
“Jason has been with us for approximately seven months now, and we see a lot of potential with him,” said Johnnie Rominger, co-owner of Bad Lizard Granite & Quartz. “Our hope is that he becomes a full-fledged CNC operator for us. Classroom training at the factory that builds our machines is a crucial first step in that process.”
For Bad Lizard, this kind of training is about more than checking a box. It is about giving team members the tools and knowledge they need to grow in their craft.
And when the team gets better, customers benefit.
What This Means for Your Project
When you choose Bad Lizard for your countertop project, you are not just choosing a material.
You are choosing a team.
You are choosing the people who measure, template, fabricate and install your countertops. You are choosing the skill behind the cuts, the care behind the details and the experience behind the finished product.
From kitchens and bathrooms to full remodels and custom surfaces, our goal is always the same: to create a finished project that looks great, fits properly and is built with care.
Training like this helps us continue doing that work at a high level.
We are proud of Jason for taking this step, and we are excited to see how he continues to grow with Bad Lizard.
Because at the end of the day, great countertops do not happen by accident.
They are made by skilled people who care about getting the details right.
Call (304) GRANITE to set up an appointment to visit our Clarksburg showroom and begin planning your kitchen remodel for 2026.
“You wish it, we GRANITE!”