About Us

Austin Frank - Lead Machinist, Electronics & Precision Specialist

 

Austin Frank is the other half of Better This Way. He has been tinkering with things since middle school. His father worked in the garbage and recycling industry all his life. His dad would bring home all sorts of cool and interesting things for Austin to tear apart and fix. He quickly became fascinated by all things mechanical or electric: from computers and small engines as a child, to robotics and CAD in high school, then big block engine rebuilds and welding in college. As time has passed, he has had the opportunity to get his hands dirty on all kinds of equipment: excavators, hydraulic lifts, dump trucks, buses, building generators, irrigation equipment, robots, electric motors, pneumatics, and farm equipment. While Austin enjoys computer-controlled systems, his passions lie in restoring older equipment. Over the years, Austin has been given the nickname “MacGyver” by several co-workers, due to his uncanny ability to walk up to a broken-down piece of equipment in a field somewhere and get it running and working again in short order. 

 

Austin participated in the First Robotics League in high school and was mentored by some of the amazing engineers at ITT Space Systems. His knowledge from that experience has served him well over the years. That passion for robotics and automation has only grown as the years pass. Austin acquired invaluable knowledge and practice on mills and lathes during that time. There is something uniquely satisfying about making your own replacement parts. High school was also the time Austin and Steve met, leading to a lifelong friendship.

 

After graduating high school with valedictorian honors, Austin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was injured in a training accident and subsequently had to leave the Corps. While that experience made him a better man, it also left him with disabilities that he works hard every day to overcome. After getting hurt in the service, he attended Monroe Community College, where he met some fantastic people and gained a passion for understanding and problem-solving. Upon graduating, Austin took a job working security at a GM plant. There, he got to see how parts were produced on a large scale and gained wisdom from the fantastic engineers working there. He then took a job selling auto parts, where he developed a natural customer service orientation. Shortly thereafter, he worked as a fleet mechanic at a local University. This is where his passion and experience for heavy equipment was born. The experience gained in those years was priceless and led him to where he is today. 

 

Austin is a husband to an amazing woman and a father to three young boys. His greatest passions in life are his family and friends. His hobbies include bird watching, 3D printing, boating, and cooking.  

 

Steve Ozminkowski - Lead Carpenter, and Customer Relations Specialist

 

 

 

Steve Ozminkowski is an avid wood worker, and part owner of Better This Way LLC. Steve began his love of carpentry as a young child working with his Grandfather Henry in his basement shop. Steve learned the basics of the machines and the types of art they could create from wood in that shop, and those are some of his most cherished memories.

As Steve grew up he never lost the love of building and fixing things and his resume includes work as a framing carpenter, Digital X-ray technical support, and even Network administration and IT security.

 

Steve met Austin in High School, and the two became fast friends. Steve and Austin started learning and practicing skills together including small engine repair, automotive repair, welding, fabrication, CAD design and more. They both love solving puzzles and designing creative solutions to things that no one else has seen before. Steve and Austin created Better This Way LLC together to bring their solutions to the wider market, and to give back to the communities they enjoy.

 

Steve is currently also employed as a LEO on road patrol for his local community. Steve is an avid martial artist, and also enjoys working out, tabletop gaming, and spending time with his wife and dogs.