If you have done business with France Casting since 2004, you have likely worked with, if not spoken to me, the new owner, Shane Walker. I am a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, with a Masters in Biological Anthropology. My interests were to further my education with a PhD in Forensic Anthropology, but the great excitement over forensics of the last decade derailed those plans a bit.

Along the way I met Dr. Diane France and had the opportunity to work with her on a case and eventually work for her in this business as I finished up my degree and looked into PhD programs across the US. When my "derailing" was in its early stages, Diane asked about my desires to take over her business. That was a hard decision to make because it involved giving up some of my dreams in exchange for others I had never considered. After much reflection and discussions with my better half, I realized that this business has many perks, and I believe is a good fit for me for several reasons. First, it involves two of my greatest loves: all things osteological, and the creativity and artistry it takes to make a masterpiece, and yes what we make are masterpieces. Second, it meant staying in Colorado, a place I have come to love. Third, it fulfilled one of my lifetime goals of not just being another 'whatever' [fill in an appropriate job title here], but gave me the opportunity I have always sought to do something different; to excel at something a million other people aren't doing. That's what I found in France Casting.

The other great reason for taking on this challenge of running my own business, is that it allows me to work with all of you amazing people, to interact with you daily, to see you on occasion face to face, and to continue to provide you with the best casts available so that our work never suffers and never stops. I am committed to excellence and will do everything I can to make sure you see that in every cast you purchase from me, no matter how big or how small.

I look forward to many years of doing business with each of you and thanks for the opportunity.

Shane

We recently added some other faces to our team that you may be interested to know about:

Charles Cundiff worked with this business under Diane's leadership and has been with us since early 2007. Charlie recently completed his Masters degree from Colorado State University's anthropology program here in Fort Collins. I talk him into working for me when he isn't teaching anthropology courses for another local college or teaching kids how to ski in our beautiful Colorado mountains. Charlie has a quick and innovative mind that has helped to improve our product quality and turn around time over the past few years. He is also one of the most entertaining people I know and a great deal of fun to work with.

Molly Bartlett Nettleingham joined out team most recently, having just completed a Bachelors degree from Fort Lewis College and an "MRS." degree shortly there after. She has a knack for this work already and her meticulous style and attention to detail makes her an ideal candidate for producing the quality of casts we demand here. She is also the cleanest of us all and has managed in just a few short months to give this place a sorely needed makeover.
Thank you Molly!