Jeff Platt’s ’74 Journey of Innovation and Giving Back

For Jeff Platt ’74, the CRMS experience was transformative in ways that continue to resonate nearly five decades later. “The experience of going to school at CRMS was perfect for me at the time,” Jeff reflects. “As a curious high schooler, your brain is changing quickly, and the structure and supports at this time in my life set me up for success.”

The warmth of faculty members like his mathematics teacher, Ken Hause, left an indelible mark. “He was a strong presence in my brain, teaching me the strength that I would need to navigate many different aspects of my life,” Jeff recalls, including helping him through profound personal losses during his senior year—the death of both his best friend, Ian Black ’76, and his father.

Jeff found his passion for math and science at CRMS. Jeff’s CRMS senior project exemplified the curiosity that would drive his entire career. Fascinated by physics and “how things worked,” he traveled to Texas A&M to witness a cyclotron particle accelerator in action. While the visit was exhilarating, it lacked the hands-on experience that excited him at CRMS. Nevertheless, this project ignited a passion for math, science, and engineering that continues to fuel his work today.

Jeff moved on to college after CRMS, where he studied Physics and Calculus, but left because he “wasn’t inspired the way he was at CRMS,” and embarked on an unconventional journey. He worked odd jobs, lived in an ashram, and found himself fixing stained glass windows and running movie projectors in theaters in Los Angeles. A friend’s invitation to join a rock-and-roll tour with Styx in 1983 as a roadie proved pivotal. “I was fascinated by their movie projectors and inspired once more to figure out how the projectors worked, and by electronics in general.” he says.

This curiosity led him back to formal education at ITT Tech, where he studied electronics and earned a BA in Robotics and Engineering.

Inspired by his father—a Hollywood actor who paradoxically advised him not to pursue acting—Jeff landed a job in visual effects in Los Angeles. He specialized in creating miniatures and models for visual effects, contributing to blockbuster films including “Die Hard,” “Hunt for Red October,” “Batman,” and “I, Robot.”

Building on his experience, software writing skills, and industry connections, Jeff founded Lime Rock Industrial Design & Motion in 2004. The company manufactures camera heads and platforms for movie cameras—the equipment used in virtually all films today. Despite weathering the 2008 market crash and the pandemic, Lime Rock has maintained a team of about 30 people.

“I run my company like an old Hollywood crew; the work environment is the most essential aspect,” Jeff explains. “We believe that creation is a group effort and collaboration between the right minds can lead to amazing things.”

Lime Rock’s scope encompasses every aspect of manufacturing: wood, metal, and circuit boards. “It’s a great place to work and learn,” Jeff says, noting that he loves how “everything is always different and challenging.”

This diversity makes Lime Rock an ideal learning laboratory. The company currently manufactures everything from precision camera equipment to innovative projects like a hydraulic platform that simulates road movement for cars—technology that will be the most powerful of its kind on the market.

For the past three years, Jeff has come full circle by hosting CRMS students for their senior projects. “It’s been a real pleasure,” he says. “They have all been engaging, intelligent, and easy to work with.”

Students experience the complete product development cycle, from conception to implementation. They visit each department, learning from employees about various aspects of manufacturing, including software design programs for 3D modeling, machine shop operations with mills and precision equipment, electronics, wiring, circuit board work, and programming for embedded motion control systems.

Manny Ruiz ‘23 worked with Jeff during his senior project in 2023. He recalls, “Jeff was extremely helpful and really went above and beyond.”  Manny shared that Jeff was very supportive in integrating me into the workplace as well as his home in Ashland, Oregon. “I enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and meeting people he worked with as well as learning about different parts of what his company does and really felt comfortable with his team.” Beyond technical skills, students gain independence by staying in local accommodations and commuting to work daily, while Jeff and his wife show them around Ashland, Oregon.

Sam Rosenberg ’25 also spent three weeks in Ashland. He shares, “Working with Jeff Platt made my senior project a true hands-on experience.” Sam loved being able to contribute to real engineering work. Jeff’s mentorship gave him the confidence to dive in and learn by doing. “Seeing a finished part I had helped create was especially rewarding. Jeff’s guidance showed me how impactful mentorship can be in helping students explore their interests and grow.” 

Jeff’s message to current CRMS seniors considering their projects is both encouraging and liberating: “Don’t be limited by what you think you should do. What inspires you? What are you excited about? Take a chance. If you are interested in something, go for it; you can make it work.”

This philosophy reflects the same curiosity and willingness to explore that characterized his own senior project decades ago.

For Jeff, the most rewarding aspect of his work remains “the constant learning, creating, and innovating.” It’s a sentiment that would resonate with Ken Hause and all the CRMS faculty who recognized that true education extends far beyond the classroom—inspiring students to maintain that sense of wonder and curiosity throughout their lives.

As Jeff’s journey demonstrates, sometimes the most unconventional paths lead to the most fulfilling destinations, especially when they circle back to nurture the next generation of curious minds. 

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CRMS senior project opportunities continue to evolve, connecting students with alumni mentors across diverse industries. To learn more about senior project possibilities or to offer mentorship opportunities, contact Katie Bailey.