Ralph Prisco

By Michael Cobb

What’s your relationship to Norfolk? 
I was familiar with the area, coming here to work for the Skip Barber racing series. 

What do you do here? 
I’m a mechanical engineer. I own a small business, U.T.R. Engineering Works, and work from home. We are not open to the general public but will always help a neighbor and the town. 

What’s the best part of your job? 
I get to create what I design, repair the destroyed, change processes, etc. The scope of work is quite broad. No two days are the same. 

Tell me about your work. 
U.T.R. is a specialist engineering and precision manufacturing firm. We work in medical, aerospace and marine. There’s a large amount of design engineering and prototyping, reverse engineering and obsolescence management. I’d like to think we’re a bit like the Lockheed Skunk Works, but that’s hallowed ground. 

What do you like about it? 
The highly technical nature of the work. 

Do you mainly work with race cars or all automobiles/machines? 
I haven’t raced in years, but do miss it. We primarily work on various types of machinery and systems. 

What do you like best about living in Norfolk? 
The feeling that my family is in a secure area and the sense of community. 

What do you like least?
The gentrification and the direction the town is going in. 

Favorite season? 
Fall 

Favorite place(s) in Norfolk? 
My shop 

Anything else you want to say? 
I’d love to see Norfolk develop into its own version of New York’s “Quantum Valley.” The prospect is completely possible with the right frame of mind and support. For more info, see Ralph Prisco’s site: https://utrengineeringworks.com.