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Tom Capera

personactive17 mentionsFirst seen Apr 8, 2007Last seen Jan 15, 2026

Profile

Tom Capera is a mechanical engineer and pinball industry veteran who spent significant time at Williams Manufacturing as a leader in topbox design and pinball-influenced slot machine development. He collaborated with notable engineers on technical implementations like the Corvette engine shake feature. Capera later transitioned to Jersey Jack Pinball, where he became recognized as a key personality and talent in the modern pinball renaissance, contributing to brand building and factory tour content.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (5)

  • factualmedium

    Tom Capera moved from Stern Pinball to Jersey Jack Pinball

    Source: KanedaFREE EPISODE 1174: "How Stern Has Fallen From Within...And Pokemon Will Suffer"
  • factualhigh

    Tom Capera moved from Stern Pinball to Jersey Jack Pinball as COO

    Source: Ron Hallett (Slam Tilt)Episode 236 – Media Day
  • factualhigh

    Tom Capera moved from Stern's director of mechanical engineering position to Jersey Jack Pinball COO

    Source: Jersey Jack Pinball (announcement)Episode 214 – Easy Struggle
  • factualmedium

    Tom Capera was closely associated with George Gomez on Stern mechanical design projects

Recent Mentions (19)

  • Jersey Jack Pinball staff; noted as knowledgeable about pinball masterpieces

    Episode 1052: "Barrels of Kong Potter"Feb 14, 2025
  • Former Stern manufacturing/machining engineer; now head of manufacturing at JJP; worked on Cactus Canyon at Bally/Williams in 1990s

    Ep 146: All About Avatar with Vic VPSep 19, 2024
  • Hired as Chief Operating Officer at Jersey Jack Pinball; transferred from Stern Pinball

    The Pinball Show Ep 137: Soft Dogs & Cold TakesSep 11, 2023
  • Former Stern Pinball employee now at Jersey Jack Pinball; showed Kaneda the UV ink differences and production details

    Episode 999: "Kaneda's Trip to JJP"Sep 14, 2024
  • Recent hire at Jersey Jack Pinball; described by Jack Guarneri as industry veteran in interview

    Episode 847: "Jersey Jack & Steve Ritchie Interview - The Kaneda Edit"Sep 18, 2023
  • Stern designer; worked on Mandalorian, House of Horrors, Game of Thrones; contributed to original Cactus Canyon

    Ep 71: Pre Expo Rumors and NewsOct 23, 2021

Contradictions

  • Existing: Tom Capera headed WMS topbox design group post-2000 (mention 3)vsConflicting: Tom Capera collaborated with Tom Uban at Williams as a mechanical engineer in 2007 (mention 2), suggesting a peer/collaborative role rather than leadership of the topbox design group
    Unresolved

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Ron Hallett (observation based on their working relationship)
Episode 214 – Easy Struggle
  • factualhigh

    Tom Capera was at Stern Pinball for only a few years before joining Jersey Jack

    Source: DennisEpisode 201 - Scatman
  • Hired by Jersey Jack Pinball as chief operating officer; previously director of mechanical engineering at Stern Pinball for a few years

    Episode 201 - ScatmanSep 3, 2023
  • Veteran mechanical engineer with 25+ years in coin-op and pinball; newly appointed Director of Mechanical Engineering at Stern Pinball

    TOM KOPERA GETS STERN PINBALL POSITIONJun 20, 2021
  • Veteran mechanical engineer and designer; hired by Jersey Jack Pinball as COO from Stern Pinball; designed Johnny Mnemonic glove, NBA Fastbreak basketball shooter, co-designed Cactus Canyon, designed Stern Rolling Stones

    Pinball Odds & Ends: New Hires at Stern & Jersey Jack, New Digital PinballAug 31, 2023
  • Assistant mechanical engineer on James Bond 007

    The Pinball Show Ep 113: The Big James Bond 007 EpisodeSep 26, 2022
  • Hired as Jersey Jack Pinball COO from Stern Pinball

    The Pinball Show Ep 137: Soft Dogs & Cold TakesSep 12, 2023
  • Former Stern director of mechanical engineering who transitioned to JJP as COO; known for work on mechanical design with George Gomez

    Episode 214 – Easy StruggleSep 5, 2023
  • Former Stern employee; now COO of Jersey Jack Pinball; appeared at Media Day

    Episode 236 – Media DaySep 25, 2024
  • Lead mechanical engineer on Mandalorian; designer of Johnny Mnemonic; known for designing toys/mechs

    Episode 167 – Bill Of PotatoesMay 20, 2021
  • Recent hire at Jersey Jack Pinball; industry veteran with experience across multiple pinball aspects; Ritchie emphasizes need for industry-experienced personnel.

    Episode 373: Steve Ritchie & Jersey Jack GuarnieriSep 18, 2023
  • Headed WMS topbox design group where Patla worked post-2000; leader of pinball-influenced slot machine enhancement team

    Ep 5 - Jim Patla (Chief Operating Officer)Aug 4, 2020
  • Mechanical engineer at Williams; collaborated with Uban on Corvette engine shake implementation and design

    TOPCast 24: Tom UbanApr 8, 2007
  • Departed Stern Pinball for Jersey Jack Pinball; cited as major loss of talent

    FREE EPISODE 1174: "How Stern Has Fallen From Within...And Pokemon Will Suffer"Jan 5, 2026
  • Jersey Jack Pinball personality; praised by host as 'amazing' and should be featured more in factory tour content

    Episode 1178: "Brand Building in Pinball"Jan 15, 2026