The deadline to nomina
te your welding hero is May 31! Maybe he’s a neighbor, friend, your boss or the shop guy with the extra touch, just like our May welding heroes—by nominating him or her today you and your hero could be big winners!
Three grand prizewinners and the person who nominated the hero will travel to Appleton for a factory tour and could be awarded thousands of dollars in welding equipment! Click here and nominate today!
Nominated by Annie Offenbacher
My Hero
Carl has sacrificed a lot for his family. It’s not easy being away from home, especially in a war zone. He is my personal hero and an inspiration to all. If there’s anyone worthy of recognition, it’s my Dad.
Making a Difference
Carl has an AS degree in Industrial Welding Technology from Rogue Community College. He worked for the State of Oregon Fish and Wildlife as a welder fabricator building and installing fish screening systems and passage. Next he went overseas with VSE Corporation in Kuwait for 6 months repairing and modernizing Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles including the Force Protection Buffalo and Cougar blast resistant vehicles. He is now at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. The base regularly comes under rocket and mortar fire.
Welding Application
His job in Afghanistan is to install an upgraded suspension system on the Cougar vehicles and modernize the interior and gunner turrets. He does battle damage repair, works very closely with the troops and does what he can to keep them safe and ready for battle.
Miller on the Job
Force Protection is proud to use Miller Big 40 diesel welders; Miller suitcase wire feeders and Miller fume extractors in Afghanistan. Carl started out as a production welder for Force Protection in April of 2011, but in October passed the Certified Weld Inspector test and now holds that position in Bagram. His job now requires a certain amount of travel from base to base. He flies with the military on C17s and C140s. He is a true welding hero!
Submitted by his co-worker Anthony Rix
My Hero
I nominate Ned Blair because he has taught me how to weld, and weld right!
Making a Difference
I met Ned after returning from overseas completing a combat tour of duty in Iraq back in 2005. I was offered a job as a mechanic apprentice at Empire Southwest because of the diesel repair work I had done for the military. I had not worked on heavy equipment like the Cats we have. Ned Blair quickly took me under his wing with no questions asked, and trained me from the ground up in the heavy equipment civilian world.
Welding Application
Ned can proficiently weld Stick, TIG, and MIG, and can weld all metals including old-fashioned brazing. We are required in our industry of heavy equipment to do field repairs on site at a mining site or repairs at the shop. When the customer wants to send in the equipment for repairs, Ned is always the first to want to look at it to quickly assess what needs to be done.
Miller on the Job
Ned’s first lesson was that starting off with the right equipment was essential — Miller equipment — the best welders in the business to help an operator make a proper weld. Ned has introduced me to his passion for welding. In short he is one of those go-to guys that we can rely on from everyday life to on-the-job questions. I would not be where I am today without my welding hero, Ned Blair!
Submitted by his co-worker Jeff Guy
My Hero
As an instructor at Canadian Welding Skills College, Joey Gyetvan is inspiring many welders on a daily basis with his passion and enthusiasm for the craft.
Making a Difference
He utilizes his years of experience as well as Miller arc welders and cutters to develop trainees’ skills and excellence in work practices. His positive attitude and encouragement helps aspiring welders to strive for perfection and overcome setbacks and challenges. He is genuine and sincere when he is thrilled with a student’s perfect bend test — as a great coach should be — and equally encouraging when they are far less than perfect.
Welding Application
He is consistently able to demonstrate what a great weld should be and finds points of self-focus for students to overcome their own challenges. He is happy to tutor those who fall behind in symbols and blueprints and generally shows a passion for all aspects of welding as well as displaying pride in professional work habits.
Miller on the Job
Joey, along with his assistants, has positively impacted the careers of many welders over the years. The tailored instruction and testing at the certified CWB test center has inspired many. If that is not a welding hero, I don’t know what one is!
Submitted by his co-worker Eric Raffia
My Hero
Randy Harrington is my Hero. He has been a welding contractor at our facility for 27 years. He is the go-to guy for all the power piping and rig fabrication throughout our building.
Making a Difference
The first time I saw one of Randy’s TIG welds, the bead was so uniform that I thought a machine had done it. Even more amazing is the fact that he is able to produce this kind of work year-round in an outdoor weld area. His knowledge of the code, skill, years of experience, and the support that he provides is invaluable to the company. Being a good welder is only part of the equation; having someone that you can rely on to offer solutions to seemingly complex welding problems and do it consistently to the highest quality level is what he delivers daily.
Welding Application
Today he is sharing his welding knowledge with his son, Chris, who works with him. I have great respect for guys like Randy, the guys that get the job done every day with enthusiasm and pride. Randy is well versed in all welding processes over a wide range of materials and sizes ranging from 1/8″ stainless tubing to 36″ steel pipe flanges. Custom parts are often crafted by hand without fancy equipment.
Miller on the Job
Randy relies on his Dynasty® 200DX and 304XMT with 22A wire feeder. This equipment has earned its keep — it may not be shiny new anymore, but it has been as reliable as Randy!
