Page 20 - HIWT Spring 2011 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

HOBART INSTITUTE CONGRATULATES JOHN L. MENDOZA
ELECTED 2011 PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF AWS

MIAMI, FL – January 4, 2011 – John L. Mendoza, a 36-year veteran In 2005, Mendoza was
of the welding industry, has been named as the 2011 President elected to the Texas
and Chairman of the Board of the American Welding Society SkillsUSA Board of
(AWS). Directors, College/
Postsecondary division.
“It’s an honor to serve as the 2011 President of AWS and my For several years he
goal is to challenge our Sections and members to raise the issues chaired the state-wide
that are important today by focusing on the image of welding SkillsUSA welding
in the future and this can only be done through education and competition. In
certifications,” said Mendoza. “The most career-enhancing addition, Mendoza is
decisions I ever made were to keep advancing my education a past chair of the St.
through achieving various certifications and it is certifications Philip’s College welding
that serve to keep an individual employed even during tough advisory committee
economic climates.” and a 35-year member
of the International
During his term, Mendoza will manage the affairs of the Brotherhood of
Society and will preside at all Board of Directors and Electrical Workers,
Executive Committee meetings, as well as the Society’s annual Local 500. He is
meeting and any special meetings of its members. Mendoza also a member of the
will also represent the American Welding Society at many of International Institute of
its local Section meetings, and other technical, national and Welding (IIW), serving
international meetings. as a delegate to Commission XIV on Education & Training.

Upon gradating from the San Antonio Trade School with a Mendoza has been an active member of AWS for over 15 years.
certificate in welding technology in 1973, Mendoza began his Throughout that time he has generated the newsletter for the
career as a welder’s helper with CPS Energy, San Antonio’s San Antonio section, organized AWS district conferences,
gas and electric utility company. After completing a three-year served as a test proctor for CWI exams, maintained the section

apprenticeship, he attained journeyman welder status in 1979. website and obtained welding proclamations from city and
In 1992, he earned his AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) state officials. Prior to being elected AWS national vice
credentials and served as a weld inspector during construction president in 2008, he served over six years as Director for
of a 550-megawatt coal-fired plant. District 18.

In 1994, Mendoza was promoted to Technical Trainer, After retiring in February 2010 after nearly 36 years of service
responsible for the training and performance of power plant from CPS Energy, Mendoza currently works as a consultant
workers. His proficiency in plant design was instrumental in for Lone Star Welding. He and his wife Nora have been
the creation of the Skills Training Evaluation Program (STEP) married for 36 years and reside in San Antonio, TX. They
used by CPS Energy for employee development. have three children and three grandchildren.

Mendoza pursued his interest in welder education and earned The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a
his AWS Certified Welding Educator credentials in 1996. multifaceted, nonprofi t organization with a mission to advance the
That same year, he received Craft Instructor certification from science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and
cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.
the National Center for Construction Education and Research Headquartered in Miami, Florida and led by a volunteer organization
and was hired as an adjunct welding instructor for the Texas of offi cers and directors, AWS serves more than 63,000 members
A&M University system. In 2001, he attained credentials as a worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and
Certified Training Manager by Langevin Learning Services. student chapters. For more information, visit the society’s website at
http://www.aws.org and click on “Pressroom.”

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