Page 22 - HIWT Winter 2014 World of Welding

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

AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY STAFF MEMBERS
PARTICIPATE IN WELDING FOR THE NONWELDER

The Welding for the Nonwelder course at Hobart Institute
of Welding Technology continues to attract a variety of
professionals. The early October session was no exception.
Participants of the class included three from the American
Welding Society.

Annette Alonso, Chelsea Lewis, and Vanessa Gonzalez each
found the course to be interesting and applicable to their
various positions at AWS®. As Director of Operations for
Technical Services, Annette oversees technical committee
administration and the AWS standards development program.

“Hobart Institute has been on my mind since coming to a
committee meeting here about five years ago. Chuck Ford
(HIWT Technical Instructor) has been a long-standing
volunteer on our committees and has been our connection to
Hobart,” said Annette. “Instructors Russ Shurtz and Elmer
Swank were very patient and really supported us in getting a
good grasp of the material and process control.”

“I came to AWS with a hospitality background,” explained
Chelsea. “I oversee the development of various documents
published through consensus committees. I was very eager
to learn as much as possible and get a chance to learn how
to weld. The Welding for the Nonwelder course has helped
me better understand the processes and basics of welding. I
am excited to share what I have learned this week with my
committee volunteers, to further engage in committee work.” American Welding Society staff members Annette Alonso, Chelsea
Lewis and Vanessa Gonzalez pause from their welding tasks for a
Vanessa manages professional certification programs at AWS. quick photo. The three were in Troy to take part in the Welding for
the Nonwelder course.
“I joined certification as their psychometrician, which has
been very fun! I have met so many interesting people that
serve on our committees and now have a real understanding of
what it means to weld,” Vanessa commented. “I had heard very
good things about Hobart Institute and was not disappointed
upon arrival. I found it interesting to get hands-on experience
in welding.”

Annette has been sending AWS staff members from the
Technical Department to Hobart Institute for the last few
years. She currently directs a staff of 12, dedicated to serving
technical committee volunteers and their committee work.

“It provides a perfect education for those of us in the industry
that do not have a technical background,” she stated.

(Continued on page 23)

Annette Alonso practices techniques she was taught in class.

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