Date of Event: 05/08/2025
Location: AIDT Maritime Training Center – Austal Side
Number of Attendees: 47
Presenter/Notable Guest(s): Cassaundra Cole, Chief Training for General Dynamic’s Electric Boat, Austal location
Zachary Denman, Electric Boat
Deanna Paz, Austal USA
Event Summary: Cassaundra Cole, Chief of Training for General Dynamic’s Electric Boat Austal location, was the main speaker for
the Mobile Sections May meeting and provided an inside view of what it means to be a welder for submarine
construction at Electric Boat. Joined by Zachary Denman, with Electric Boat and Deanna Paz of Austal USA,
there were a lot of questions answered for students on what the industry looks for in a welder and what
requirements must be met to become employed by Electric Boat and Austal USA. General Dynamics Electric
Boat division has been building submarine for the U.S. Navy for over 125 years.
The AWS Mobile Section had 47 in attendance at the meeting. Since this was the last meeting of the fiscal year
door prizes were awarded to students that had attended the most meetings throughout the year. There were
seven students that attended all meetings. Those seven students were included in a random drawing for 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd place prizes. Michael Costello took home the 1st place prize, a Fronius welding machine. Chase Colley
and Kimberly Lugo were 2nd and 3rd place winners. Chase won an Evolution bandsaw and Kimberly a Victor
Metalist Kit. All students in attendance received a wire brush compliments of the Mobile Section. Congratulations
to the winners! We appreciate all our students, some of which drive long distances to attend our meetings.
Shout out to all our sponsors for year! Thank you very much. Your contributions large or small are greatly
appreciated.
Our monthly meetings will resume in September. Jody Heusman, of Austal USA, is the incoming 2025-2026
Chairman for the Mobile Section. Other officers include, Derrick Lett, 1st Vice Chair, Chris Pawlowicz, 2nd Vice
Chair, Gary Williams, Treasurer and Brenda Amos, Secretary.
Photo captions (L to R)
Photo 1 – (L to R) Derrick Lett, Mobile Section Chairman, presents an appreciation plaque to Cassaundra Dole of
Electric Boat
Photo 2 – (L to R) Zachery Denman, Deanna Paz, Cassaundra Dole, and Derrick Lett show off the AWS Mobile
Section banner following the meeting.
