Recap: March 2026 Joint Section Meeting, Mobile, Auburn, Birmingham & Pascagoula Sections

Date of Event: 03/19/2026

Location: Baldwin Preparatory Academy, Loxley AL

Number of Attendees: 62

Presenter/Notable Guest(s): Dr. D Joshua Burgess, AWS National President
Anthony Blakeney, District 9 Director

Event Summary: It was an honor to have Dr. D. Joshua Burgess, AWS National President as our speaker for the evening.  Dr. Burgess highlighted the benefits of being AWS members and told how being a member has impacted his life and career.  His presentation also included the importance of welding for the power industry and how additive manufacturing is helping to change and improve processes within the power industry.

In addition to Dr. Burgess’s presentation, he and District 9 Director, Anthony Blakeney recognized section and district award recipients for 2024-2025. Congratulations to all award recipients!

The Mobile Section wants to thank Baldwin Preparatory Academy for hosting the sections March monthly meeting.  Baldwin Preparatory Academy is a new state of the art high school located in Loxley, AL and is different from any other school in the state because it is based on comprehensive career tech.  Students learn their core subjects while also taking career tech courses that prepare them for the workforce. A special thanks goes to Ronald Stewart and Byron Tate, Welding Instructors at the school, for working with the Mobile Section members in planning the meeting.  A tour of the school was also provided to those arriving earlier than the scheduled meeting time. 

Congratulations to all the Section & District Award recipients, Pictured L-R, Derrick Lett, 1st Vice Chair Mobile Section, Anthony Blakeney, District 9 Director, Tim Howard, recipient of the Mobile Section Meritorious Award, Nathan Brawner, Mobile Section CWI of the Year, Paul Worthy, District 9 Educator, Benjamin Sarantos, Mobile Section Educator Private Sector, Not pictured, Dan Busse and Jason Edwards, both Mobile Section Educator Award recipients
Mobile & Auburn Sections show off their section banners (L-R) Anthony Blakeney District 9 Director, Steven Moore, Auburn Section, Derrick Lett, Mobile Section, and Dr. Burgess, AWS National President
Dr. Burgess, AWS National President, speaks to members & guests at the March Monthly Joint Meeting hosted by the Mobile Section and Baldwin Preparatory Academy