The Mobile Section kicked off their first meeting for 2023-2024 at Wintzell’s Oyster House in Mobile. We are excited to have everyone back for a new year of AWS Mobile Section monthly meetings! There were 47 in attendance.
Tomasz Andraka, Immediate Past Chair of the Mobile Section opened the meeting and introduced Derrik Lett the incoming chairman. Derrick then presented a plaque of appreciation to Tomasz for his service and contributions to the section. All officers for 2023-24 were then introduced. Special recognition was given to Mike Barnett and Tim DeVargas for their years of support and service to the Mobile Section.
As in tradition, our September meeting was Scholarship Night. Four scholarship recipients were in attendance and recognized, Luka Pavlovic, Sean Bennett, Derek Bell, and Marvin Mcshan. We appreciate these students taking the time to attend the meeting. They were presented with a scholarship certificate from Jody Heusman our current Scholarship Chairman. We are very thankful for all the industries that provide support by the purchase of an advertisement in our annual program book that makes our funding possible. This year’s book is dedicated to Clay Byron.
Clay Byron, our former Scholarship Chairman & Foundation Representative, passed away suddenly back in July. Clay’s wife, Kathy, and their daughter Sarah both attended the meeting. Kathy was presented with a bouquet of roses from the Mobile Section Executive Committee. In honor of Clay and his commitment to the welding industry and AWS his family has established a Mobile Section scholarship in his name. This scholarship will be available for award next year giving the section eight named scholarships. We are very grateful to the family for the additional scholarship in Clays honor. Clay was very instrumental in helping the section establish several scholarships and a section grant.
Following scholarship presentations and remembering Clay, everyone participated in a little welding trivia. Jackie Morris, the Certification Chair of our section conducted the trivia and not only asked questions but explained the answers. Prizes were given out to participates that answered correctly.
A split the pot drawing was held and door prizes awarded at the end the meeting. A special thanks goes to Miller Electric and WESCO Gas & Welding Supply Inc. for sponsoring the meeting.
