Breaking News

GAWDA Appoints Executive Director

John C. Ospina

John C. Ospina was named executive director of the Gases and Welding Distributors Association. In his new position, Ospina will oversee the day-to-day administration of the association and its programs and serve as the main liaison to all sister associations. He will also be providing input to the GAWDA Board of Directors on issues that may affect the association’s mission, programs or future direction.

“John has a solid background in a variety of areas important to GAWDA’s mission and growth. His experience includes operations, events, contract negotiations, financial analysis and marketing, and he is experienced in working with volunteer leadership, from board level to grass roots. He is a natural fit for the position of Executive Director of GAWDA,” says Lloyd Robinson, GAWDA President.

Prior to accepting the GAWDA position, Ospina served the American Welding Society (AWS) for nearly 20 years in a variety of management positions. Most recently, he was the director of conventions and event services. AWS presently provides association management services for GAWDA.

A graduate of La Guardia College in New York, Ospina resides in Hollywood, FL, with his wife and two children. His new post becomes official on December 1, 2010.

Young Professionals Speak Out

Welding & Gases Today Online has enlisted 4 young executives from GAWDA distributor member companies to blog about their experiences as up-and-coming members of the gases and welding industry. Share in their trials and triumphs as Abydee Butler, marketing director at Butler Gas Products (McKees Rocks, PA); Brandt De Vries, junior VP at Welding Industrial Supply Company (Chicago, IL); Colleen Mahoney, marketing communications manager at Noble Gas Solutions (Albany, NY); and Ryan Morton, outside sales associate at Conroe Welding Supply (Conroe, TX), write about daily life in the industry.

Join in the dialogue and share your advice and opinions by commenting on their entries. With your help, we can build an invaluable resource for all of GAWDA’s young professionals. Check out Executive Dialogue where you will find the blogs of 4 young executives and the GAWDA Media editors.

Abydee Butler	Brandt De Vries	Colleen Mahoney	Ryan Morton

Five recently updated wiki terms   1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Flame Hardening Plasma Torch Computer-Aided Manufacturing Ammeter Case Hardening To add your own term, go to www.GAWDAwiki.org.

Safety & Compliance

Have You Checked Your CSA 2010 Score? • The Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) Data Preview website was recently updated with the September 24, 2010, snapshot. The newly imported data could affect a carrier’s Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) scores, i.e., percentile ranking in comparison to peers.

To see your BASIC scores, log in to the Data Preview website. You will need your Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-issued U.S. DOT number and personal identification number (PIN) (not a Docket Number PIN) to access the CSA 2010 Data Preview website. If you do not know or have forgotten your PIN, you can request one via the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System. The FMCSA cautions carriers to be sure to request a U.S. DOT Number PIN, not a Docket Number PIN.

If you have any questions, please contact GAWDA DOT, Security, OSHA & EPA Consultant Michael Dodd at MLDSafety@hotmail.com or 573-718-2887.

In Memoriam

Marc J. Meteyer, CGA President and CEO

Marc J. Meteyer passed away earlier this month after a year-long battle with brain cancer. “My dear Marc passed away peacefully in my arms in the company of his family at home,” writes Marc’s wife, Debbie Meteyer, in a letter to the CGA Board of Directors. “For the past year, he fought brain cancer with optimism and courage.”

Mr. Meteyer led the Compressed Gas Association as president and CEO since joining the organization in 2006. He previously worked as a research scientist and consultant with both government and private industry on environmental and development issues, and served the American Petroleum Institute (API) for 20 years.

Mr. Meteyer is survived by his wife of 29 years, Debbie, and three children. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the members for their friendship and support of Marc over the years he was with CGA,” says Mrs. Meteyer.

R. Bruce Wall, Former NWSA Executive Director

R. Bruce Wall, 86, who served as executive director of the National Welding Supply Association (now GAWDA), passed away on November 12. Mr. Wall served with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War.

After earning a degree in economics from the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania in 1947, Mr. Wall joined association management company Fernley & Fernley in Philadelphia, working under the tutelage of Bob Fernley. During his 42-year career, Mr. Wall was the executive director of 11 trade associations, including NWSA.

Highly regarded for his ability to shepherd associations and work alongside volunteer boards, Mr. Well took the word “volunteer” to heart. He was a local town commissioner, a hospital emergency room greeter, baseball coach, church elder, and upon his retirement from Fernley & Fernley in 1989, served on many committees of the retirement community where he lived in Abington, Pennsylvania. At 75, he was elected president of the residents association.

Mr. Wall is survived by his wife of 65 years, Adele, sons R. Bruce Jr. and Philip.

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