American Welding Society Inc

Miami, FL · Founded 1943

Professional society advancing welding science, technology, and application through standards, certification, and education

Primary audience
Welding professionals
Work area
Standards & certification
Topic
Welding technology
Contact
Gesana Villegas
Website Contact

About Organization

The American Welding Society serves the welding industry through developing technical standards, professional certification programs, and educational resources. Based in Miami, FL, the organization operates with $46.8 million in annual revenue and 174 employees, supporting welders, engineers, and manufacturers worldwide.

What They Focus On

Technical Standards

Developing and maintaining comprehensive welding codes, specifications, and recommended practices that ensure quality and safety across industries

Professional Development

Providing certification, qualification testing, and continuing education to advance the skills and careers of welding professionals

Industry Knowledge

Conducting research, publishing technical content, and sharing innovations to advance welding science, technology, and best practices

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$46.8M

+0% vs 2024

Assets (2024)

$167.3M

+0% vs 2024

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 — — — —
2024 $46,806,815 $42,832,645 $167,266,956 174
2023 — — — —
2023 $45,359,812 $40,069,271 $152,077,771 176
2022 — — — —
2022 $41,620,647 $30,545,163 $131,619,753 168
2020 — — — —
2020 $36,629,098 $26,648,599 $132,732,764 147
2019 $43,851,824 $31,387,067 $113,940,298 158
2018 $42,772,366 $32,199,586 $95,983,634 163

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Standards Creation

    Develop technical standards and codes through expert committees representing diverse industry stakeholders

  • 02

    Certification Programs

    Administer qualification testing and certification to verify professional competency and technical knowledge

  • 03

    Knowledge Dissemination

    Publish technical resources, training materials, and research findings to advance industry practices

  • 04

    Professional Community

    Connect welding professionals through conferences, sections, and collaborative networks for continuous learning

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Welding Society Inc

Welding Standards Development

Creates and maintains technical standards and codes for welding processes, materials, and safety practices used across industries

Professional Certification

Provides certification and qualification programs for welders, inspectors, educators, and other welding professionals to validate competency

Industry Research

Conducts research and shares insights on welding technology innovations, materials science, and industry trends

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Welding Society Inc.

GV

Gesana Villegas

CFO
Full-time
Compensation: $301,882
RW

Robert W Roth

Interim CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $297,917
JD

John D Perry

Managing Director, Info System
Full-time
Compensation: $237,463
TN

Tatiana N Milan

Sr. Director, Hr
Full-time
Compensation: $207,336
RL

Richard Louis Arn

Vice President, Welding & Technology
Full-time
Compensation: $201,935
DS

Denny Smith

Director, Qualification
Full-time
Compensation: $187,615
AA

Annette Alonso

Managing Director, Publishing
Full-time
Compensation: $181,977
AB

Anthony Blakeney

District 9 Director
2 hrs/week
BT

Boyce Towell

District 19 Director
2 hrs/week
DJ

D Joshua Burgess

Vice President
2 hrs/week
DL

Dale Lange

District 12 Director
2 hrs/week
DE

Daryl E Peterson

District 5 Director
2 hrs/week
DE

Denis E Clark

District 20 Director
2 hrs/week
DA

Dr Anver Classens

District 4 Director
2 hrs/week
HW

Hannah Wolf

Director-At-Large
2 hrs/week
JT

James Thompson

District 8 Director
2 hrs/week
JD

Jeffrey Davis

District 21 Director
2 hrs/week
JJ

Jeffrey Jones

District 16 Director
2 hrs/week
JM

Justin Mixon

District 2 Director
2 hrs/week
KS

Kerry Shatell

Vice President
2 hrs/week
LE

Lynn E Showalter

Director-At-Large
2 hrs/week
MH

Michael Hanson

District 15 Director
2 hrs/week
MM

Michael M Skiles

Director-At-Large
2 hrs/week
MA

Mike A Krupnicki

President
2 hrs/week
MA

Monica A Pfarr

Executive Director, Foundation
5 hrs/week
NP

Nicholas Peterson

Director-At-Large
2 hrs/week
RE

Randy Emery

District 22 Director
2 hrs/week
RL

Richard L Holdren

Vice President
2 hrs/week
RH

Roger Hilty

District 7 Director
2 hrs/week
RA

Ron Ashelford

District 13 Director
2 hrs/week
RH

Ronald H Stahura

District 6 Director
2 hrs/week
SR

Sayee Raghunathan

Director-At-Large
2 hrs/week
SP

Sean P Moran

District 3 Director
2 hrs/week
TS

Thomas S Holt

District 18 Director
2 hrs/week
TC

Timothy C Kinnaman

District 1 Director
2 hrs/week
TL

Tom Lienert

Past President
2 hrs/week
TW

Tom W Kostreba

District 10 Director
2 hrs/week
TJ

Travis Jumper

District 14 Director
2 hrs/week
VK

Viji Kuruvilla

District 17 Director
2 hrs/week
WR

W Richard Polanin

Past President
2 hrs/week
WD

Wesley Doneth

District 11 Director
2 hrs/week
WF

William F Newell

Director-At-Large
2 hrs/week
GV

Gesana Villegas

CFO
CO

Catherine Ospina

Sr VP Marketing & Member Development
Full-time
Compensation: $253,190
CB

Chad Bricker

Head Of Financial Reporting & Accounting
Full-time
Compensation: $166,815

Milestones

1943

AWS Founded

1943

American Welding Society established to advance welding science and technology standards

2019

Peak Revenue Growth

2019

Organization reached $43.9 million in revenue supporting expanded certification and education programs

2022

Post-Pandemic Recovery

2022

Revenue rebounded to $41.6 million with 168 employees as industry activity normalized

2024

Record Operations Scale

2024

Achieved $46.8 million revenue and $167.3 million in assets serving global welding community

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

MB
Mary Bihrle Treasurer 2.0 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$2.2M

Highest Paid

$324K

Gesana Villegas

Compensated Officers

10

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Gesana Villegas CFO & Chief Admin Officer $301,882 $21,828 $323,710 38
Robert W Roth Interim CEO $297,917 — $297,917 38
Catherine Ospina SR VP Marketing & Member Development $253,190 $18,225 $271,415 40
John D Perry Managing Director, Info System $237,463 $17,288 $254,751 40
Tatiana N Milan SR. Director, HR $207,336 $15,852 $223,188 40
Richard Louis Arn Vice President, Welding & Technology $201,935 $15,124 $217,059 40
Denny Smith Director, Qualification $187,615 $13,293 $200,908 40
Annette Alonso Managing Director, Publishing $181,977 $13,946 $195,923 40
Chad Bricker Head Of Financial Reporting & Accounting $166,815 $12,915 $179,730 40
Monica A Pfarr Executive Director, Foundation $0 $14,504 $14,504 5

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$7.6M Grants Given
1 Organizations

Top Grantees

1 total
AF
Aws Foundation Incorporated MIAMI, FL
$7.6M

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

2 affiliated entities reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

2

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
Aws Foundation Incorporated
Miami, FL
See Part Vii
501(c) 501(C)(3)

Taxable Corp Trust

1
Aws Asia Limited
Hong Kong
See Part Vii
Taxable

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with American Welding Society Inc

Phone

(305) 443-9353
Visit Website
8669 NW 36th Street 130 Miami, FL 33166