The AWS Foundation supports the welding industry with programs that ensure its growth and development through strengthening research and educational opportunities in welding and related industries. It is committed to awarding more than $300,000 annually in undergraduate scholarships and graduate research fellowships.

In addition, the foundation hosts other programs, such as the Engineering Your Future instructors' guide; career promotional videos such as the award-winning Welding: So Hot, It's Cool (downloadable from www.aws.org); and the History of Welding CD, stressing the importance of welding and the critical shortage of skilled workers.

Established by the American Welding Society in 1989, the AWS Foundation is organized as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and led by a volunteer board of trustees.

Before joining the American Welding Society, Gentry was chief executive officer / executive director of the Miami Dade College Foundation. Miami Dade is the largest college in the United States, with over 150,000 students. During almost five years there, the foundation endowment grew from $60 million to approximately $80 million.

Prior to Miami Dade College, Gentry was in the financial services industry in South Florida since 1981. Before moving to South Florida, he was the vice president and treasurer for Ingalls Iron Works Company in Birmingham, Alabama, and in banking.

Gentry has served on the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce board of directors and executive committee, Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority, and other not-for-profit boards.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and finance from Auburn University, and an advanced banking degree from the Banking School of the South at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Gentry reports to Ray W. Shook, executive director of the American Welding Society. "Sam will be responsible for all areas of the AWS Foundation with a primary emphasis in fund raising. His education and experience will serve him well in his new responsibilities with AWS that does so much to help young people in starting a rewarding career," Shook says.

The American Welding Society is the largest organization in the world dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied processes, including joining, brazing, soldering, cutting, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, USA, AWS serves almost 50,000 members in the United States and around the world. For more information on AWS programs and publications, visit the Society's Web site, www.aws.org.