Michael L. Turnbow
Michael Turnbow has over 35 years’ experience in Nondestructive Testing. He retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority as General Manager of the Inspection and Testing Services group responsible for NDT, QC, calibration services, metallurgy, chemistry, and instrumentation engineering services for TVA’s power plant fleet. He is Past President and Chairman of the Board of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. He served nine years as Chairman of the EPRI NDE Center Steering Committee, and over ten years as U.S. delegate to ISO for the development of international NDE standards. Mr. Turnbow is the current chairman of the ASME NDE personnel qualification and certification project (ANDE), current chairman of the ANDE Nuclear Specific Industry Sector Committee, and co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of OOGA Technologies, Inc.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Failure Is Not an Option
The presentation will briefly revisit the power of steam during the Industrial Revolution and unfortunately the failure of unchecked faulty materials that way too often turned deadly. Industry responded and for over a 100 years ASME Codes and Standards safely harnessed this energy for progress and the good of mankind. And now, ASME addresses inspection and NDE issues by introducing the world’s first performance based NDE and QC personnel qualification and certification standard ANSI/ASME/ANDE-1. The Standard is unique in that it is the first to incorporate the highly successful and proven Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) process. Military and industry applications for over 70 years have shown SAT significantly improves human performance and considerably more efficient than the current time-based process by allowing individuals to progress at a rate they can demonstrate proficiency. These features of the standard will be presented in detail.

Peter J. Nicklas
Asset Integrity – Occidental Oil & Gas
Peter Nicklas, a Welding Engineering graduate from LeTourneau University (1998), has built an impressive career spanning research, fabrication, and quality management. Early in his career, he specialized in R&D for cored wires and submerged arc fluxes, presenting his work both domestically and internationally. Currently, Peter serves as the welding and materials joining subject matter expert for Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy), overseeing welding programs for global projects, including construction, repairs, and failure analysis.
Peter is highly involved in industry standards and education. He is a member of the API Standard 1104 Annex B subcommittee for in-service welding and participates in various AWS subcommittees. Additionally, he chairs API RP 577, covering welding processes, inspection, and metallurgy, and is the chapter editor for stainless and heat-resistant steels in the AWS Welding Handbook, Volume 4. His diverse background and leadership have made significant contributions to advancing welding standards and practices worldwide.
PRESENTATION: An Offshore Riser Repair – A Team of Teams Approach to Restore a Facility Back into Production
A story of how multiple disciplines, personnel and resources were coordinated to execute an offshore weld repair safely and efficiently.
Amanda L. Young
CWI, Vice President, McNDT Pipeline, Ltd.
Amanda Young is Vice President of McNDT Pipeline, Ltd., a certified woman-owned business predominantly serving the oil and gas industry. She has over 15 years of experience in nondestructive testing and welding inspection. Amanda holds an ASNT RT Level 3, Level 2 certifications in PT, MT, and UT. In addition to NDT, Amanda is an AWS-certified welding inspector and certified welding educator. In her spare time, Amanda teaches metallurgy at Moraine Valley Community College. Presently serving as AWS Chicago Section Chairman and District 13 Deputy Director.
PRESENTATION: Overview of AWS D17.1 Specification for Fusion Welding in Aerospace: Code Structure, Requirements, and Best Practices
This presentation provides an overview of the AWS D17.1 Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications. It covers the code structure, scope, and general requirements, including weld classifications and approval processes. The presentation delves into the design of welded connections, welding performance and procedure qualification, fabrication requirements, and inspection procedures. It also addresses the repair of existing structures and establishes minimum requirements for nonflight hardware. Throughout the presentation, emphasis is placed on the importance of following proper procedures, documentation, and quality control in aerospace welding applications.
PRESENTATION: Driving Operational Excellence: Internal Audit Programs for Pipeline NDT Contractors
This presentation urges contractors to create an internal quality audit system for pipeline non-destructive testing (NDT). It outlines the regulatory framework based on the Code of Federal Regulations and API 1104. The key elements of an effective NDT quality audit checklist are explored, covering personnel qualifications, equipment calibration, and inspection procedures. The benefits of implementing these checklists are highlighted, including improved compliance and enhanced safety. Real-world case studies and practical implementation strategies are provided to guide contractors in developing their own internal quality audit systems.

James Gravley, AWS CWI, AWS CRI, AMPP CIP II
Project Management Specialist
James Gravley brings over two decades of expertise in welding and inspection, with 22 years in welding and 16 years in inspection. Currently serving as Inspection Supervisor at KTA Tator in Pittsburgh, PA, he has also held the role of Senior Steel Inspector at Bureau Veritas. His extensive certifications include AWS: Certified Welding Inspector with endorsements in Structural Aluminum (D1.2), Bridge Welding (D1.5), and Structural Steel (D1.1), as well as AWS Certified Welding Supervisor and Certified Radiographic Interpreter. Additionally, he is an ICC Certified Structural Steel and Bolting Inspector, a NACE CIP Level 2 Coating Inspector, and holds credentials in CWB Welding Inspection and ASNT Nondestructive Testing.
In addition to his professional roles, Mr. Gravley actively contributes to the advancement of the welding industry through his involvement in several AWS committees. He serves on the B1 Committee on Methods of Inspection, as well as its subcommittees on Nondestructive and Visual Examinations of Welds. He also contributes to the D1J Subcommittee on Bridge Welding, D1K Subcommittee on Stainless Steel Welding, and various task groups, including those focused on the Welding Inspection Handbook and Fabrication. His work reflects a commitment to maintaining industry standards and fostering innovation in welding and inspection practices.
PRESENTATION: Weld Inspection Tools: When and How to Use Them
This session provides practical guidance on selecting and applying the right tools for weld quality assessment. Ensure compliance, safety, and structural integrity with expert insights and techniques tailored to industry standards.
Lee A. Pielaet
Pioneer Steel Services
Lee A. Pielaet, president of Pioneer Steel Services, Inc., is a certified welding inspector (CWI), welding educator (CWE), and quality auditor (CQA) with over 45 years of industry experience. He leads his company in providing consulting services, specializing in the development of Quality Management Systems (QMS) to help organizations achieve AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) certification. Pielaet has conducted over 1,100 AISC audits and is a key figure in assisting steel erection and fabrication firms with their AISC certification processes. Additionally, Pioneer Steel Services is an authorized dealer for Skidmore-Wilhelm, offering bolt tension indicators and related consulting services.
PRESENTATION: Required Contractors (Fabricator/Erector) Inspections for Building and Bridge, Part 1 & 2
This two-part session will address the inspection requirements outlined in AWS 1.1, D1.5, and D1.8, focusing on the contractors' (Fabricator/Erector) responsibilities. Contractors must perform their own inspections visually and document their findings. In addition to AWS requirements, we will also examine the AISC 360 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, specifically Chapter “N,” which reinforces the AWS and RCSC standards. These inspections are separate from third-party inspections, which are also referred to as verification or QA inspections. Typically, they do not involve nondestructive testing, aside from visual Inspections. The discussion will include ethical considerations and a review of the RCSC specifications related to bolting and their inspection requirements, as detailed in AISC 360 Chapter “N.”
William F. Newell, Jr.
PE, PEng, IWE, Vice President, Euroweld, Ltd.
William F. Newell, Jr. has nearly 50 years of experience in welding engineering, both domestically and internationally. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University in Welding Engineering, holds an International Welding Engineer diploma, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in several U.S. states and Alberta, Canada. He is the President of W. F. Newell & Associates, Inc., specializing in welding codes and processes, and Co-Founder/Vice President of Engineering at Euroweld, Ltd. Newell is an active member of the American Welding Society and ASME, contributing significantly to various committees and standards in the welding field.
PRESENTATION: Dealing with Challenges Presented by Dissimilar Welds
One of the major challenges facing the welding industry is joining dissimilar materials. Different properties such as strength, coefficient of expansion/contraction, corrosion and metallurgical complications arising from the base materials and weld metals involved often complicate otherwise simple situations. Operating conditions, whether constant or varying, can also affect what must be considered to achieve satisfactory results. Each of these factors are examined, examples provided and a methodology for evaluating and dealing with dissimilar welding challenges is presented.
Brent E. Boling
AWS/CWI, ICC, SWW, Bolting/Welding Special Inspector, President, Arc-Tech Welding, Inc/Arc-Tech Inspections
Brent E. Boling has been the President of Arc-Tech Welding, Inc. and Arc-Tech Welding Inspections since 1996, bringing over four decades of experience in the welding industry. He is a certified welder and inspector with multiple certifications, including AWS CWI, ICC Structural Steel Welding, and ASNT Level II. Boling has served as Chairman of the AWS Arizona Section and has contributed to various AWS committees. He is also an accomplished author and speaker, having presented at major industry events like IEC:2020, FabTech, and ASNT meetings.
PRESENTATION: How to Start a Successful Welding and/or Inspections Business
Many welders and CWI's move quickly in their careers desiring to leave employment and start a business to work for themselves. But are they ready? What do they need to know in order to avoid being in the large percentage of those who fail in their efforts and often go broke doing so?
In this presentation we will help build a foundation of information to get those wanting to start their own business off on the right foot. Where to begin? Basic expenses and financial goals? Business plans? Business structure? Adequate knowledge, skills, experience, and education background to perform the work that the person intends to be involved with? Building contacts and procedures for bidding work.
PRESENTATION: Layers of Inspection Coverage: How Many Inspectors Do We Need on this Job Anyway?
When you get sent out to perform inspections, what questions do you need to ask to ensure you are performing the correct level of inspection? D1.1 tells us a couple of levels of QC vs QA but is the the limit to who is there and what they are doing regarding job quality? Each inspector needs to understand their role and the role of others ensuring workmanship and end product compliance and quality.
In this class we will discuss the various levels of inspection and what their responsibilities are and how to find out what you have been assigned to perform. This will affect what operations you perform and how, how you report it and who to, how often you are required to be on the job site, what authority you have for requesting work repairs, and so much more.
Shanen Aranmór, MS, NCC, CWI/CWE
Shanen Aranmór, MS, CWI/CWE, is a passionate advocate for skilled trades with over a decade of experience in promoting American manufacturing and fabrication. After transitioning from a college wellness professor to a welding and industrial technology expert, she founded Weld Like A Girl™ in 2017, offering public classes, community welding projects, and welder qualification services. Shanen's work has earned her multiple accolades, including the 2023 Dalton E. Hamilton Memorial CWI of the Year Award and the US Small Business Association Arizona Women in Business Champion Award. She also plays a vital role in Project MFG, supported by the US Department of Defense, where she helps elevate the trades and inspire the next generation of skilled workers.
PRESENTATION: Acceptance Criteria versus WPS: What Caused Those Defects?
Documents exist for the sole purpose of clarification and yet defects still exist. As one would see in an American boxing ring, professionals in both corners come out swinging, trying to defend themselves and win the title. In this session, we will explore real-life scenarios where acceptance criteria and welding processes fought a good fight yet discontinuities and/or defects still occurred. We will look at common welding defects and explore root causes, as well as discuss potential preventative measures that may reduce the rate of future flaws and failures.

Richard Campbell
Bechtel Fellow; Welding & NDE Services, Bechtel Welding & Applied Technology Center, Houston
Richard Campbell is an AWS Fellow and AWS Life Member, ASME Fellow, and Fellow Emeritus of Bechtel Corporation from which he recently retired. Now a contractor to AWS, he has more than 45 years of welding and metallurgical experience. He holds a BS degree in Welding Engineering from LeTourneau University and a PhD in Materials Engineering from RPI. He is an AWS SCWI, a CWB Level 2 Welding Inspector, an ASNT NDT Level III Visual Testing Inspector, and a registered professional engineer. He has been an officer or member of many AWS and ASME welding committees, including member of the Technical Activities Committee, D1 Structural Welding committee, chair of the D1.6 Stainless Steel Structural committee for 9 years, chair of the ASME Board on Conformity Assessment, and chair of the Inland Empire Section of AWS in Washington.
He has taught AWS CWI classes for nearly 30 years and has presented many seminars and authored dozens of technical articles on welding and metallurgy. In 2022 Dr. Campbell began penning the Stainless Q&A column in the Welding Journal upon the retirement of Dr. Damian Kotecki.
PRESENTATION: History of AWS and ASME Welding Codes and Standards – and the Concerning Potential Future
As the industrialization of America proceeded into the early 1900s, the frequency of accidents and failures increased substantially as well. As public concern increased, many technical societies began working to develop standards that could help ensure public safety and health. Examples of this include the work of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to develop the original boiler code published in 1915, or the work of the American Welding Society (AWS) to develop the first structural steel welding code published in 1928.
Today, these organizations are known as Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), many of which are nonprofit organizations, such as AWS and ASME. Modern codes and standards are maintained and developed by SDO committees of volunteers representing many companies and organizations from all aspects of industry. These consensus standards are published by the SDOs and the proceeds are used to further the work of the organization including the continued development of these codes and standards.
Many standards become incorporated by reference into municipal codes, such as building codes. Several organizations believe all codes and standards should be free. This is highlighted by several recent court cases dealing with the copyright of such standards. Currently, there are several proposals before the U.S. Congress (called the Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act or Pro Codes Act) that could dramatically alter the copyright protections for SDO published standards and could “bankrupt the SDO field entirely, getting rid of the very standards lawmakers hope to preserve.”
This presentation will: 1) provide a historical background on the development of welding codes and standards and how legal and congressional actions could change this soon, 2) discuss what SDOs are doing to influence congressional opinion on the Pro Codes Act, 3) outline what SDOs might do to ensure appropriate quality and safety if the Pro Codes Act become law, and 4) educate concerned industry professionals about the ramifications of this Act currently before Congress.
Andrew D. Wilson
Assistant Professor, BYU-Idaho
Andrew Wilson is the vice chair of the subcommittee for Welding Qualification for ASME Section IX. For the past 8 years he has been a Professor of Welding Engineering Technology at Brigham Young University-Idaho specializing in welding processes and welding codes and standards. Prior to that time, he worked as a senior welding engineer for Bechtel developing and maintaining project welding control manuals including WPSs, PQRs, and welding documentation procedures and systems. This work included codes such as ASME B31.3, ASME Section VIII, ASME Section IX, AWS D1.1, AWS D1.4, and AWS D1.6. Andrew holds BS and MS degrees in Welding Engineering Technology from Utah State University.
PRESENTATION: The History of AWS and ASME Welding Codes and Standards – and the Concerning Potential Future
As the industrialization of America proceeded into the early 1900s, the frequency of accidents and failures increased substantially as well. As public concern increased, many technical societies began working to develop standards that could help ensure public safety and health. Examples of this include the work of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to develop the original boiler code published in 1915, or the work of the American Welding Society (AWS) to develop the first structural steel welding code published in 1928.
Today, these organizations are known as Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), many of which are nonprofit organizations, such as AWS and ASME. Modern codes and standards are maintained and developed by SDO committees of volunteers representing many companies and organizations from all aspects of industry. These consensus standards are published by the SDOs and the proceeds are used to further the work of the organization including the continued development of these codes and standards.
Many standards become incorporated by reference into municipal codes, such as building codes. Several organizations believe all codes and standards should be free. This is highlighted by several recent court cases dealing with the copyright of such standards. Currently, there are several proposals before the U.S. Congress (called the Pro Codes Acts) that could dramatically alter the copyright protections for SDO published standards and could “bankrupt the SDO field entirely, getting rid of the very standards lawmakers hope to preserve.”
This presentation will: 1) provide a historical background on the development of welding codes and standards and how legal and congressional actions could change this soon, 2) discuss what SDOs are doing to influence congressional opinion on the Pro Codes Acts, 3) outline what SDOs might do to ensure appropriate quality and safety if the Pro Codes Acts become law, and 4) educate concerned industry professionals about the ramifications of these Acts currently before Congress.
Many codes and standards become incorporated by reference into municipal codes, such as building codes. Several organizations believe all codes and standards should be free if they are referenced in laws, and a number of court cases have confirmed this. There are several acts going through the U.S. Congress (called the Pro Codes Acts) that could dramatically alter the landscape of technical codes and standards, including those affecting the welding industry, including destroying the copyright protection these SDOs have.
This presentation will provide an historical background on the development of welding codes and standards and how legal and Congressional actions could change this in the near future. Learn what SDOs might do to ensure appropriate quality and safety codes and standards are available without being put out of business. If that happens, who or what organization would write the codes and standards, knowing that the U.S. government no longer writes standards?
Mike Caravaggio
Vice President, Electric Power Research Institute
Mike Caravaggio is the Vice President - Energy Supply - Fleet Reliability at the Electric Power Research Institute. EPRI's Energy Supply Sector conducts research on all aspects of electricity generation for a global group of generating companies. The sector have collaborative R&D programs covering the Thermal, Renewable & Next- Generation Fleet , Fleet Management and Operations, Digitalization, Materials, Thermal Optimization and Emissions Controls, Air Quality & Health, and Water & Land Management.
PRESENTATION: Renewable Fleets around the Globe
Data driven overview of the evolving renewable fleets around the globe. Evaluating the performance of renewable fleets as they continue to scale in regions like Germany, California, Texas, and elsewhere around the globe. The presentation will dive into the data and provide analysis and conclusions based on the growth of capacity and performance of generation from the renewable fleet.
Ajay Pasupuleti
Founder & CEO, Ooga Technologies
Dr. Pasupuleti is an entrepreneur with over 15 years’ experience in image processing, data management and archival technologies. He has successfully demonstrated that he can convert concepts and ideas into revenue streams and profitable companies. As founder and CEO of Ooga Technologies he strives to bring the worldwide NDT community closer through the Ooga Platform by improving efficiencies, and ensuring knowledge is not lost through attrition and/or retirements.
PRESENTATION: A New Approach to NDT Data Management and Problem Resolution in Nuclear and other Industries
This presentation will introduce a new and innovative approach to facilitate collaboration in the review of NDT data and the resolution of both technical and non-technical issues specifically in the nuclear industry.
Data Management is a growing issue in NDT including the need to readily access experts as needed with the appropriate talent to address specific and /or unexpected challenges. Ooga Technologies has assembled a team and developed a Ooga NDE platform to address these issues and more. For example, applications of NDT such as phased array, digital radiography, and computed tomography creates files upwards to over 50 gigabytes per part. The issue with having large datasets is the ability to find certified technicians readily available for scheduled and emergent work. The certification process in nuclear and other industries require considerable on-the-job training and experience. For individuals to achieve these requirements is becoming a major challenge for the industry. The demand for Level 2’s and 3’s to complete regulated tasks are extremely high. Production sites where 1000’s of datasets are viewed each day create risk to overall part inspection lead time. NDE 4.0 is changing the way businesses complete tasks automatically with digital systems, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and automated defect recognition, but ultimately leaves the final decision process up to the certified individual. These systems are now exceeding the speed at which an individual reviews and accepts data. Jobs requiring multiple examinations present a particular problem for data management of not only storage but more importantly retrieval and a means to share files with colleagues, customers or researchers for evaluation, opinion, study, education, etc. In addition, the Ooga NDE platform allows a selective group or multiple parties to review singularly or collectively the data. Another provision allows collaboration and discussion concerning challenging technical or non-technical issues. This unique approach also makes it possible for experts to be readily accessible on a global bases to address questions and assist in the effective and efficient resolution of issues. Specifically, the provisions include: 1) data storage, 2) associated software necessary for viewing, 3) a secured platform for private viewing or all the way to an open forum. 4) and a wide range of highly qualified, certified, and experienced experts that can address any NDT issue rapidly.
Ricky L. Morgan, ASNT NDT Level III and AWS CWI
VP, FlawTech
Ricky L. Morgan is the President of FlawTech America, LLC in Concord, North Carolina, with over 35 years of experience in NDT inspections across various industries. He has been an ASNT NDT Level III since 1992, specializing in MT, PT, and UT methods, and played a key role in evaluating buildings after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. His recent landmark projects include the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, Las Vegas High Roller, and Disney’s Star Wars "Galaxy’s Edge." Morgan is a past president of ASNT and currently serves on its Board of Directors, overseeing multiple committees and has received several prestigious awards, including the ASNT Lou DeValerio Technician of the Year Award and the ASNT Phillip D. Johnson Honorary Member Award.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Let’s Talk About The “E” Word – ETHICS
We hear this word used all the time. As Inspectors we are expected to know, we sign these Codes of Ethics for every different certification authority we are certified by. The definition is relatively simple, Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines ethics as a noun meaning “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation, or a set of moral principles governing an individual or a group,” but execution can be challenging, to say the least, in the world of Quality and Inspection.
Even if you do not know the dictionary definition, you know when and where ethics are not in practice. You cannot evoke the term ethics without a discussion of integrity and morals. As Inspectors where did/do our integrity and morals come from? Why do we continue to hear about these ethical lapses within our respective industries? We still have work to do, and it is imperative that we get this right. Loss of the public’s confidence in our abilities to ensure quality in our respective industries is unacceptable. These failures can be attributed to many things including but not limited to complacency, schedule, fear of losing job, financial, overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, etc.
So, let’s put this front and center to talk about ethics. Continue to do so with others in your respective industries and not allow these lapses to taint all the good work we do. Depending on how good your questions are, you just might get some valuable insight into how to handle your next ethical challenge.
Panelists include Roger Engelbart; Lee Pialet, Pioneer Steel Services; Brent Boling, Arc-Tech Welding Inspections; and Shanen Aranmor, Weld Like a Girl. A broad perspective will be presented on how ethics, when implemented in the true spirit ensures life safety and is why we do what we do.
“Ethics is nothing else than reverence for life” – Albert Schweitzer.