CWI Corner - Meet Dave Lynnes

Dave Lynnes was looking for a potential career path; instead, he discovered a lifelong passion for welding that has led to a rich life centered around the craft. That passion had grown into a family legacy, three welding schools, and a nearly 40-year career that encompasses years of hard work and dedication.

Family Legacy

Lynnes’ career in welding seemed almost inevitable. He was inspired by his father, a welder, to take welding classes in high school. Early class work focused on basic techniques. It wasn’t until his senior year, when his class built a dock, that he fell in love with welding.

“The dock sparked my passion for welding . . . I was hooked,” he said.

After graduating from high school, he worked for a manufacturing company, gaining experience in wire welding. Lynnes was hungry to learn more. He took night classes at a technical school, which allowed him to fully experience all the opportunities available in the welding industry. He soon committed to a nine-month welding program, during which he applied and was accepted to the Pipefitter’s apprenticeship program.

Lynnes spent five years studying under the apprenticeship program, a lengthy feat he embraced head-on. Once finished with the program, he taught pipe welding to apprentices for seven years, while continuing to work in the field for the next 20 years.

“Teaching allowed me to share my knowledge and skills with the next generation of pipe welders,” he said.

Teaching Others

His early passion for sharing his knowledge made his next career move, opening a welding school, a natural decision.

“After years in the field, I wanted to give back and share what I’d learned,” he said. Opening a school allowed him to do just that. He launched his first welding school in Fargo, N.Dak., in 2006. It is an AWS Accredited Test Facility site, with four Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs) on staff. They offer procedure qualification record testing, welder qualifications, welding procedure specifications, tensile pulls, and bend tests.

The success of his welding school was immediate and four short years later, he expanded to a second location in Bismarck, N.Dak. His third school in New Hope, Minn., was opened two years ago.

“The transition from fieldwork to running a school was challenging at first. Running a business requires a different skill set, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see students succeed,” Lynnes said. The schools allow him the opportunity to share his passion and experience with students, helping them develop skills that can transform their lives. His welding schools have been a great success, with students traveling from across the country to study under Lynnes.

Lynnes’ welding schools are designed to provide students with the knowledge and expertise needed to become highly skilled welders. His schools offer intimate class sizes, where students can learn on either a full-time or part-time schedule to become skilled welders from the start.

An example of his work in teaching future welders can be found within his own family, as both his sons have followed in the family footsteps to become third-generation welders. His son, Adam, began teaching at their Fargo location over a decade ago and now serves as director of education, whereas his son, Nathan, works as a quality control supervisor for TrueNorth Steel in Fargo. Lynnes and his sons are all CWIs, a signifier that welding has truly become a family passion.

Lynnes became a CWI because he wanted to expand his knowledge in welding and add another feather to his cap. He took the AWS – CWI course, but had no idea it would help him to become a better welder. Lynnes calls it one of the best decisions he’s made in his welding career.

“Teaching my sons has been a proud and fulfilling experience. Watching them develop their skills and carry on the family tradition is something I’ll always cherish,” Lynnes said. And his thirst for sharing his skills expands beyond his welding schools.

Giving Back to the Community

Lynnes is active in both his local and national welding communities. He’s been an active AWS member since 1993 and has served in every officer position within his Section, including six years as District director.

“AWS has been instrumental in my career — providing networking opportunities, fostering professional growth, and cultivating lifelong friendships. Early on, those connections helped me find jobs, and today, they support our schools through events and meetings.”

Outside of his professional life, Lynnes gives back to the community by hosting competitions and working with various youth organizations, including Scouting America (formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America) and local high schools, to help introduce welding to the next generation and spark interest in the trades. He also participates in local career fairs and community workshops to promote welding as a valuable skill.

Looking Ahead

When speaking of his future, retirement is not yet on his radar. Lynnes is excited to see how emerging technologies, such as AI-driven welding systems, will continue to shape the future of the trade.

“Modern equipment is more precise, efficient, and safer than ever before. Automation, robotics, and improved safety features have transformed the way we work,” he said.

He also has plans to continue growing his schools and advancing welding education. “My focus is on developing programs that meet industry needs and inspire the next generation of welders,” he added. Lynnes would encourage anyone to take a welding class or attend a workshop to get hands-on experience.

“Welding is a skill that opens doors to many opportunities, and even if you don’t pursue it as a career, the knowledge can be useful in countless ways. Be curious, stay persistent, and don’t be afraid to learn from mistakes — they’re part of the process.”

RACHEL BHEECHAM (rbheecham@aws.org) is the assistant editor of Inspection Trends.