ITSA Member News

With the 2025 ITSA Annual Meeting and Symposium fast approaching, I’m excited to share updates on what’s ahead for our association. This year’s event will be held November 10–12 at the Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria, Ill., in partnership with AMPP. Our program will spotlight mining, agriculture, and overhaul/repair applications, three areas where thermal spray continues to provide real, measurable value. I’m especially pleased that Dan Sordelet of Caterpillar will be our keynote speaker, and attendees will have the chance to tour a Caterpillar production facility, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how coatings support modern manufacturing in heavy equipment.

As we prepare for Peoria, I also want to remind everyone of the upcoming 2025 ITSA Scholarship deadline on October 30. This is an important opportunity to support graduate students pursuing careers in thermal spray or related fields. Please take a moment to encourage qualified applicants in your network; it’s one of the best ways we can invest in the future of our industry.

Another way you can contribute is by sharing your expertise through SPRAYTIME. Submitting articles, case studies, or updates is free and helps showcase the work being done across our community. Upcoming issues will focus on:

• Q4 (December 2025): Thermal spray powders
• Q1 (March 2026): Thermal spray repair

Contributions are typically due about two months before publication. For details on submissions and advertising opportunities, please get in touch with Cindy Weihl (cweihl@aws.org).

Thank you all for your continued support of ITSA. I look forward to seeing many of you in Peoria this fall as we come together to share ideas, strengthen connections, and advance the impact of thermal spray technology.

ITSA MISSION STATEMENT

The International Thermal Spray Association (ITSA), a standing committee of the American Welding Society, is a professional industrial organization dedicated to expanding the use of thermal spray technologies for the benefit of industry and society. ITSA invites all interested companies to talk with our officers and company representatives to better understand member benefits.

OFFICERS

Kirk Fick, chair, Cincinnati Thermal Spray Inc.

Ashley Hunsaker, vice chair, HTS Coatings

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

(previously listed officers plus the following)

Mollie Blasingame, Superior Shot Peening & Coatings

Ana Duminie, North American Höganäs

Jim Ryan, TechMet Alloys

David A. Lee, David Lee Consulting LLC

Bill Mosier, Polymet Corp.

ITSA SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

ITSA offers annual graduate scholarships. Since 1992, the ITSA scholarship program has contributed to the growth of the thermal spray community, especially in the development of new technologists and engineers. ITSA is very proud of this education partnership and encourages all eligible participants to apply. Visit thermalspray.org for criteria information and a printable application form.

ITSA SPRAYTIME

Since 1992, ITSA has been publishing SPRAYTIME for the thermal spray industry. The mission is to be the flagship thermal spray industry publication providing company, event, personnel, product, research, and membership news of interest to the thermal spray community.

JOIN ITSA

Membership is open to companies involved in all facets of the industry — equipment and materials suppliers, job shops, in-house facilities, educational institutions, industry consultants, and others.

Engage with dozens of like-minded industry professionals at the Annual ITSA Membership Meeting, where there’s ample time for business and personal discussions. Learn about industry advancements through the one-day technical program, participate in the half-day business meeting, and enjoy your peers in a relaxed atmosphere complete with fun social events.

Build awareness of your company and its products and services through valuable promotional opportunities: a listing in SPRAYTIME, exposure on the ITSA website, and recognition at industry trade shows.

Plus, ITSA Membership comes with an AWS Supporting Company Membership and up to five AWS Individual Memberships to give to your best employees, colleagues, or customers. Visit aws.org/membership/supportingcompany for a complete listing of additional AWS benefits. For more information, contact Adrian Bustillo at (786) 937-9595 or abustillo@aws.org.

For an ITSA Membership application, visit the membership section at thermalspray.org.