Hector Villarreal’s Post

Many thanks to Molly Burgess and the gasworld US team for writing this fine article on my favorite subject, new technology. I have always been one of those annoying people who rushes out to get the latest whatever. Over the years I have learned that new isn’t always better but for me, the new, is always interesting. I feel extremely blessed to have made a career of helping steer people towards the future while minimizing the stress that comes with change.

Yesterday, we lost a valued member of our community. David "Sully" Sullivan, a retired 3M employee, and a dedicated member of GAWDA and the American Welding Society's WEMCO committee, passed away. Sully will be remembered as a good friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His presence will truly be missed. #DavidSullivan #restinpeace #gawda #awswemco

Welding Company of America 🇺🇸 wishes you all a safe and happy Independence Day! #Weldcoa 100% made in America!

Having just left the incredibly well attended Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Annual in New Orleans, I’m even more optimistic about this years growth potential. CGA’s phenomenal event experienced record breaking turn out. AND during the CGA meeting GAWDA’s 2024 President, Gary Halter, announced that the SMC in San Antonio also had record breaking registered attendees for the April meeting! The industry is clearly energized and mobilized for continued growth.

Today, I had the privilege of thanking our outgoing CGA Committee Leaders for their unwavering dedication to making our industry safer. As a Board Member, I am fortunate enough to witness firsthand the tireless efforts put into developing new safety standards. Their hard work and commitment have undoubtedly made our industry significantly safer. All of us should continue to prioritize safety in all aspects of our industry.

At Weldcoa we use the latest technology to do everything. Snow storm? No problem.

Every Christmas the entire Weldcoa team gathers together for a family meal. We celebrate anniversaries, promotions, new additions to the team etc. But this year we came together to honor Bud Klotz’s years of service to Weldcoa and the Compressed Gas Industry. One on one and as a group we wished him a heart felt farewell in to retirement. So on behalf of Bud and myself we wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Diwali, Boxing Day, Kwanza, St Nicholas Day and Yule! God bless you all!

Twenty Eight years ago I met Bud Klotz. Back then he was working for Liquid Carbonic. A year-ish later he joined me at Weldcoa. And for the next twenty seven years we built Weldcoa into what it is today; A company run by an amazing team of talented, dedicated people, serving an incredibly diverse and amazing group of clients. Bud’s retiring at the end of the year. (Something about wanting to spend more time hunting and fishing and going out with Judy.) I’m going to miss our morning discussions on life, liberty and the pursuit of a perfect shotgun. I’m going to miss our endless arguments over whatever thing bugged him that day. I’m going to miss the ridiculous amount of appetizers that he loved to order before every meal. I’m going to miss his ever changing, quarterly, health kicks and diet obsessions; standing desk, sitting on a ball instead of a chair, intermittent fasting, essential oil diffuser and on and on. 😀 I’m going to miss him constantly walking into my office and interrupting whatever I was working on, to tell me what ever vagery was heavy on his mind. In short I’m going to miss seeing my good friend every day. Bud I wish you nothing but the best in retirement!

It’s official! We’ve entered the Holiday Season and Weldcoa is big time into it! 😄 That’s our very own Director of Marketing, Melissa Heard, standing tall between the goliaths. 🎅 #seasonsgreetings #weldcoa #peaceonearth

To all U.S. Veterans, thank you! #USA #veteransday2023 #thankyou