Victor Y. Matthews, of Novelty, Ohio, an AWS Distinguished Member and a 46-year veteran of The Lincoln Electric Company, one of the largest suppliers of welding products, has been installed as the 2009 President and Chairman of the Board of the American Welding Society (AWS).
“The American Welding Society has made significant contributions to the metalworking industry since its founding in 1919,” Matthews said.

“It is a great personal honor for me to serve as its leader during this special 90th anniversary year.

“One of the most important items on our agenda will be to address the critical shortage of welders in the United States,” Matthews said.

He noted that the U.S. is losing 50,000 skilled welders a year to retirement and there is a need to educate younger men and women on the benefits of a career in welding.
During his term, Matthews will manage the affairs of the Society and will preside at all board of eirectors and executive committee meetings, as well as the Society’s annual meeting and any special meetings of its members.  Matthews will also represent the American Welding Society at many of its local Section meetings, and other technical, national and international meetings.
Matthews began his career at The Lincoln Electric Company in 1963 as a bend brake operator.

He attended Lincoln’s welding school and earned all of the diplomas it had to offer. He progressed to work in the Electrode Research and Development group for 13 years, during which time he obtained an Associate degree from DeVry and a Management degree from John Carroll. He holds patents in eight countries for work done in the lab.

Matthews moved to the manufacturing facility as plant welding engineer where he worked for 12 years. He automated many workstations and put into production the company’s first-ever welding robot for piecework.
In 1990, he joined the Service Department with responsibility for engine-driven welding machines. In 1992, he was assigned responsibility for Cleveland-manufactured consumable products worldwide. Currently, he is responsible for the entire Lincoln product line of Cleveland-made products used worldwide.

He is the past president of the Lincoln Electric Employee’s Association and Sick Benefit Fund. Lincoln recognized him with its Man of the Year Award in 1995.
Matthews, who has served as a member of the Cleveland Section of AWS for 39 years, including serving as a chairman of the Cleveland section, just completed his third term as a vice president of the AWS.

Currently, he serves on the Silent Auction Committee, Standards Council, Role & Missions, Technical Activities Committee (TAC) and International Standards Activities Committee (ISAC). He served eight years on the Promotions, Exhibitions and Marketing Committee (PEMCO), the Executive Committee, the Professional Development Council and the Government Affairs Liaison Committee.
The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 50,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and student chapters. For more information, visit the society’s website at http://www.aws.org.