AWS Names New Executive Director & CEO
The board of directors of the American Welding Society (AWS; Miami, FL) have appointed the organization’s current chief operating officer, Matt Miller, to succeed Ray Shook as the executive director and chief executive officer upon his retirement at the end of 2017. Miller will officially begin his new role in January 2018 as Shook transitions to the role of executive director emeritus.
After an extensive search process, Miller was hired in January 2017 with the intent to ramp up his on-boarding in preparation for his eventual move into this new position. He previously served as the chief operating officer of National Association of Corrosion Engineers International (NACE; Houston, TX). During his tenure there, he led a variety of new programs and global initiatives and grew revenues through partnerships, training, membership activities, technical conferences and student competitions. Prior to joining NACE, he served as the director of the Society of Automotive Engineers Foundation (SAE; Warrendale, PA), where he led the strategic direction for their Pre-Professional Education Programs, including the award-winning A World in Motion (AWIM) Program and SAE Collegiate Design Series.
Miller is a decorated veteran who served in the U.S. Army Infantry during Operation Desert Storm. He holds an MS in Nonprofit Management from Robert Morris University, an MS in Instructional Technology from Duquesne University, and also graduated Summa cum Laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Elementary Education.
“Matt’s deep expertise in both non-profit and education makes him uniquely well-suited to lead AWS,” commented Shook. “Having worked with him closely since the beginning of the year, I’ve witnessed his incredible efforts to quickly get up to speed on the welding and cutting industry. I have complete confidence in his leadership and am committed to supporting him in his new role.” Since joining AWS, Miller has worked diligently with Shook and the AWS board to ensure a successful transition plan. “I am honored to serve as the executive director and chief executive officer, and am very grateful for Ray Shook’s guidance as we maintain our relentless focus in service to our members, partners, colleagues and the welding industry at large,” he said.
