Spraytime

By the time you receive this issue of SPRAYTIME, Kirk Fick will be your new ITSA chair. For the past two years, I have had the privilege to serve as chair, and I am so thankful to the ITSA board and members for their support throughout that time. As I reflect on my term, I am proud to have been a part of a positive growth trajectory for ITSA that included adding new members, developing new standards, and supporting the advancement of thermal spray technology. We also had a wonderful annual business meeting in Buffalo, N.Y., last year. It was the first face-to-face meeting for ITSA members post-COVID-19 pandemic. And preparations are underway for our 2024 gathering in Miami, Fla., this November.

I am also honored to follow in the footsteps of my father, Jack Blasingame, who was a member of ITSA for more than 40 years and served in various roles, including chair.

I welcome incoming Chair Kirk Fick, as he starts his term. I also invite you all to join us in November in Miami. On November 5, we will have an AWS C2 Committee on Thermal Spraying meeting and our ITSA Executive Committee meeting. On November 6, in conjunction with AMPP, ITSA will host a thermal spray symposium and group dinner. On November 7, we will host our annual business meeting and visit the Florida International University engineering campus for an exciting tour that will include their brand-new, state-of-the-art cold spray lab. I hope to see you all this fall.

Thank you again to the ITSA executive committee and our outstanding members for supporting me during my term as chair.

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.

OFFICER

Kirk Fick, chair, Cincinnati Thermal Spray Inc.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (above officer 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 (800) 443-9353, ext. 295, or itsa@thermalspray.org.

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