American Welding Society Announces Two Key Appointments in Management Team.

MIAMI -- The American Welding Society (AWS), the world's largest organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology and application of welding, announced today the promotion of one of its key executive members in addition to welcoming a new director of the Society's educational services department.

Cassie Burrell, a 15-year veteran at AWS, has been promoted to the position of Deputy Executive Director. In her new role, she will manage Certification and Publication Services in addition to her current responsibilities, which include Membership, Marketing, and Human Resources. Mrs. Burrell has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility at the Society, with her most recent post as Associate Executive Director. Under Mrs. Burrell's leadership, AWS membership has reached an all time record high of 50,623 in December, 2006. Mrs. Burrell graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina with a bachelor's degree in business management.

AWS has welcomed Dennis Marks to lead its Education Services Department as Managing Director. In this role, Mr. Marks will be responsible for cultivating and executing AWS' education services, including seminars and conferences. Mr. Marks brings with him an extensive background of experience and education. He served for 12 years as vocation and technology education instructor in the Kansas City Public School system, where he was highly involved in curriculum development and execution. After retiring from the public school system, Mr. Marks directed the instructional services division for MarkLand Consultants in Miami, Florida, where he was responsible for instructional design and training. Most recently, Mr. Marks served as Program Manager of Educational Management at Online Higher Education in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In that capacity, he was responsible for program management, project management and instructional design. Mr. Marks received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska and his master's degree in Adult Learning and Curriculum Design from Mid-America Nazarene College in Olathe, Kansas.

About AWS

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, AWS serves more than 50,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with more than 200 local Sections. For more information, visit the Society's website at http://www.aws.org and click on "pressroom."