The 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention Concludes with Induction of New Board Slate
The final day of the 2025 GAWDA Annual Convention began with newly announced First Vice President Nicole Kissler taking the stage to announce that this year’s Convention saw 919 attendees, including 236 distributors and 477 suppliers. Thank you so much to everybody who took the time to attend this year’s Convention and commemorate GAWDA’s 80th Anniversary.
Following a brief break, attendees reconvened for the keynote presentation of this year’s 2025 Convention. GAWDA President Eric Wood had the opportunity to interview Willie Robertson, the star and executive producer of Duck Dynasty. Willie is also a New York Times best-selling author, founder of Buck Commander, and CEO of Duck Commander. Willie was the perfect choice to headline this year’s Convention, as he can relate intimately with this year’s theme of “Sustaining a Resilient Culture,” and he also dovetails with this year’s GAWDA Gives Back Recipient, Black Dagger Military Hunt Club. While the Robertsons’ story is a testament to hard work and entrepreneurship, at its core, it is built on faith and family, a sentiment that many GAWDA members can certainly relate to. And it certainly didn’t hurt that Willie immediately caught onto the sense of humor that GAWDA members appreciate!
Recognizing Contributions to the Gases and Welding Industry
Following Willie’s interview, WEMCO Chair Dave Taylor took the stage to recognize this year’s WEMCO Awards of Excellence. Congratulations to Barnes Welding for winning this year’s WEMCO Distributor Award.
Then, Gary Halter and John Ospina took the stage to present this year’s GAWDA Volunteer Awards. First, John presented a plaque to Gary in recognition of his years of service to the Board and Executive Committee, including an extra year of service due to the COVID pandemic.
Then, Gary recognized Eric Wood, Albert Castillo, Brad Dunn, John Hill, Jason Kirby, and Liz McMurphy for their tireless years of service to GAWDA’s Board of Directors. GAWDA is better off because of your incredible efforts. Thank you for your service.
Finally, the 2026 Board Slate was ratified, as Ben Black, Bill Woods, Dave Lambert, Erich Haun, Josh Davidhizer, Timm Evans, and Will Gentry will join the 2026 Board of Directors, while Nicole Kissler will join the Board as 1st Vice President and Justin Johnson will join as Second Vice President. Congratulations to all, we can’t wait to work with you!
The Changing of the Guard
Finally, GAWDA transitioned presidents as Allison Earlbeck was officially inducted as the 2026 GAWDA President. Following the traditional presidential induction video, GAWDA stalwart and Allison’s dad Jim Earlbeck took the stage to introduce Allison to the membership. “She knows that people are the biggest differentiator in any business. Our president Joe stated in the video that sometimes the older generation has a hard time dealing with the younger generation. I remember that from when I was the younger generation. A huge generational shift is coming—a shift that is going to be radically exaggerated by this thing called AI. I predict that when you look at this moment through the lens of time, you will see that she had a vision and was the right person for the job. Good, bad, or indifferent, you are stuck with Allie as your next GAWDA President.”
Finally, Allison was guided to the stage by the 17 GAWDA Past Presidents in attendance. Once on stage, Allison was presented with the President’s Pin, President’s Plaque, and President’s Banner.
Allison then called Woody back to the stage to present him with the traditional outgoing president’s gift, a customized humidor stocked with cigars from Tampa’s own JC Newman. Congratulations, Woody, you’ve earned each one.
Then, Allison addressed the crowd to introduce her theme for 2026, “The Human Advantage in the Digital Age.” “While it may feel counterintuitive to focus on emotional intelligence during a technological revolution, it is precisely the moment when humanity must lead. Machines replicate knowledge, but only we build connection. GAWDA is preparing for the generational handoff, and our mission is to support members at every stage of that journey.”
Allison also gave the crowd a tantalizing look at 2026, including that the MBA Program will be returning next year, as well as the fact that Anese Cavanaugh, who attendees of this year’s Seven Springs Regional will be familiar with, will be speaking at this year’s SMC. Finally, the YP Committee will be hosting a “GAWDA Growth Workshop at each of the 2026 Regional Meetings. She concluded the speech with ““If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Click to view the Business Session Speaker Photo Gallery.
