GAWDA and its industry partners recognized outstanding companies, volunteers and association leaders during the Closing General Session of the 2026 GAWDA Annual Convention in Boston.
The awards celebrated achievements in workplace safety, welding-industry leadership and volunteer service. The ceremony also recognized two outgoing GAWDA leaders for their contributions to the association.
CORE Industrial Gases and Vern Lewis Welding Supply earn safety awards
The Compressed Gas Association presented the 2026 GAWDA Distributor Safety Awards to CORE Industrial Gases and Vern Lewis Welding Supply.
The awards recognize GAWDA distributor members that demonstrated the greatest improvement in personnel safety over a five-year period. Recipients are selected in two categories based on employee exposure hours.
CORE Industrial Gases received the award for companies with 100,000 or fewer employee exposure hours.
Vern Lewis Welding Supply received the award for companies with more than 100,000 employee exposure hours.
The two awards highlighted the companies’ commitment to continuous safety improvement and reinforced the importance of protecting employees throughout the gases and welding industry.
Arc3 Gases receives the Excellence in Welding Award
WEMCO recognized Arc3 Gases as the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Welding Award in the Distributor Category.
Arc3 Gases was honored for its support of the skilled trades, welding education, manufacturing and the communities it has served throughout its century in business.
The Excellence in Welding Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate leadership and make meaningful contributions to the welding industry. Arc3’s selection celebrated both the company’s longevity and its continued investment in the people, institutions and communities that sustain the trade.
Longtime GAWDA volunteers recognized
GAWDA Executive Director John Ospina and Past President Eric Wood also recognized several members for their volunteer leadership and service to the association.
Bob Ranc was honored for 22 years of service as a Central Regional Co-Chair. His more than two decades in the role helped strengthen the Central Regional Meeting and create valuable educational and networking opportunities for GAWDA members.
Mike Roach was recognized for five years of service as a Central Regional Co-Chair.
Mike Trueba was honored for nine years of service as a Northeast Regional Co-Chair.
Ben Black of Butler Gas Products was recognized for his service as Co-Chair of GAWDA’s Membership Committee. Black was also announced during the convention as GAWDA’s next “Mr. X” and subsequently elected Second Vice President as part of the association’s 2026–2027 leadership slate.
The recognitions reflected the essential role volunteers play in organizing regional meetings, supporting committees and advancing GAWDA’s work on behalf of its members.
Eric Wood recognized for association leadership
Eric Wood was recognized for his service to GAWDA’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Wood previously served as GAWDA President and continued supporting the association as a member of its leadership team. His recognition celebrated the time, guidance and experience he contributed throughout his years of board and executive service.
Allison Earlbeck honored following presidential year
Outgoing GAWDA President Allison Earlbeck received a commemorative plaque and her Past President’s jacket in recognition of her year leading the association.
Earlbeck’s 2026 presidency centered on “The Human Advantage in the Digital Age,” emphasizing the importance of empathy, trust, relationships and other distinctly human strengths during a period of rapid technological change.
Her year also included expanded programming related to artificial intelligence, workforce development and leadership, as well as the 2026 GAWDA Gives Back campaign supporting Canines for Disabled Kids and Second Chance Animal Services.
The presentation marked Earlbeck’s transition to First Past President as Kevin Falconer assumed the GAWDA presidency for 2026–2027.
Celebrating safety, leadership and service
Together, the 2026 award recipients represent the many ways GAWDA members strengthen the association and the gases and welding industry.
GAWDA congratulates CORE Industrial Gases, Vern Lewis Welding Supply, Arc3 Gases, Bob Ranc, Mike Roach, Mike Trueba, Ben Black, Eric Wood and Allison Earlbeck on their well-earned recognition.
Browse the photo gallery below for highlights from the 2026 awards presentation during GAWDA’s Closing General Session in Boston.
