3 Progress Parkway, Union, Missouri 63084
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Forging America’s Future,
One Welder at a Time
At American Welding Academy, we combine expert instruction, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized certifications to prepare students for lifelong success in the welding and fabrication industry.
Our Mission and Vision
American Welding Academy is the premier welding school in the United States, combining the expertise of world-class welding instructors, business professionals, and dedicated staff to deliver a unique and rigorous training program. Our curriculum ensures academic excellence, develops diverse technical skills, and prepares students to meet the demands of the welding industry empowering graduates to achieve meaningful and successful employment in their careers.
🧰 Meet Our Team
The Instructors Who Forge the Future of Welding
ROB KNOLL
AWA Owner & President
Email: [email protected]
Direct Office #: (636) 649-4179
ㆍRob Knoll is an entrepreneur with a vast background of building successful businesses with passion and strong leadership. He was a Chesterfield, MO police officer for 12 years & he has over 20 plus years experience in starting and building successful companies. Rob founded American Welding Academy after seeing the need for a welding school that offered high level training with a modern approach to both academic and hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art environment.
ㆍActive member of American Welding Society Safety and Health committee as well at SH4 sub committee.
ADAM HOLT
Co-Owner, Director of Training & Certified Welding Inspector
Email: [email protected]
Direct Office #: (636) 649-4185
ㆍAmerican Welding Society
ㆍCertified Welding Inspector.
ㆍ19 years experience in vocational and adult welding education.
ㆍExtensive experience using SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, ACAG certifications.
ㆍIn-depth knowledge relevant to AWS, ASME, and API welding codes.
SkillsUSA advisor from 2005 to 2019.
ㆍAwarded with the Special School District, Teacher of the Year Award for the 2017-2018 school year. This was the first time a technical education instructor was bestowed this award.
ㆍPerformed customized welding training and projects for Ameren UE, Laclede Gas, Washington Metal Fabricators, Clemco Industries, Canam Steel, Gerald Industries, Cummins Diesel, Toyota, Michelin, and the US ARMY.
ㆍActive member of a welding advisory council and is a current American Welding Society Professional Member.
KEVIN HARVEY
Lead Welding Instructor & Certified Welding Inspector
Email: [email protected]
ㆍCertified Welding Inspector.
ㆍProfessional Combo Welder.
ㆍOver 15 years in-field experience.
ㆍSpecialized in commercial structural construction site welding and commercial/residential mobile repair welding on things ranging from hand rails to heavy equipment.
ㆍWorked for well known companies such as; WB industries, CR metal products, Laciny Brothers, & SAHM welding.
ㆍContinued profession with Boeing, McDonald Douglas, Lockheed martin, Pfizer, Bayer (previously monsanto), Mallinckrodt pharmaceutical, Tesla, and multiple brewing and spirits companies.
ㆍPossesses a multitude of AWS & ASME welding certifications utilizing MIG, TIG & STICK.
ㆍForklift certified
ㆍOSHA 10 hour certified
BRET FREEMAN
Welding Instructor
Email: [email protected]
ㆍExperienced Certified Pipe/Structural Welder.
ㆍExperienced reading isometric pipe drawings.
ㆍProfessional Combo Welder.
ㆍTen years field experience.
In-depth knowledge of pipe take-offs, offsets, rolling offsets and odd angle offsets.
ㆍExtensive knowledge in exotic welding
ㆍWorked in twenty-four states.
ㆍWorked in plants and refineries: such as chemical nuclear plants, power plants, natural gas plants and pump stations for pipeline.
ㆍPossesses a multitude of AWS and ASME welding certifications utilizing the SMAW, GTAW, FCAW and FMAW processes.
ㆍForklift certified.
ㆍOSHA – 10 certified.
MITCH CHAMBLES
Welding Instructor
Email: [email protected]
ㆍProfessional Journeyman Welder with over 10 years’ experience across various fields.
ㆍ2 years of process piping/sanitary pipe welding inside food/dairy/medical/cosmetic facilities for Central States Industrial.
ㆍ3 years at Paul Mueller Company as Craftsman Welder. Fabricated insertion heaters, heat exchangers, beer tanks, wine tanks and various other stainless steel products.
ㆍ5 years as a welder/ironworker/crane installation lead for Tri-State Overhead Crane, fabricated and installed 100s of Overhead cranes and crane systems while employed with the company.
ㆍWorked in twenty-three states.
ㆍPossess multiple AWS and ASME welder qualifications.
ㆍForklift, Aerial lift, Telehandler and Carry Deck operations certified.
ㆍOSHA 10 certified
JORDAN MILES
Welding Instructor
Email: [email protected]
ㆍExperienced Professional Combo Welder with over 17 years of experience iin various fields.
ㆍSpecialized in custom fabrication of various metals.
ㆍWorked in a multitude of fields, such as oil/gas pipeline, plant shutdowns including sanitary stainless, automotive restoration, performance and customization; custom store fixtures; boat repair and custom boat builds; modifications and accessories.
ㆍPossesses multiple AWS and ASME certifications utilizing TIG, STICK and MIG processes.
ㆍForklift certified.
ㆍOSHA-10 certified
SEAN FLOTTMANN
Director of Student Outreach
ㆍFabrication welder with 22 years experience.
ㆍWorked locally at Washington Metal Fabricators, Stork Fabricators & ProMach.
ㆍExtensive on the job experience with metal fitting, polishing & fabrication.
ㆍCollaborated with industry leading companies such as Clark’s, Nike, Reebok & Chico’s to showcase products at their flagship stores.
ㆍFabricated conveyor systems for companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Reckitt & Benckiser.
ㆍ10 year experience in custom stainless artwork & mirror welded murals.
ㆍFronius Welding USA Brand Ambassador.
ㆍBlue Demon Welding Brand Ambassador.
MIKE BADGER
Student Outreach Coordinator
16 years experience as a Navy Dive Welder in over 50 countries..
American Welding Society Certified Combo Welder.
Extensive experience as a Diving Subject Matter Expert with a Master Training Specialist qualification. Completing salvage, underwater welding, underwater demolition and was an Advanced Special Operation Diver with Naval Special Warfare Group supporting USSOCOM missions.
3 years experience teaching high school Welding for TCAT dual enrollment programs and college welding programs.
Welding has taken me around the world and coast to coast, exposing me to many different
countries and cultures.
With over 150 years of combined experience, let us help you build your career in welding. Your future starts here.
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