An Original CWI Still Keeps with the Program

摘要

The American Welding Society launched the Certified Welding Inspector program in 1976. William (Bill) F. Via, Jr., was a member of that first class of CWIs and still proudly holds the certification today. When he walked into the room to take the CWI test in Richmond, Va., October 1976, Via saw it as something of an experiment. "I didn't know what to expect at the time," he recalled. "Now it is a much more formalized and strengthened program." He took the test because "my boss at that time (Maurice F. Menefee), and I felt that this program could potentially set the standard for quality in inspection throughout the industry in our line of work," he said. "We felt the CWI program had the potential to do exactly what it turns out it has done. After 30 years, I feel it is now just coming to full fruition." When he first became a CWI, Via worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). He had joined VDOT in 1968 after completing his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. After 16 years at VDOT, he left and spent another 16 years in NDE equipment sales and consulting. In 2000, he returned to VDOT as a materials engineer heading the Structures section.