SAYING GOODBYE

By Marty Baker, Editor

There is a line in a song I recall, “…you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”  I believe many employers will find this to be true.  We take for granted those people who have performed a high-quality job at our workplace, perhaps for many years, and we really don’t appreciate them until we need to find a replacement.  Then we find out that the qualities someone possesses are a unique combination.  Obviously, we all believe we are irreplaceable while fully knowing that one day every one of us will be replaced. 

Here at the Hobart Institute, we recently had to bid farewell to two long-time employees, Steve Houston and Deb Leedy.  Many of you became familiar with Steve throughout the years and know that he was the quietly driving force behind the development of the high-quality training materials that Hobart Institute produces for welding instruction in vocational and industrial settings.  In addition to program development, Steve also took the lead in marketing and selling this product at various educational trade shows and in presentations to those guiding the welding curriculums of various state departments of education.  He possessed a unique combination of the ability to write, develop curriculum, and had a great sales acumen. 

Deb has held various positions in the Institute office throughout the past eight years, most recently as Financial Aid Advisor to our students.  Parents and students alike have depended on Deb to guide them through the process of financing welding education.  Deb recently earned her bachelor’s degree and is pursuing her advanced career.   

Steve has chosen to take his career to another level as well and has plans to eventually work in his homeland of Canada.  He is leaving some big shoes to fill.  But that dedication to producing high quality materials is not leaving with Steve.  Hobart Institute of Welding Technology is committed to continue to exceed the expectations of the welding education and industrial training community, which has been done since 1930, and will continue to produce and market top quality welding training materials to meet the global demand.  While both Deb and Steve will be missed, our able staff won’t miss a beat in continuing to provide assistance for our most valuable asset… the students.