With a passion for welding, Eric Leugers of Botkins, Ohio, applied for and was awarded the Howard B. Cary Scholarship by the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.  Eric is the son of Michael and Katherine Leugers and attended Botkins High School, where he was active in FFA, baseball, golf, and swim team.   He also serves his community as a volunteer firefighter and a baseball umpire. 

“Ever since my father showed me how to strike that first arc with our old stick welder, I’ve been hooked,” says Eric, who grew up on a farm and began welding at a young age.  By the time he was a junior in high school, Eric was working at Wells Brothers, Inc., in Anna, Ohio. 

“Throughout his employment with us,” says Curt Wells, President of Wells Brothers, “Eric has consistently displayed a remarkable ability to not only cope, but to actually thrive, in high stress situations.” 

“Back in the early 1970’s, my grandfather, Wilfred Leugers, attended Hobart and was asked, along with the rest of his class, to weld on the Alaskan pipeline,” says Eric.  “This kind of opportunity is only something I can dream about!” 

“My job experience has been more than I could ask for,” Eric continues.  “I spend my days doing everything from TIG welding on food grade stainless steel to making stairs and mezzanines, building catwalks, and stick welding on structural steel.  I love being on the job site.”

But even more, Eric wants to learn all he can about welding. 

“I’ve found that I don’t just want to be any welder, but a “Hobart” certified welder!  Wells Brothers has given me a great opportunity to attend the Hobart Institute nine-month [Structural and Pipe Welding] course and I cannot turn this down.”

“Eric’s characteristic to improve is most commendable,” says Jerry Wells, Vice President of Wells Brothers, Inc.  “This and other characteristics, combined with future potential are very valuable to our organization and our interest in developing our staff members.” 

“I see this opportunity as a new opening in my future,” Eric comments, “an opening with more job security, more money, and most of all, more success.  I have been welding on the job sites for over two years.  I know what kind of hard work and commitment it takes to be competitive in this field.  I am ready to take on this challenge and begin the newest chapter of my life.”