Department: 2024 Experts

Ray Connolly

Ray Connolly has 22 years of experience in the field of welding in the aerospace, petrochemical, and power generation industries, and is now a welding engineer for a naval defense contractor. Ray also teaches part-time at Jefferson Community College in Missouri and is an active member of the American Welding Society. Ray’s success at the…
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Robert Hahn

Currently the plumbing and heating instructor at Eastwick College, HoHokus School of Trades, Robert Hahn has been involved in the plumbing industry since the early 1970’s and has watched the industry grow tremendously over the years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Education from Kean University before later earning a Master’s degree…
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Joshua Whittington

Before becoming a professor, Joshua Whittington developed and co-authored the first Mechatronics program in the state of Georgia. After the success of this program, THINC College and Career Academy requested his expertise in their Mechatronics department. Currently, he works for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. “To be selected as an expert is an opportunity to give…
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Tom Wozniak

  Tom Wozniak is an instructor at Madison Area Technical College. He was a SkillsUSA advisor before becoming a WorldSkills expert and is excited to continue to pay it forward and give students an opportunity to be successful in their careers. According to Tom, there are more career openings than students entering the diesel and…
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Greg Beachey

With 30 years in the culinary industry under his belt, Greg Beachey is currently employed by Youthentity. Greg has managed and overseen the SkillsUSA national championship for the past ten years, exemplifying his passion for youth culinary competitions. His experience with these competitions allows him to connect not only with the top young culinarians in…
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Alden “JR” Colvin

  Colvin has been Precision Machining, Quality Control and Advanced Manufacturing instructor/program director at Madison College for the past 22 years and a SkillsUSA advisor for 20 years. Prior to that he worked as a toolmaker for more than 10 years. He also served in the U.S. Army. served as an expert for the WorldSkills…
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James Redd

James Redd believes the WorldSkills competition will show competitors that hard work and dedication really does pay off, and competing will be a lifelong source of pride. James says that he doesn’t believe there is a shortage in skilled laborers, just not enough patience or mentoring of novice tradesmen. He believes the veteran laborer must…
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Mike Elder

Mike Elder has worked on automotive vehicles for as long as he can remember, starting with his father in their home garage. After graduating from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education, he was hired by Unified School District 250 Pittsburg Community Schools to teach high school automotive technology, a…
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