National Welding Month Spotlight with Brian Imhulse

For National Welding Month, we talked to Red-D-Arc Welding Product Manager, Brian Imhulse, about his experience in the welding industry, specifically as an underwater welder. 

Brian has been in the industry for nearly two decades and is incredibly skilled at his craft. He attended commercial diving school in 2006 where he quickly discovered his passion for underwater welding, taking his career to exciting new depths. Since then, he has earned several certifications, including his NDT certification (2007), CWI certification (2008), CWE and NCCER Welding Instructor certification (2009), and CWS certification (2014).

In addition to this impressive list of accomplishments, Brian completed his Bachelor of Business from the University of Miami in 2018, and most recently earned his MBA with a specialization in Finance from Louisiana State University in 2023. He also achieved Airgas Technical Community Leader Expert Level 2 status in 2019, and the following year, he served on the American Welding Society Subcommittee on Underwater Welding. Brian believes in the importance of continuous learning as a way to challenge himself and expand on his broad range of skills and knowledge.

Brian has been with Red-D-Arc since 2011 and has played an integral role in the company’s success over the last 13 years. Read on to learn more about Brian’s dynamic experience as a welder and his insights on the future of the welding industry as a whole.

How did you get into welding?

Brian Imhulse (BI): Growing up on a farm, I was surrounded by welding and had the opportunity to refine my skills through vocational agriculture classes and FFA. However, it wasn’t until I attended dive school in 2006 that my abilities caught the attention of others. My first paid welding job took me underwater, where I truly found my calling in underwater welding. After working as a diver for a period, I transitioned into inspection and obtained my CWI certification. Eventually, I found myself back in the dive community, this time running the underwater welding program at a dive school. Now, I’ve found a home at Red-D-Arc, where I’m able to apply my diverse experience and expertise in the welding industry.

What do you love about welding?

BI: There’s just something about working with metal that I find truly captivating. The process of transforming raw metal materials into intricate structures through science and craftsmanship is simply mesmerizing to me. It’s a blend of artistry and engineering, turning basic elements into complex creations that serve vital functions in our daily lives.

What’s your most memorable welding moment?

BI: Welding has truly been an extraordinary journey for me. It’s been my passport to a myriad of experiences, from working on the space crawler at NASA to exploring the inner workings of naval destroyers and nuclear power plants. I’ve even had the opportunity to wield my welding skills underwater as a commercial diver/underwater welder. What’s more, this career has taken me to multiple countries, providing me with invaluable insights and behind-the-scenes tours of various industries around the world. It’s been an adventure unlike any other, offering both professional growth and unforgettable experiences. 

Can you share a fun welding fact?

BI: Welding underwater often attracts sea life. The bright sparks and electromagnetic fields generated during underwater welding can pique the curiosity of marine creatures. Divers/underwater welders may find themselves sharing their workspace with a variety of fascinating sea life, making each dive a unique and memorable experience.

What advice do you have for the next generation of welders? And why would you encourage young people to choose welding as a career path?

BI: You don’t necessarily have to be a welder or remain a welder for your entire career to have a great career in the industry. With shortages in trades, there’s a growing demand for qualified inspectors, educators, engineers, and sales professionals. This shortage underscores the significance of companies like Red-Arc, known for their expertise in equipment. Exploring these diverse roles could offer rewarding career opportunities within the industry.

What changes are you excited about in the industry?

BI: The welding industry, while traditionally resistant to change, is now witnessing a shift with the increasing adoption of weld data recording and technology. I’m particularly intrigued by how the introduction of welding automation, technology and the implementation of welding data monitoring could propel the industry into a new era.  

To learn more about the world of underwatering welding, click here.