WE Colloquium--Ernest Levert, The Orion Space Program from a Production Perspective – Welding Engineering

Topic

This presentation will provide an “Overview of the Orion Launch Abort System”.  I will also cover a few Welding Engineering Projects over my 50 years of experiences in the welding industry.

Video link

Mr. Levert's presentation will be held via Zoom:

Monday, 8/31, 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST

Zoom link: https://osu.zoom.us/j/99761593839?pwd=T285NTNlb1JOK01oeXhRc3J0aS9tUT09

Password: 900467

Bio

Ernest D. Levert, Lockheed Martin Fellow (Rocket Scientist) for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Dallas, Texas. He works in the Production Engineering Department as the corporate welding engineering and materials joining subject matter expert. Some of the programs he supports include the International Space Station, Joint Strike Fighter Program, Advanced Missile Programs, Atlas Space Vehicle, and the Space Shuttle program. Mr. Levert has over forty years of welding experience in the aerospace and defense industries. He received his Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering from The Ohio State University and currently enjoys a position as an Ohio State University College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni. Mr. Levert is an internationally recognized Welding Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME) who specializes in Power Beam Technologies (Laser and Electron Beam Welding). For the past thirty-three years, he has singularly written procedures and developed policies and processes that provide essential structural integrity and allow verifiable and secure access to foreign markets for many Lockheed Martin products. As a result of his innovative solutions, he has helped to put Lockheed Martin in the forefront of welding sciences.

Development of young professionals is his personal passion. As founding Chairman of the Young Leaders Task Group (TG-YL), Mr. Levert has been successful in developing, leading, coordinating and promoting the effort to increase the attendance and participation of young professionals at IIW Annual Assemblies. To help bridge the gap between the young professionals and IIW leadership, the Sunday afternoon Icebreakers help build relationships between YPs and Commission Chairs, IIW Board and IAB Board members, and each other. The YP's Tuesday evening social event encourages participation and the forming of strong, global friendships within the IIW. The Passport program has encouraged attendance at Working Unit meetings and to meet the WU chairs. The International Young Professionals Conference in Welding completed their fifth year in 2019, where participants advance their knowledge and understanding of welding and form a network. Mr. Levert is investigating the feasibility of IIW student chapters at the college/university level, engaging these students in the career path dialogue for future industrial and academic materials-joining careers, and allowing corporate partners access to these students. He mentors YPs by providing exposure to career opportunities within the IIW network, and grooms them into future IIW leaders, a key to IIW’s future with a young professional pipeline.

Mr. Levert's mentorship includes introducing youth to welding as a skill and career choice. He was a key member of the AWS Task Group that collaborated with Boy Scouts of America to develop the Welding Merit Badge. Over 76,000 scouts have earned this badge, many to become welding professionals. On a global level, 45,000 scouts from around the world were introduced to welding by Mr. Levert and his welding team members at the 2019 World Scouting Jamboree.

In addition to his leadership of TG-YL, Mr. Levert has served IIW for 20 years as a USA Delegate, as Chairman of Commission IV, as a member of the Technical Management Board, as a member of the Working Group Regional Activities, and as a Director on the IIW Board of the Directors. As Chairman of C-IV-B Electron Beam Welding, he was instrumental in establishing the bi-annual International Electron Beam Welding Conference, a partnership between AWS, DVS and IIW. This conference successfully fulfills its mission to revitalize the EBW IIW Community.