About Us
Our mission
At AWL, our mission is to provide excellence in education and workforce development by training the next generation of skilled welders and fabricators. We are dedicated to preparing professionals to meet the industry's demands and to making quality learning accessible to all.
Meet our team
Danny Cobb
​
Lead Instructor/Co-Owner
Danny Cobb is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector and Educator (CWI/CWE) with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including gas-fired power plants and global drilling operations.
​
As Manager of Welding Operations at Pruitt, a Managed Pressure Drilling Company, Danny oversaw manufacturing and inspection processes for drilling equipment and aided in the development of a quality management system adhering to API Q1/ISO 9001 standards. This experience shaped his commitment to quality, safety, and environmental standards, which he brings to AWL.
​
Driven by a passion for teaching, Danny transitioned to academia, serving as a Welding Instructor at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. After witnessing the high costs and unnecessary red tape often associated with welding programs at traditional colleges and universities, he co-founded AWL to deliver high-quality, affordable training that is accessible to everyone.
​
Danny’s extensive 30-year network with local manufacturers ensures exceptional job placement opportunities for AWL graduates. A dedicated community leader, he regularly participates in charity events and serves on multiple boards, including as Chairman of the Fort Smith Adult Education Advisory Board and a member of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District Local Workforce Board.
Cory Guadagno
Welding Instructor
Cory brings a wealth of experience to the table as the former Production Manager at Qual Serv, overseeing a workforce of 35 + employees engaged in welding and robotic welding operations. With a tenure that spans over five years, he played a pivotal role in testing and training welders within his shop.
Additionally, as another former University of Arkansas Welding Instructor, he gained extensive expertise in welding education.
​
With over 14 years of experience in the industry, this makes Cory a him a highly knowledgeable asset to any team
DeWayne "Peanut" Hensley
Welding Instructor
Peanut possesses an extensive reservoir of expertise, boasting over three decades of experience in combination pipe welding. With a background encompassing both union and non-union environments, he offers invaluable insights from diverse perspectives to our students.
Having held positions such as weld boss on numerous pipelines and serving as a Welding Instructor at Kiamichi Tech- Poteau, Peanut has demonstrated his exceptional proficiency and leadership in the field.
​
​
Jake Robinson
Welding Instructor
Jake brings 14 years of exceptional experience as a class A combo Welder, with a proven track record of industry accomplishments.
His expertise includes serving as a Senior Welding Instructor at Tulsa Welding School, where he mentored and trained 40 to 60 students daily.
​
Jake is a certified 6G GTAW/SMAW combo Pipe welder through the state of Oklahoma and holds a teaching license through Strata Tech, making him a tremendous asset to our students and programs
Will Merwin
Weld Lab Technician
Will has been honing his craft since the age of 13, initially apprenticing under his stepfather in his ornamental iron business. There he contributed to the fabrication of intricately designed iron gates and fences eventually transitioning into subcontracting for the U.S. military where he undertook specialized projects, demonstrating his expertise in the construction of missile launcher and firearms racks.
As the Weld Lab Technician, Will holds a host of responsibilities ranging from assisting Instructors and maintaining equipment to keeping inventory records and managing safety expectations.
Angela Cobb
Administrator/Co-Owner
Angela oversees all administrative facets of the school, leveraging over two decades of comprehensive experience in administrative duties spanning general office management, billing and IT operations. With this expertise at her disposal, Angela stands ready to assist in various domains including admissions, registration, scheduling, financial inquiries and course-related matters.
Angela is also deeply committed to giving back to her community through her involvement in numerous charitable organizations. She serves as a member on the 100 Families Alliance Committee and is frequently found organizing food and gift drives, volunteering, or contributing to various local nonprofit organizations.