Onaway, MI— The Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) is pleased to announce that Randy Norris, Corporate Sales Manager at Purity Cylinder Gases and valued IAI Board Member, has been selected as the keynote speaker for the Cohort 26 graduation of the Comprehensive Industrial Welding and Fabrication Program. The ceremony will be held on Friday, December 12th, 2025.
Randy serves as Corporate Sales Manager for Purity Cylinder Gases—an 87-year-old regional leader in industrial, medical, specialty, and cryogenic gases with more than 225 employees across 17 locations in Michigan and Indiana. He oversees a high-performing team of 35 welding industry professionals and brings over 25 years of specialized experience supporting organizations across the manufacturing, industrial, research, and public sectors. His client partnerships include companies such as J.R. Automation, Bradford White, Grand Design RV, General Motors, Ford, and Norfolk Southern, as well as institutions including the Van Andel Institute, the State of Michigan, and numerous colleges, universities, and hospitals.
A respected voice in the national welding and gases space, Randy has delivered presentations across the country, including at the Dallas Cowboys Training Complex, and for organizations such as the Independent Welding Distributors Cooperative, Purity Plus Specialty Gases, and the Buying and Information Group. His industry expertise has been featured in Gasworld, an international publication serving the global gases market. Alongside his corporate leadership, he is deeply committed to developing the next generation of welding professionals—supporting students, technical sales teams, and emerging industry leaders. He currently serves on multiple educational advisory boards, is an active member of the IAI Board of Directors, and sits on Distribution Councils for Miller Electric and Hypertherm, advising their executive teams.
IAI’s Executive Director, Tamara Ward, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming keynote, stating:
“Randy’s industry experience and unwavering commitment to cultivating tomorrow’s workforce align directly with the values we champion at IAI. His message will empower our graduates as they enter a high-demand field, and we are truly excited to welcome him to the Cohort 26 commencement stage.”
The Industrial Arts Institute is licensed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), a Veteran Approved Training Facility, and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It delivers a premier comprehensive welding program designed to equip students for sustainable, high-value careers in the skilled trades. Enrollment for the next Comprehensive Industrial Welding Course is currently open, with the next class beginning January 26th, 2026.
The Industrial Arts Institute remains committed to cultivating a strong skilled trades workforce by combining innovative instruction with rigorous, hands-on training to align talent with Michigan’s industrial sectors.
For more information, visit iaiworks.com.
IAI Media Contact – Tamara Ward / Executive Director –tward@iaiworks.com – 989-733-4369