Onaway, MI—The Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) has announced the keynote speaker for the 24th cohort of students graduating from its Comprehensive Industrial Welding and Fabrication Program. Matt Waligora, a veteran, former Alpena, Michigan’s mayor, and CEO of Sunrise Fencing, LLC will address the graduates. The Industrial Arts Institute graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, December 13th, 2024.
Matt Waligora was raised in Leer, MI, from the age of two and graduated from Alpena High School. Nine days after graduation, farming was his only work experience, so he left for Navy boot camp. He spent 11 ½ years as a Submarine Sonar Technician on three different boats in Charleston, South Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia. His last three years of service were spent as a Master Instructor of Underwater Acoustics and Submarine Tactics.
He then returned to Alpena and worked at several jobs including construction, welding, radiator repair, hydro-electric dam operator, and paper mill laborer, with no clear professional career path in mind.
At 35, he completed a two-year CAD program at ACC and was hired as their first draftsperson at Panel Processing. When he left there after 15 years, he was the Corporate Quality Control Manager of eleven manufacturing plants in nine locations throughout the country. During that time, he worked for a fence installation company on the side and was also elected mayor of Alpena. In his last nine months at Panel Processing, he purchased Sunrise Fencing LLC from the original owner. When he found it too challenging to do all three, he chose to stay with the two he enjoyed the most. After 12 years as Mayor, he resigned in December of 2023.
Matt enjoys almost every outdoor activity in all four seasons and traveling to new destinations with his fiancé.
The Executive Director of Industrial Arts Institute, Tamara Ward, expressed her pleasure at having Matt Waligora as the keynote speaker. She said, “Matt is an inspiring individual, and I look forward to his message to our graduating welders.”
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 offers a premier comprehensive welding program that prepares students for successful and rewarding careers in the industry. Enrollment for the next Comprehensive Industrial Welding Course is open now, and the class will begin on January 6th, 2025.
The Industrial Arts Institute aims to develop and ensure a noble workforce by combining innovative education with time-honored training to connect talent with professional skilled trades industries. For more information, visit iaiworks.com.
IAI Media Contact – Tamara Ward / Executive Director –tward@iaiworks.com – 989-733-4369