GTS graduate Kevin Henderson joined our staff in the Fall of 2024. A Cherokee County native, Kevin served in the United States Marine Corps providing fire support for infantry units on combat patrols in Afghanistan. Kevin also trained and integrated Afghan and Iraqi police and armies. Additionally, Mr. Henderson supported UN security efforts during visits to Palestinian refugee camps and on the Syrian border with Iraq. Following seven distinguished years in the service, Kevin began a career as a first responder, working as an emergency medical technician. In 2018, Kevin decided to pursue a career in welding, attended Georgia Trade School and spent the next five years in the field working first in the rail car industry and later fabricating structural columns and I beams for gas stations and travel centers including RaceTrac and Love’s. The largest welding projects Kevin worked on were for Amazon and Ace Hardware distribution centers. Kevin resides in Acworth and sells merchandise at concert venues throughout Metro Atlanta.

Where did you grow up?
Woodstock, GA

Why did you choose GTS?
Because of the focus on skills and blueprint reading and it does not require core classes. I liked how the program is driven by industry and offers flexible schedules for working students.

What did you do professionally after graduation?
I worked at Trinity Rail as a fitter, doing repair work on rail car components. Later I worked at Paradise Fabrication building and installing commercial and residential handrails.

What certifications do you have?
FCAW 3G, 4G, SMAW 3G, GMAW

Best advice you ever received?
Complacency kills

If you could have dinner with three historical figures, who would you choose?
Sir John Harington, Abraham Lincoln, and Geoff Rowley

Favorite genre of music?
Heavy Metal

It is a beautiful day in Atlanta, what are you going to do?
On a stream in the mountains

Favorite thing to do in Acworth?
Fishing Lake Allatoona

Most Memorable Welding Project?
Jefferson Mill, the Ace Hardware Distribution Center in Jefferson, GA that is one of the largest castellated beam projects in history.

I am a new student what should I do to be successful at GTS?
Be on time, work hard and stay motivated