Miller Electric Mfg. Co. announces winners of Welding Hero contest

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has announced the results of live online voting at millerwelds.com for the "Nominate a Hero" promotion. After more than 11,000 online votes were cast, three welders have been voted the winners of the everyday welding heroes in the campaign. The winners include a 70-year-old grandmother, a contractor keeping the military fleet safe in Afghanistan, and a former corporate manager who chose to become a welder.

Kay Minto, Eagleville, Calif., was nominated by her son Tyler. TIG welding for 18 years, the 70-year-old grandmother creates internationally shown welded art and is also a teacher and mentor to younger welders.

Carl Offenbacher works with a contractor in Afghanistan assisting with the U.S. military fleet, keeping the armed vehicles safe and on the road with Force Protection. Nominated by his daughter Annie, Carl also is an active welder in his hometown of Jacksonville, Ore.

Steven George quit his corporate job to move to Fairbanks, Alaska, and become a welder. According to his friend and nominator, Ulf Jonsson, George quickly made a name for himself as a meticulous and quality-conscious welder.

"This is very special for Miller to be able to recognize these three individuals, chosen by the fans of Miller on MillerWelds.com," said Vickie Rhiner, brand manager at Miller. "While all three are experienced welders, they have diverse backgrounds and great stories that represent that range of welding and the great opportunity welding provides for a career."

These three welders and their nominators will be treated to a Hero’s event at the Miller headquarters in Appleton in September. They will tour the worldwide headquarters of Miller as well as receive prize packages of welding equipment and safety gear.