On 11 July 2010, David Fink, manager, Compliance Engineering for Lincoln Electric, was honoured as a recipient of the Thomas Medal at the International Institute of Welding (IIW) Annual Assembly and International Conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Mr Fink, working in the welding industry for nearly 40 years and active with the American Welding Society (AWS) technical committees for almost 35 years, was recognized for his work with the IIW and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). He is currently the chair of the US Technical Advisory Group for ISO/TC 44/SC 3 – Welding Consumables. Recipients of the Thomas Medal are evaluated and selected by a panel based on their degree of personal involvement in IIW work, contributions to and promotion of international standardization in the field of welding, willingness and ability to lecture on global studies leading to the standardization of welding technology and leadership demonstrated through their work.