Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16Career Opportunities in Piping for Transitioning Veterans | Fall/Winter 2016 13 Ryan Lopez “I was a mechanic and welder in the Army Reserves for nine years out of Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. I worked on vehicles. I’m now a fourth-year ap- prentice with Local 208 in Denver, CO. Denver is where I wanted to live after completing the VIP Welding program. I had to learn to pipe weld, which is very different from the welding that I did. Positioning to do different welds was a challenge for me. After the program, I definitely felt prepared. I have worked a lot at Colorado State University and at various hospitals and schools. I am currently working on an office building completing the heating and cooling and refrigeration systems. I love what I’m doing. It’s not monot- onous at all. My job changes with every jobsite.” – Ryan Lopez