Meet The Team
Founder & President
Joey aka Mullet Man
I am a full time welding instructor, part business owner, husband and father. I want to keep the welding industry growing and growing. I grew up in a small town in Wyoming where handshakes are signed contracts and actions speak louder than words. Growing up I didn’t always have the means to chase my dreams, in turn I worked harder to get there. In saying that I did have help along the way. Even the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference, but so many people this day in age do not always have the means to chase their dreams. So I created this foundation and surrounded myself by the best in the business. From welders of all walks of life and across this Great Nation. This is my way of paying back to all the help that was given to me, and to instill in anyone that you can make it in the greatest industry in the world.
Motto; “If you’re burning, Your learning”
Executive Director & Register Agent
My name is Kayte. Joey, my 2 beautiful children, and I live in Moorhead, MN.
I’m a person that wears a ton of different hats. I’m a stay at home mom, a PCA for my child with special needs, a wife, a business owner, a Family Peer Specialist, and a supporter of my husband’s dreams. Growing up I was always taught to be kind and help others if you are able. The Hooded Heroes Foundation is just one of my many ways of paying it forward.
I don’t really know a lot about welding nor would I call myself a welder. But I do know and understand the basics and I can strike an arc. I also plan on continuing to learn. We have a lot of fun as a family as Joey teaches the kids and me how to weld.
Motto: “Believe in yourself even when no one else does. If someone tells you that you can’t do it, prove them wrong.”
Vice President
Beau aka Misfit Welder
Conroe, TX
39 years old, Married to the greatest woman for 10 years. and dad to 4 crazy kids. I’ve a Structural, mig/flux, welder/fitter for the last 18 years and I finally enrolled back in school to learn tig welding. I enjoy hanging with the family. I’m in this because I believe in it, we should never stop learning or helping others learn. My motto is “goonies never say die.”
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Treasurer
My name is Joey Pachak and currently reside in a small town North of Fargo ND. I have been welding for BNSF Railway since earning an Associate’s Degree in Welding Technology from Cowley College in 2005. I have worked in all 28 states BNSF operates in, all while raising 2 boys and a daughter with my wife of 21 years. I also own and operate a small welding business.
I am honored to be on the Board of The Hooded Heroes Foundation. It is a blessing to have had many people help me throughout my welding journey and I am excited to give back. I know what a hand up can do when you really need it.
Secretary
My name is Staci Sour Martinez, I reside in Sioux Falls, SD. Being a dual trades woman and an advocate for multiple trades, I've built a life I absolutely love. I find myself breaking barriers and challenging myself to live a life without fear. As a woman welder, I find it absolutely liberating and I'm so thankful for this trade. Creating metal art is my passion and I get to do it for a living. My goal is to inspire and chase away the fears that other women might have about entering the trades and show them the many ways it can benefit them. There are a few core values I've picked up as a Fitness coach that I incorporate into everying I do; drive change, exceed expectations, create hope, and last but not least, build community.
My hobbies are weight lifting, pushing my limits, fishing, kayaking or anything outdoors. I love absolutely love nature, my friends call me Irwin!
I'm hardworking, determined and driven!
Motto: "I don't want to waste my life not living..."
Board Member
My Name is Jason Sasaki, I live in the beautiful Greers Ferry Lake area of Arkansas. I have been a pipe welder since 2002. After my service in the Army as a Chemical Operation Specialist I decided to learn a trade that I could use for life. I made the best decision for me and that was to become a pipe welder. For over 20 years I have had the opportunity to see the nation and build some amazing things. I love the trade and all that goes with it. I am thankful that I have been an instructor at Arkansas Elite Welding Academy and Western Welding Academy and have had the opportunity to share knowledge and help develop skills in those wishing to learn. I live by the motto “Iron sharpens Iron” Now I am back in the field and use my spare time volunteering to build the trade and support blue collar men and women.
Board Member
My name is Mitchell Moore.
My wife of 7 years and I and 2 kids live in Vancouver Washington.
I started with welding classes during high school and have continued that journey ever since for 10 years. My first welding job was producing $50+ million yachts then moved to building NAVY Seal aluminum boats and am now a full time production TIG welder in the medical industry. I have always been eager to learn, and help others.
I am honored to be a part of The Hooded Heroes Foundation and to be able to aid ones that are in need of a "hand up."
Board Member
My name is Ian Freeman I'm from small town Oklahoma. My wife and I are small business owners dealing mainly with farm repair and small fabrication.
At 13 years old, my grandfather, who was a pipe hand in our local refinery, started teaching me the trade. With that I've been welding for over twenty years 13 of that being in the oil and gas industry. I'm now an instructor at a technology center, a CWI and a supporter of the trades.
I was happy to join in the Hooded Heroes mission because I love this industry and want everyone to have a chance to live their dreams. Welding has opened so many doors for me and I look forward to helping it do the same for others.
Board Member
My name is Sara Impaglia and I live in the suburbs of Syracuse, NY! Married for 2 years and stay at home Mom to a 1-year-old little girl.
I struggled with addiction for a long time. Eventually my bad choices caught up to me and I was sentenced to serve 5 years in state prison. It was there that I was introduced to welding for the first time, and I fell in love with it. After my release I put myself through trade school and after that got a job as a full-time welder. I worked making industrial laundry equipment for nearly a decade. Welding has brought so much good into my life and has opened a lot of doors for me. I now have over 11 years in recovery. I like to say that welding was the glue that held my life together for a long time. I quit my job after my daughter was born but remain active in the welding community.
My hobbies include gardening, canning, making my own cleaning & hygiene products & living a low tox life. We have 3 beautiful dogs, live on the lake and like to spend lot of time outdoors!
My goal is to show other felons and addicts that recovery and a life filled with happiness and passion is possible with hard work and dedication. Your past does not have to hinder your future. I also strive to be a role model for other women who may be interested in the trades and hope my story may inspire others.
Board Member
Hi Yall! My name is Garrett Coursey, aka TheWeldinOkie.
I’m married with 5 children. When I first started in the welding industry I was hired as a grinder. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more, my supervisor said if I can pass a welding test, they would promote me as an entry welder. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and practiced on breaks for 3 weeks, before passing the test.
This is how I got started because I am a big believer in what’s your why? Why are you doing things? Above is my why. This took me across the United States in my relentless approach to always get better, learn something new, and perfect my craft.
When I was working as a fabricator/welder for a few years, I struggled because I am always striving to get better and move forward and I felt stagnant. I decided to start Instagram and use that as some new motivation to help reach others and show the passion and love in what I do. Also I decided to try my hand at tig art and have been doing it for 2 years.
Currently I am thesocial media manager and host for weld.com. I know first-hand how online presence and people willing to take the time to teach what works for them in a video format and being able to take that and apply it to how it works for you, has changed my life. I feel it’s not only my pleasure but my obligation to give back the knowledge I’ve learned along the way through my trials and errors the same way it was provided to me.
I guess my point in all that is to never accept where you are currently and always look for a way to improve, and polish your craft. While growing as a person. And remember, only through failure, can we find out how great we can become.