Bob Derby completed his Steamfitter apprenticeship at Local 174, West Michigan, in 1998. He began teaching welding as a part-time instructor in 1999 and had the honor of helping to set up his local’s training center as an Authorized Testing Facility for the UA Welder Certification Program, becoming the first ATR for Local 174. During his career, Bob was given the opportunity to serve in leadership as a foreman, general foreman, superintendent, and project manager. When given the opportunity to serve as a full-time instructor at Local 174, he gladly accepted. That role led to the position of training director for the local. He earned the credentials of AWS-CWI in 2006 and served many QA/QC rolls for local contractors and Local 174 thereafter. In 2012, Bob began teaching ATR and CWI courses for the UA, regionally and at Instructor Training Program. He continued teaching part-time until fall 2021, when he became a training specialist for the United Association International Training Fund.