FAST Global Solutions Production Manager Andy Carman credits 25 years at the Auburn facility, a hands-on upbringing, and strong local educators for shaping daughter Aubrey’s award-winning welding career.
AUBURN, Neb. – Andy Carman has spent 25 years on the floor of FAST Global Solutions’ Auburn facility, moving from welder to instructor to Production Manager. His daughter Aubrey grew up watching him work.
Now she’s building a name of her own.
Aubrey Carman is currently enrolled in the welding program at Highland Community College in Belleville, Kansas, where she has placed second in SkillsUSA Welding Sculpture competitions at the college level and earned recognition across FFA district and state events in Nebraska. Her work, which blends technical precision with an artist’s eye, has drawn comparisons to sculpture as much as manufacturing.
“She’ll have her pick of companies wanting to hire her right out of college,” Andy said. “All you want is for your children to be successful and happy. I feel she is very well on her way.”
The path started early. Aubrey was around nine or ten years old the first time she tried welding, tagging along to one of her father’s classes. She took to it immediately.
“The first time we got to welding and learned the basics, I was hooked,” Aubrey said.
Her high school experience at Johnson-Brock Schools helped cement that interest. Metals shop and FFA teacher Ashton Bohling, who has worked alongside Andy Carman for more than 15 years to develop strong welding programs in local schools, was a formative influence. Bohling’s program earned a $50,000 Harbor Freight grant and regularly brings in industry professionals to give students a real-world look at manufacturing careers.
“Aubrey was extremely fortunate to have Ashton as a role model,” Andy said.
Andy’s connection to the Auburn community runs deep. He first encountered FAST Global Solutions through the welding classes he taught for Southeast Community College in Falls City, where he met many of the company’s welders and learned about its employee-ownership model.
“One thing that really stood out to me was that FAST is an employee-owned company with an ESOP,” Andy said. “When FAST purchased this facility and brought us on board, that was something I was truly excited about.”
Two and a half decades later, he’s still there. “This truly is my work family,” he said. “Many of us have been together for most, if not all, of our professional lives.” Andy regularly speaks to students and parents about manufacturing careers, and his message is consistent: encourage kids to explore hands-on skills early, even if they don’t plan to make it a career. “Life doesn’t always go as planned,” he said. “Many people end up in manufacturing later in life, even if they started somewhere else. These skills open doors.”
Aubrey is already walking through them. With welding demand rising nationwide, she sees a future full of possibility. “My long-term goal is to be successful in the trade and more knowledgeable about the science behind welding,” she said. “What excites me most is the career opportunities.”
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About FAST Global Solutions: A world leader in airline, air cargo and material handling equipment for over 45 years, FAST Global Solutions designs, builds, installs and services an expansive portfolio of robust, ruggedly-built, dependable equipment for today’s global commerce operations.