Team
Joel Girard, P. Eng.
President, METEX Experts-Conseils Inc.
Mr. Girard graduated from Laval University with a degree in Civil/Structural Engineering. He founded METEX Consulting Inc. in 2010, where he serves as President and Principal Engineer.
Previously, he held roles as Operations Manager and Welding Engineer in Quebec and Western Canada. His expertise includes welding procedures (CWB, AWS, ASME), QA manuals, structural design, technical support, and coordination of special projects.
He also worked as Welding Product Manager at Air Liquide Canada, specializing in submerged arc welding, aluminum, stainless steel, and specialty alloys.
He joined Lincoln Electric in 1992, where he conducted numerous seminars and participated in cost-reduction projects. In 1996, he became Sales and Technical Manager for Canada at Böhler Thyssen Welding, expanding his expertise in nickel alloys, stainless steels, and industries such as offshore and power generation.
Martine Boudreault, Director of Operations
Partner, METEX Experts-Conseils Inc.
Ms. Boudreault holds a degree in Business Administration from UQAM, following technical training in production management. She worked for several years in production and quality control for various manufacturers in Quebec and Ontario.
She then worked as a sales representative in Toronto, developing the Quebec market in the printing industry, before founding her own distribution and manufacturing company.
In 2010, she co-founded METEX Experts-Conseils with Joel Girard and obtained her Level 1 Welding Inspector certification. Today, she serves as a project manager, responsible for certifications and the administrative aspects of the business.
Maëlle Girard, Technical and administrative coordinator
CSA W178.2 Level 1 Welding Inspector / Engineering Student
Maëlle Girard completed Level 1 visual welding inspection training while simultaneously pursuing her engineering studies at Université Laval. With her extensive technical and administrative experience, she holds the position of Technical and Administrative Coordinator at METEX Experts-Conseils.
She has worked at the company for several years, where she is involved in project monitoring and technical file management. She also contributes to customer satisfaction and supports efforts to improve daily productivity.
André Bellemare
CSA 178.2 Level III Welding Inspector
In 1973, Mr. Bellemare began a two-year welding program, after which he worked as a welder-fitter in metal fabrication. He contributed to various projects, including hydroelectric dams, industrial mechanics, pressure and storage tanks, marine loading equipment, and steel structures.
Certified as a Welding Supervisor by the CWB in 1986, he developed a strong interest in quality assurance, leading him to work in consulting engineering. In 1993, he became a Level 3 Welding Inspector (CSA W178.2) and also obtained Level 2 certifications in non-destructive testing (PT and MT).
Ken Johnston
CSA W178.2, Level III and AWS certified inspector. Red Seal & high-pressure vessel welder
Mr. Johnston has 39 years of experience in the welding industry. He began his training in Alberta in 1978 through a Welder Apprenticeship program and obtained his Class A Pressure Welding certification.He then worked for nearly 20 years across various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, pipelines, industrial facilities, and pipe fabrication.
In 1999, he became a Level III Welding Inspector (CSA W178.2) with multiple code qualifications (CSA and ASME), and later obtained AWS CWI and CWE certifications.
He worked for 8 years with the Canadian Welding Bureau as a Certification Representative, serving as an auditor, trainer, and supervisor for welder and procedure qualifications.
In 2009, he founded his own company specializing in welding training, inspection, and program development, including in the railway sector.
Jean-Marc Dubé
Welding Technician
Starting in 1997, he taught welding, including fitting and high-pressure welding, and later became Head of the Metallurgy Department at a vocational training center. For nearly 20 years, he has also managed a welder qualification center.
He began his career at Air Liquide Canada in 1978, gaining solid experience in fabrication, inspection, formulation, and certification of filler metals according to international standards. He later held roles in technical support, training, and welding process optimization.
Over the years, he developed expertise in the distribution of welding products and services, contributed to the creation of technical tools, and participated in the development of a virtual welding simulator.
Marc Fontaine
Specialist in welding and optimization
He began in 1988 in quality assurance and welding, implementing quality systems and certifications (ASME, CWB), including welder qualification. In 1991, he became Director of Metallurgy, Welding, and Construction for a consulting group, continuing the implementation of these standards.
Since 1993, he has worked as a welding specialist in the distribution of gases and equipment, providing technical support, process optimization, and solving complex welding issues. He has also developed and delivered recognized training programs, as well as health and safety and welding technical programs.