Meet Our Leader: William E. Blum
William E. Blum
Owner, NDT-CGI
Bill leads with over 50 years of experience and nondestructive testing Level III expertise in seven methods. Under his guidance, NDT-CGI delivers top-notch training worldwide, with a strong focus on understanding concepts instead of memorization. Former students’ leadership positions attest to the effectiveness of NDT-CGI’s programs.
Globally recognized NDT authority
Bill boasts an unparalleled career spanning five decades in the NDT field. He holds the prestigious NDT Level III certification in seven different methods, demonstrating his mastery of a comprehensive range of inspection techniques.
Bill’s expertise extends beyond technical proficiency. For 45 years, he has shared his knowledge by instructing NDT professionals, both in the United States and in other countries. His experience includes assignments in Saudi Arabia (5.5 years) and Indonesia (1 year), showcasing his ability to thrive in diverse cultural environments.
Throughout his career, Bill has provided critical NDT and QA/QC services across various industries, including petrochemical, pressure vessels, structural applications, nuclear and fossil power plants, shipping, and even the aerospace sector. This diverse background enables him to tackle any NDT challenge with confidence and expertise.
- USAF – Over 800 hours of NDT training
- USAF – Over 500 hours of Technical Instructor Training
- Fundamentals of Weld Inspection, 16 hrs, AWS, October 1981
- Specialized NDT training from McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics
- Radiation Safety, Gulf X-Ray, 20 hrs, Gretna, LA, September 1989
- Ultrasonic Detection of Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking, Electrical Power Research Institute, Charlotte, NC, August 1993
- Ultrasonic Sizing of IGSCC, EPRI, Charlotte, NC, September 1993
- ASME Section XI, App. VIII, Performance Demonstration Initiative Qualification, Detection and Through Wall Sizing, EPRI, Charlotte NC, April 1994
- Visual Testing 1, 2, and 3, VCR, August 1993
- Correspondence Course in Electronics, ICS, July 1995
- Radiographic Film Interpretation, Saudi ARAMCO, January 1996
- Radiation Safety, Saudi ARAMCO, August 1997
- Project management courses
- ASNT Certified NDT Level III, UT, RT, MT, PT, VT, ET, and MFL, Certificate Number 1225
- NAS410 Level 3 – ET, MT, PT, RT, and UT (Hellier NDT, Houston, TX)
- Level II Thermographer, Infrared Training Center, January 2015
- ASNT IRRSP Radiation Safety Card, RAM, Certification Number 1225 (Expired 2008)
- Louisiana Vocational, Technical, and Industrial Education Certificate, Number T-3536 (Expired)
- Texas Industrial Radiography Card, Number 05768, April 1993 (Expired)
- IGSCC Detection and Sizing, EPRI, August 1993 (Expired)
- PDI Detection and Sizing, EPRI, April 1994
- VT 1, 2, and 3, EPRI, August 1994
- Saudi Aramco Radiographic Film Interpretation (RTFI) Certification (October 1996 Revision)
- Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten) Radiation Protection Expert
- Owner of NDT Consulting Group Inc., Flower Mound, Texas (September 1997–Present) – Provides NDT consulting, administration, auditing, training service, and acts as Responsible Level III to users of NDT (www.ndtleveliii.com).
- September 1997 to 2012 – Served as ASME Section XI, Appendix 7, UT Level III and PDI UT Level II at various nuclear power plants for contract companies; performed reviews of in-service inspection data; performed ultrasonic examination of piping and pressure vessels.
- NDT Level III and former partner in AlfaTest AB, Helsingborg, Sweden. AlfaTest provides NDT services to the marine and petrochemical industry.
- NDT Level III (September 1995–September 1997) Tuboscope Vetco Saudi Arabia, LTD/Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) – Assisted Saudi Aramco in providing NDT Level III services; reviewed NDT procedures submitted by outside vendors (conducted over 880 reviews on more than 465 individual procedures submitted by 103 different organizations throughout the world); wrote NDT procedures for internal use at Saudi Aramco; audited vendors and NDT vendor organizations; reviewed and analyzed NDT reports; provided specialized technical support to autonomous units; consulted with field supervisors and advised on implementation and use of various NDT methods; wrote, administered and oversaw certification examinations; critiqued training courses; provided input on and justifications for equipment purchases; interpreted codes and specifications; coordinated work assignments between the NDT Labs and customers; interpreted radiographic film; performed specialized UT, e.g., depth sizing; interfaced with contract companies and autonomous units as one of Saudi Aramco’s NDT Level III Specialists. Member of Saudi Aramco NDT Advisory Committee.
- NDT Instructor, NDT Level III/Techinician (July 1993–September 1995) Virginia Corporation of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia – Researched, organized, developed, and wrote UT training materials and conducted UT training in accordance with ASME Section XI, Appendix VII; performed NDT of nuclear and fossil power plant components. Company certified to Level III in PT and MT. Certified to Level II UT in accordance with ASME Section XI, Appendix VII. EPRI qualified for manual detection and sizing of IGSCC. EPRI qualified Level I and II, Visual Examination. Qualified ASME Section VIII, PDI Detection and Sizing, EPRI, April 1994.
- NDT Consultant (December 1992–July 1993) – Provided consulting and training services to various companies involved in the manufacture of pressure vessels, aircraft parts, etc.
- NDT Technical Advisor (November 1991–December 1992) General Dynamics/Ft. Worth Division, Madiun, Indonesia – Advised and trained Indonesian Air Force personnel in the theory and application of NDT methods and procedures.
- NDT Consultant (May 1990 –November 1991) – Provided consulting and training services to various companies involved in the manufacture of pressure vessels, aircraft parts, etc.
- NDT Instructor (September 1989–August 1990) New Orleans Regional Technical Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana – Trained students in the theory and application of NDT methods and procedures in accordance with ASME, API, ASTM, ANSI, and ABS codes. Training included courses such as Level I and II for RT, UT, MT, PT, and ET; Welding Processes; Radiation Safety; Radiographic Film Interpretation; Ultrasonic Testing of Weldments; and Introduction to Certified Welding Inspector. State certified to conduct Radiation Safety Training and to possess and use radioactive isotopes. Radiation Safety Officer.
- NDT Technical Advisor (December 1986–June 1989) McDonnell Douglas Services, King Fahd Air Base, Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia – Advised and trained Royal Saudi Air Force personnel in the theory and application of NDT methods.
- NDT Technician, Civil Service (September 1985–December 1986) Luke Air Force Base, Arizona – Performed NDT on various military aircraft, engines, and parts; conducted training.
- NDT Technician/Shop Chief (August 1979–Sep 1985) Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Illinois – Set up the NDT lab as the ILANG converted to jet aircraft; responsible for all aspects of the NDT shop operation. Performed NDT.
- NDT Instructor (October 1976–August 1979) United States Air Force, Chanute AFB, Illinois – Conducted NDT training for USAF personnel; wrote training material.
- NDT Technician (August 1973–October 1976) United States Air Force, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho – Trained in and performed NDT of military aircraft, engines, and parts.