SWUGN Group Leader Spotlight – Joe Lance

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Since 1996, SOLIDWORKS User Groups have been a valuable resource for SOLIDWORKS users all over the world.  The SWUGN Committee and DS SOLIDWORKS provide ample support, but the real stars are the SOLIDWORKS User Group Leaders. Every week or so we’ll spotlight one of our group leaders and the local user group chapter that they are responsible for leading.

Joe Lance – Houston SOLIDWORKS User Group

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I’ve met a lot of wonderful people over the years through my involvement with the SOLIDWORKS Community, and Joe Lance is one of them.  Joe is very personable, friendly, helpful, and full of passion for SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD and the SOLIDWORKS Community.  I met Joe back in the late nineties when we used to hold a small user conference in Austin.  Joe and his “crew” would drive up every year to help support the event and to learn with the rest of the attendees.  He’s also a regular at SOLIDWORKS World, so if you get the chance to attend next year, put Joe on your list of must-meet people.

Who are you and what do you do?

Joe N. Lance… I live in the Weston Lakes, Texas (suburban’s of Houston, West of Katy, TX) which was once the country… the city is approaching fast… problem is if I move any further west I’ll be in San Antonio, Texas. Hobbies include: travel, biking, running marathons and keeping active in the gym.

I work for Halliburton as a Principle Mechanical Technologist in the Wireline and Perforating PS for over 33 years… and with more than 38 years of related experience whose job role directly impacts the viability and its quality of service of the final product (19 of those years have been using SOLIDWORKS).

When did you first start learning/using SOLIDWORKS?

I first started using SOLIDWORKS in 1996… I was one of the first groups to be trained at Halliburton in Houston office.

Tell us a little about your SOLIDWORKS User Group.

Houston! The fourth most populous city in the United States and It is the principal of its metropolitan area Greater Houston, which is the fifth most populated metropolitan area in the United States. And with that size and diversity HOUSUG has the huge growth potential… that I’m looking forward to.

Are you the founder of the group?

Kevin Duane, also a Halliburton employee was the founder of the Houston SOLIDWORKS User Group (HOUSUG).  I was one of the first members of the group and very involved from the beginning. After Kevin was promoted to a different PSL, HOUSUG changed hands through several leaders until Nicole Walden and I agree to co-lead it in 2006.  Nicole has since moved on the lead the Chattanooga Valley SOLIDWORKS User Group.

What as the best meeting you’ve had?

This would be a tie between our first meeting with Richard Doyle and my very good friend Jeff Ray, and the December 6, 2011 meeting where Wayne Tiffany, the King of Sheet Metal came to present.  Wayne’s passion for the SOLIDWORKS Community was unparalleled, he has truly been missed.

What have you learned personally from your User Group?

I have learned that you can learn from the most advance user or the newest user… and that everyone has something to show.  The networking that users bring to the community is infinite!

How many users are in the group?

We have a contact list of approximately 375 attendees.

Why should people attend a SOLIDWORKS User Group meeting?

Where else can you go and get this kind of valuable information that can increase your productivity and possibly your pay and a good meal for free (smile)? Plus, this is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the local SOLIDWORKS Community – what better way to give back to the community!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Richard Doyle! Need I say anymore?  We (the Halliburton gang of Santiago Laverde, Greg Obets, Duane Hemphill) would drive up to Austin (Central Texas SOLIDWORKS User Group in 1999) on a Sunday evening to attend the three days conference… we really thought he was working for SOLIDWORKS… come to find out he was just one of us that had a really strong passion for what he was doing… this story can go on for pages and pages… but as you know the rest is history….

Thanks Joe (and thanks for the kind words).  We’ll see you in Dallas at SOLIDWORKS World.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Doyle

Richard Doyle

My official title is Senior User Advocacy & SolidWorks User Groups - but most people just call me "The User Group Guy". I've been a SolidWorks user since 1997, and was one of the founding members of the SWUGN Committee. Since starting the Central Texas SolidWorks User Group in 1999, my career path has led me to DS SolidWorks and a dream job supporting the SolidWorks User Group Network worldwide.
Richard Doyle

@https://twitter.com/swugn

Richard Doyle