Educated at the Lincoln Electric School, Mark Ficek won an Excellence in Welding Award before graduating first in his class. Although NASCAR subsequently offered him employment as a welder in one of the most challenging and rewarding working environments in the industry, he decided to pursue a career in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). Mark Ficek fast established himself as an experienced professional in this field, obtaining official accreditation as a level III radiographer technician, a level III ultrasonics technician, and a certified welding inspector.

As the president of Metals Testing Services in Billings, Montana, Mark Ficek provides national NDT services that range from ultrasonics and radiography to advanced welding inspection. To augment and inform his activities with Metals Testing Services, Mr. Ficek stays current with the latest developments in the NDT industry by regularly reading current NDT journals, attending relevant trade shows, and conducting his own technology research.