A Long Legacy: Third-Generation NDT Expert Shifts Into Sales

Back in 2015, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Brandon Long made his way back to his birthplace of Alaska and found his footing in non-destructive testing (NDT). Considering that inspections and quality assurance have been part of Brandon’s family for over 50 years, you could say he took the “Long” way home.

“I’m the third generation in my family to work in non-destructive testing. My grandfather helped build the oil field in Prudhoe Bay in the 1970s. He was involved with inspecting the drilling pads, and that’s how my father got into inspection work,” says Brandon, whose father travels the U.S. working as a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) today.

Brandon went on to work nearly a decade as an inspector for multiple clients in Prudhoe Bay, the largest oil field in North America. A certified Level II NDT technician, Brandon became skilled in multiple inspection methods, including radiography, ultrasonic testing, liquid penetrant testing, rope access, and other techniques. Before long, Brandon took on more leadership and training responsibilities as a field supervisor for rope access and NDT inspections.

His time working in the oil fields of Alaska offered more than a few memorable moments.

“There were times I would be out on a pipe rack doing rope access work, and I would look down at the drilling pad and see polar bears just 100 yards away,” recalls Brandon, a SPRAT-certified Level 3 Rope Access inspector. “Working in Alaska, I got to see the Northern Lights and a lot of cool wildlife. Not many people get to experience those things in their lives, but it was almost an everyday occurrence for us.”

During that time in his life, Brandon also found adventure speeding down majestic mountains in the Pacific Northwest. His serious snowboarding skills — including tricks like the front flip nose grab and 540 melon grab — caught the eye of sponsors including GoPro, 686 and SPY Optics.

“My favorite thing about snowboarding is that no matter how good or bad you are at it, everyone is very accepting,” says Brandon. “It’s all about the fun of riding.”

In 2024, ready to start a new chapter in his career, Brandon joined Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) as Regional Sales Manager – Northwest. The company’s growth-driven approach proved a strong selling point.

“The thing that struck me the most with IIA is the opportunity for expansion. I like IIA’s business model and how they do business,” he says. “It seems like the company is heading in a really good direction.”

Based in Spokane, Washington, Brandon helps to connect customers with inspection services for plant and lift equipment. He enjoys building relationships and attending industry events, where he meets people who helped shape the NDT industry.

“It’s really cool to interact with key players in the NDT world and getting to know some of the people who helped put the rules and regulations in place for the work that we do,” says Brandon.

When he’s not solving customers’ inspection problems, Brandon’s favorite thing is family time. His son Bruce, born in 2023, is named after the iconic martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, a hero of Brandon’s father. (In fact, Brandon himself was named after Bruce Lee’s son.)

Savoring the role of father, Brandon has happily put aside some of his previous pastimes. He does, however, enjoy the occasional round of golf and is an avid football fan, always rooting for the Seattle Seahawks.

“Before my son was born, I had a whole list of things I liked to do,” he says with a laugh. “Nowadays, all I want to do is play with him and spend time with my wife.”

At home and at work, his family’s legacy in NDT is something Brandon carries with him. Customers appreciate his no-nonsense approach and ability to speak the language of NDT. It’s a subject that seems to be in his very DNA.

“Honestly, it just seems like non-destructive testing is in my bloodline at this point,” he says. “It’s definitely fed our family for a long time.”