- 01 April 2005 -
NAMF Celebrates Golden Anniversary in Style

The National Association of Metal Finishers' (NAMF) 50th Anniversary Convention was a smashing success. Held aboard the luxurious Silver Whisper, a Silversea cruise line, the event played host to roughly 300 industry members (including their families) who took time away from their busy schedules to toast the association on a job well done.

And what a ride it has been for the association, established in 1955 following the merger of the NAMF and National Federation of Metal Finishers boards. Over its half century of progress, NAMF has generated many first-class management programs and manuals that its members have found valuable. More importantly, NAMF events continue to serve as a meeting place for industry members to gather and discuss solutions to common problems.

The event featured informative sessions from speakers who presented expert analysis and business intelligence. It provided a venue for attendees to network, discussing hot topics and issues as well as sharing success stories, useful information job and captive shop owners can share with their personnel.

The NAMF convention also served as a platform for honoring individuals for their contributions to the industry. Congratulations to the following award winners:

Award of Special Recognition (presented to a person who is not from a member company for their invaluable assistance to and in support of the finishing industry): George LaBar, executive director, Surface Technology Association (San Francisco).

Award of Merit (presented to individuals from one or more member companies for outstanding service of a local and/or national nature): Anthony D. Alcaro Jr., president, Alcaro & Alcaro Plating Co. (Montclair, N.J.); John Gilbert, technical sales representative, Gilbert & Jones Co., Inc. (New Britain, Conn.); and Gerald Wahlin, president and CEO, AAA Plating & Inspection Co. (Compton, Calif.).
John Z. Mickey Outstanding Service Recognition Award (bestowed upon an individual who has been of outstanding service and shown extraordinary leadership and professionalism within the industry): Richard Delawder, chairman, SWD Inc. (Addison, Ill.)

Silvio C. Taormina Memorial Award (NAMF's most prestigious individual award honoring a person who performed outstanding service to the finishing industry nationally and/or internationally): Jeffrey Higdon, vice president, Victoria Plating Co. (Bronx, N.Y.)

Last but not least, I'd like to thank NAMF members and sponsoring companies who supported a supplement produced by Metal Finishing that commemorates the association's golden anniversary. The editorial includes a retrospective of NAMF's first 50 years as well as articles that talk about key industry issues then and now. You'll find a copy of this publication polybagged with this month's issue.