Learning with Leo: Drones—Meeting Demand Without Compromise
Nolan’s Notes: Our Spotlight on North America
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Building a Supply Chain That Bends, Not Breaks
SMTA 'Members of Distinction' Award Winners Announced
October 27, 2016 | SMTAEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
During the 2016 Annual Meeting at SMTA International, the SMTA honored members who have shown exceptional service to the association and the electronics assembly industry.
The Founder's Award honoring members who have made exceptional contributions to the industry as well as support and service to the SMTA, was presented to Gary Tanel, McDonald Technologies. SMTA and the electronics industry have benefited immensely from Gary’s ardent support and leadership over the years. His contributions of leadership as a chapter officer, committee member, and as a past member of the Board of Directors have truly set the standard for SMTA.
The Member of Technical Distinction Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and continuing technical contributions to the SMTA. This year the Awards Committee selected Viswam Puligandla, Ph.D., Nokia (Retired) as the recipient of this prestigious award. He has been a key contributor to the advancement of packaging technologies for more than 25 years including three books, 125 papers, nine patents, and work on several technical committees including training and journal review.
The Excellence in Leadership Award honors SMTA members who stand out as strong leaders in the Association. The 2016 recipient of this award is Bob Baker. Bob has been 100% dedicated to the success of the SMTA. Much of the Austin CTEA Chapter's success can be credited to Bob's hard work. SMTA has always been able to depend on him to get the job done. Bob is a great role model for future leaders... an active member and volunteer for over 30 years.
The Excellence in International Leadership Award is presented to members who have provided outstanding support and leadership to the SMTA's international members, chapters, or educational programs. The 2016 recipient of this award is Jason Keeping, Celestica. Jason has been dedicated to the success of the SMTA and the Toronto chapter for several years. While serving as the VP of Technical Programs, as well as Chapter President, it has been apparent that we can always depend on Jason to get the job done! He is an integral part of the Students and Young Professionals Committee and supports several student chapters in Canada. Jason also chairs the ICSR Conference.
The SMTA+ Corporate Partnership Award was presented to Nordson Corporation. As a corporate SMTA member, Nordson has shown support at every level of the association from supporting chapter and board leadership positions to technical contributions for our conferences, committees, and most importantly their willingness to share technical knowledge with others in our industry. They embody our mission by encouraging employees to become members, attend meetings, and share their knowledge. Nordson is most deserving of this honor.
The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes an SMTA chapter that has shown exemplary commitment to the SMTA active objective of "Sharing the Knowledge." The 2016 Chapter of the Year Award was presented to the Atlanta Chapter. The 2nd Place runner-up was the Oregon Chapter. The Dallas Chapter took home the 3rd Place runner-up award.
SMTA has recognized exceptional individual and corporate members for their immeasurable contributions to the Association since 1994. Next year's winners will be recognized at the Annual Meeting during the 2017 SMTA International Conference in Rosemont, Illinois.
View details at the website here.
About SMTA
The SMTA membership is an international network of professionals who build skills, share practical experience and develop solutions in electronic assembly technologies, including microsystems, emerging technologies, and related business operations.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
When Quality Is Personal: The Human Stakes Behind Electronics Reliability
05/06/2026 | Kelly DackIn electronics manufacturing, quality is often discussed in terms of specifications, standards, and process controls, but as industry veteran Doug Pauls reminds us, the stakes are far more human. In this conversation, Doug, a recipient of the Global Electronics Association’s Hall of Fame Award, draws on more than four decades of experience to illuminate the real-world consequences of reliability, where even a single defect can carry profound implications. He brings into sharp focus why quality isn’t just a metric, but a responsibility shared by everyone on the manufacturing floor.
PCBAA, AAM Take on the Fight to Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing in New Documentary
05/05/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Throughout most of the 20th century, manufacturing was central to the American Dream of providing stable jobs and pathways to upward mobility. Today, more than 80% of global electronics manufacturing capacity resides in China and greater Asia, raising serious concerns about supply chain resilience and national security.
India’s Vasantha Advanced Systems: EMS Success for 30 Years
04/22/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Based in one of India’s premier manufacturing regions, Vasantha Advanced Systems is an EMS provider that has built a reputation for quality, reliability, and long-term customer partnerships, earning repeated recognition from the Indian government through its National MSME Awards. Now, with a full spectrum of capabilities spanning PCB assembly, box build, and wire harness, and a workforce of more than 500, Vasantha is expanding its presence into the U.S. market. At APEX EXPO, I met Dr. Chidambaranathan and learned how this rising global player is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of North American customers.
April Issue of I-Connect007 Magazine: Beyond the Rulebook
04/14/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn this month’s I-Connect007 Magazine, we asked PCB designers, fabricators, and suppliers what it really means to operate without a rulebook. Their perspectives vary, especially between seasoned designers and experienced fabricators, but a common thread emerges: progress depends on pushing boundaries and finding a way forward, even when the path isn’t clear. In many ways, this mindset has always been part of what we do, whether we’ve called it that or not.
Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
04/07/2026 | Dennis Fritz -- Column: Defense Speak InterpretedIt’s been six years since my Defense Speaks column about hypersonic weapons. Back then, these weapons were the most sought-after technology as there was little defense for them. They were the cornerstone of the “strike any location on earth within one hour” scenario. Of course, the war in Ukraine, and now the action in Iran, have grabbed the weapons headlines, but hypersonics still play a role and development continues. Here is the update.