SMTA 'Members of Distinction' Award Winners Announced

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During the 2019 Annual Meeting at SMTA International, the SMTA honored members who have shown exceptional service to the association and the electronics assembly industry. 

The association’s highest honor, the Founder’s Award, recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions to the industry, as well as support and service to the SMTA. This year, the organization selected Charles "Chuck" E. Bauer Ph.D., TechLead Corporation, to receive this prestigious award. SMTA and the electronics industry have benefited immensely from Dr. Bauer's support over the years. His contributions of leadership to the Oregon Chapter and Board of Directors, as well as technical contributions such as founding the Pan Pacific Microelectronics Symposium, have truly set the standard for bringing global awareness to the SMTA. 

The Member of Technical Distinction Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and continuing technical contributions to the association. This year the Awards Committee selected Dudi Amir, Intel Corporation, as the recipient of this prestigious award. Dudi Amir has been a senior process engineer at Intel Corporation since 1994. He has given many industry papers and has been awarded 9 US patents in package and board technologies. Dudi is an authority on two key technical concerns in the industry - Head on Pillow and Non-wet Open defects for BGA solder joints. He has played an important role in the SMTA International Conference as a speaker, chair and member of the technical committee for several years as well as presenting many papers and instructing workshops.

The Excellence in Leadership Award honors members who stand out as strong leaders in the association. The 2018 recipient of this award is Greg Kloiber, Ducommun. Greg Kloiber has been dedicated to the success of the SMTA for over 20 years. He has demonstrated his leadership experience in various roles on the Wisconsin Chapter leadership team.  Greg brings a high level of energy, optimism, inclusiveness, and FUN; key attributes for increasing participation in the organization. The SMTA thanks Greg for his many valuable years of service 

The Excellence in International Leadership Award recognizes members who have provided outstanding support and leadership to the SMTA's international members, chapters, or educational programs. The recipient selected for this award was Ivan Romo, SMarTsol Technologies. Ivan has been instrumental in growing the SMTA Guadalajara Chapter and various activities all over Mexico since joining the leadership team in 2012. Mr. Romo continually advocates for SMTA participation, dedicating his own company resources to support chapter needs when necessary. Through his extensive network with local and international suppliers, Ivan helped grow the Guadalajara Expo to the hugely successful event it is today, supporting the major demand for networking and education as manufacturing increases in Mexico.

Intel Corporation received the SMTA+ Corporate Partnership Award this year. As a corporate member for 20 years, Intel Corporation has shown support at every level of the association from supporting chapter and board leadership positions to technical contributions for conferences, committees, and most importantly their willingness to share technical knowledge with others in the industry. They embody the SMTA mission by encouraging employees to become members, attend meetings and share their knowledge. Intel is most deserving of this honor.

SMTA has recognized exceptional individual and corporate members for their immeasurable contributions to the association since 1994.

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