3/28/2011 11:52:00 AM
HEADLINES
IFI Presents 2011 Soaring Eagle Awards to Cosenza, Haerther and Grabner
(left to right) George Grabner, Frank Cosenza and Dan Haerther
IFI Soaring Eagles
Ward Leadership Award
Robert E. Brunner, Illinois Tool Works, 2001
George F. Wasmer, Lake Erie Screw Corp., 2002
James E. Wittersheim, Semblex Corp., 2005
Patrick Meade, High-Shear Aerospace Fasteners, 2006
Robert H. Len
ch, T.W. Lench Ltd., 2007
Max F. Dorflinger, Nylok , 2008
Jack Pekar, PT&G Consulting, 2010
George Grabner, Lamson & Sessions, 2011
Trowbridge Technology Award
Errol M. Alexander, 2001
Ray H. Carlson, Raycarl, 2002
John H. Bickford, 2005
Dr. Louis Raymond, 2006
Harry S. Brenner, 2007
Bernie Reiland, Camcar, 2008
Joseph J. Tomalis, 2010
Frank Cozenza, Alcoa Fastening, 2011
Case Meritorious Service Award
Harry J. Wilkinson, SPS Technologies, 2001
Charles R. O’Brien, 2002
Charles J. Wilson, Industrial Fasteners Institute, 2005
William E. Tudor, General Motors, 2006
Steven W. Vass, Lake Erie Screw Corp., 2007
Joseph Bahadrian, Ifastgroupe, 2008
Donald E. Surber, ATF Inc., 2010
Daniel P. Haerther, Semblex Corp., 2011
The eighth Soaring Eagle class given awards for technology, leadership and meritorious service.
The Industrial Fasteners Institute presented its eighth Soaring Eagle Awards to Frank Cosenza, Dan Haerther and George Grabner.
The Roy P. Trowbridge Technology Award was presented to Frank Cosenza, retired senior vice president of technology at Alcoa Fastening.
Cosenza started his aerospace engineering career at North American Aviation in Downey, CA about 50 years ago. He left to join a young Aerospace Fastener Company, Tridair.
“If it can be drawn, it can be manufactured” was his credo.
Cosenza designed complex fastening systems to solve aerospace fastener design issues, allowing the integration of quick access fastening systems to the structural integrity of airframe design.
His high strength panel fasteners combined the need for quick access to fighter aircraft operational systems for maintenance to the necessity for high strength structural integrity.
His designs challenged manufacturing processes beyond industry norm, such as applying EDM (Electric Discharge Machining} as a high volume manufacturing process for complex fasteners.
His designs are in aircraft like the F14, F18, F35, and SR71. He holds about 40 patents.
Cosenza has mentored young aerospace fastener engineers.
He still works part time designing innovative products and sharing his enthusiasm.
The Trowbridge Award honors an individual who has contributed to the advancement of fastener application engineering, and has materially added to the pool of knowledge relating to the design and application of mechanical fasteners and formed parts.
The George S. Case, Sr. Meritorious Service Award was presented posthumously to former Semblex Corporation owner Dan Haerther.
Haerther owned Semblex for 39 years until his death in 2007.
He encouraged Semblex leadership in IFI programs and activities of the organization, including the development, publishing and promotion of the fastener standards books, personal and financial support of trade shows, benchmarking programs, the hydrogen-embrittlement study, various lobbying efforts, engineering research and development.
The Case Award was presented to an individual who has a record of significant and lasting contribution to the mechanical fastener industry and has demonstrated outstanding service to the IFI in its pursuit of the objective for which it was founded.
The William E. Ward Leadership Award was presented to George Grabner for his leadership as CEO and president of the Lamson & Sessions Co. during the 1970’s and his leadership service to the IFI. He was IFI chairman 1976-1977.
Grabner began his career with the accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney. He joined The Weatherhead Company in 1958 and became CEO in 1966. In 1970 he became the president and CEO of Lamson & Sessions Co.
He was active in numerous civic activities, including being the first chairman of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association. He was named the “Man of the Year” by Sales & Marketing Executives of Cleveland and “Businessman of the Year” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The Ward Leadership Award honors outstanding contributions by an individual who has provided direction, vision and focus toward the timely resolution of strategic issues challenging the mechanical fastener industry and the many markets it serves.
The Industrial Fasteners Institute initiated the Soaring Eagle Awards in 2001 to recognize “those persons who have ascended far beyond the expected in their contributions to the North American fastener industry and the many industries it serves.”
Founded in 1931, the IFI represents the interests of North American mechanical fastener and formed parts manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. Web: indfast.org ©2011 GlobalFastenerNews.com
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