CCAI Recognizes 2024 Award Recipients

During the 2024 CCAI Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, the Chemical Coaters Association International held their annual awards ceremony to announce the 2024 James F. & David J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and recognize the CCAI Chapter Users and Suppliers of the Year.

The prestigious James F. & David J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award is CCAI’s highest honor and is endowed to deserving members of the association that have dedicated years of service to CCAI and the industrial finishing industry. This year’s recipient, selected by the CCAI National Board of Directors, was CCAI’s Past President Tony Sclafani of AR Iron and the Las Vegas Chapter.

Tony epitomizes involvement and commitment to CCAI and the finishing industry at large. He has been a CCAI member since 2012 and has been instrumental in launching and assisting with multiple CCAI chapters west of the Mississippi. He is a custom coater member, a CCAI/PCI Peer Group member and frequently opens his shop to provide educational opportunities for the association. He has served as a chapter president and on the CCAI National Board of Directors for many years, including six years on CCAI’s Executive Committee, most recently serving as CCAI’s National Board president. His knowledge and experience are highly valued and greatly appreciated.

Tony is the general manager of AR Iron, LLC, and a dedicated family man with a very positive outlook. As a valued member of the CCAI family, Tony is an inspiration and well deserving recipient of the award. The honor sincerely touched Tony, who stated, “I am very grateful for my time in the industry and with CCAI. It is a great feeling knowing that there are like-minded people with one common goal – making the industry better for the next generation. CCAI has been a fantastic journey, both personally and professionally. I love the industry and the people. Iron sharpens iron.”
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CCAI also honored its Chapter User and Supplier of the Year recipients at the awards ceremony. Each year chapters identify a User and Supplier member for their service and dedication to their respective chapter. CCAI acknowledges those who have shown exceptional commitment to their chapter’s success.

The 2024 Chapter Award winners are:  Des Moines Chapter – Diamond Vogel; Las Vegas Chapter – AR Iron, LLC and Quaker Houghton; Northern Illinois Chapter – Marhya Osheaski, IFS Coatings; Salt Lake City Chapter – Chris Montoya, Happijac and Joe Jeppson, Quaker Houghton; Twin Cities Chapter – Dean Halonen, Steelhead Technologies and Tom Poppitz, Axalta Coating Systems; West Michigan Chapter – Bill Knape, Knape Industries and Bob Warren, Retired; and Wisconsin Chapter – Will Hochschild, Trek Bicycle Corp. and Matt Bosselman, Advanced Coatings Inc.

The West Michigan Chapter recognized Bob Warren as “Chapter Member of the Year” for his unwavering support and service over the numerous years to the chapter. In addition, Bob was recognized for his endless contributions to CCAI, the West Michigan Chapter, CCAI’s Finishing Education Foundation (CCAI FEF) and the industry as a whole with the announcement of the annual  Bob Warren Scholarship Award. This award will provide $2500 each year to a student selected by the CCAI FEF Board of Directors. The award is funded by CCAI corporate member Sames to support the scholarship program and celebrate a fellow Michigander.