Chairman’s Award

The Chairman’s Award, formerly called the President’s Award of Merit, is only given when the ATA chairman of the board feels there is an individual worthy of special recognition for his or her unique contribution to the industry.

Recipient List

1983—Don Keen
Mehler Coated Fabrics
Charlotte, NC, USA
The first Chairman’s Award was given to Don Keen for leading the development and distribution of a 30-minute film about the industry titled Assignment North America.

1983—Dr. Jean Pierre Giroud
JP Giroud Inc.
Ocean Ridge, FL, USA
Dr. Giroud was given the Chairman’s Award in recognition of his work in advancing the applications of fabrics used in the construction industry.

1984—Al Tauer
Kellwood Co.
New Haven, MO, USA
Al Tauer received the Chairman’s Award for his work in the association’s development of CPAI-84, the volunteer flame retardant standard used in the camping tent industry.

1986—James Powell, MFC
Van Nuys Awning
Van Nuys, CA, USA
James Powell earned the Chairman’s Award for his contribution in advancing the design and application of awnings.

1988—Roy Schweinfurth, MFC
Awnco Inc.
Chicago, IL, USA
Roy Schweinfurth, past president of ATA, was given the Chairman’s Award for his tremendous personal contribution to the betterment of the association during difficult times.

1992—Roger Gant Jr.
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC
Burlington, NC, USA
Roger Gant Jr. Gant was presented with the Chairman’s Award in recognition of his contribution of more than 40 years to the specialty fabrics industry, including many years of service to the association.

1995—Motonobu Nohmura
Taiyo Kogyo Corp.
Tokyo, Japan
Motonobu Nohmura received the Chairman’s Award for his outstanding contribution in the establishment of ATA Japan.

1997—J.C. Egnew
Outdoor Venture Corp.
Stearns, KY, USA
J.C.Egnew earned the Chairman’s Award for his lifetime commitment and passion for improving the quality of life for his neighbors and employees.

2001—Robert M. Reilly Sr.
Miami Beach Awning Co. Inc.
Miami, FL, USA
Robert Reilly Sr. was given the Chairman’s Award in recognition of his continued support of the association’s exposition since 1926.

2003—Curtis C. Crawford
Belleville, KS, USA
Curtis Crawford was presented with the Chairman’s Award for his outstanding contribution in the development and implementation of ATA’s new policy governance structure.

2012—Allen E. Gant, Jr.
Glen Raven, Inc.
Glen Raven, NC, USA
Allen E. Gant, Jr. was given the Chairman’s Award during ATA’s 100 year anniversary celebration for his lifelong commitment to building a business that sustains his workers, their families, his community, his customers and our industry.

2015—Robert L. Cole.
Goodwin-Cole Co. Inc.
Sacramento, CA, USA
Mr. Cole was given the Chairman’s Award for his remarkable contribution while serving on the Association’s governing board from 1972 – 1987, most notably as President (now known as Chairman) from 1983 – 1985. He was also recognized for his unwavering support and service to this association both before and after that time.

2019—Scott Campbell
Rainier Industries
Tukwila, WA, USA
Scott Campbell received the Chairman’s Award for his leadership and guidance demonstrated during the search for ATA’s new CEO in 2018; for his willingness to always step in when the Association needs his help (he graciously volunteered to sit on the ATA Board of Directors as past chairman when we needed him); he served on the Industrial Fabrics Foundation Board of Directors for several years and is always a steadfast and true advocate for ATA and for the all of the members of the Association.