The Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) presented the Awards of Excellence and the Genny Dwyer Volunteer of the Year Award during the 37th Annual Anodizing Conference in October.
The Robert L. Kersman Award of Excellence is an award presented to the author, or authors, of the best paper at the previous year's Anodizing Conference. The Best Paper of the 2022 Anodizing Conference was awarded to Melissa Douglas and Emily Li of Microsoft for their paper, "Defining Cosmetic Quality for Type II Anodization from the Customer's Perspective." The paper addressed the challenges of aligning the anodizer's and the customer's expectations of what to expect regarding color, material, finish, reliability, and quality. This communication between the stakeholders is critical to manufacturing scalability and business success, according to the authors.
Douglas and Li were not available at this year's Anodizing Conference to accept the award. However, AAC Chair Janette Courtney of Bonnell Aluminum and Education Committee Co-Chair Dr. George Oh of Quaker Houghton accepted the award on their behalf.
The best paper award is named for Robert (Buzz) Kersman of Lorin Industries, who was involved in the formation of the AAC, helping to fund and organize the early meetings.
Jacqueline Cook of Reliant Aluminum Products received the Donald I. Johnson Award of Excellence for her presentation on "How to Ensure Lightfastness of Type II Dyed Anodized Aluminum."The Donald I. Johnson Award of Excellence for best presentation at the 2022 Anodizing Conference was presented to Jacqueline Cook of Reliant Aluminum Products for her presentation on "How to Ensure Lightfastness of Type II Dyed Anodized Aluminum."
Cook explained that choosing the correct dye with an architectural grade lightfastness rating is the first step to ensure dyeing that withstands years of exposure. She discussed how coating thickness, weight, density, dye concentration and activity, seal quality, and chemistry all play vital roles in creating a good UV-resistant coating. Cook's presentation also provided anodizers with insights into managing the anodizing line for maximum efficacy with cost and environmental factors in mind.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to present at the AAC's annual conference and incredibly honored to win the Presentation of the Year award, joining the ranks of so many experts in our field,” Cook says. “I look forward to future opportunities to get involved, educate, and learn with the Aluminum Anodizer's Council."
The Award of Excellence for Best Presentation is named for Don Johnson, an original AAC member instrumental in organizing the Council's first Anodizing Workshop in 1992, serving as AAC Chairman from 1987 through 1994.
The Genny Dwyer Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Dr. George Oh, Senior Research and Development Chemist in the Metal Finishing Division of Quaker Houghton. AAC Chair Janette Courtney of Bonnell Aluminum presented the award. The Genny Dwyer Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Dr. George Oh, Senior Research and Development Chemist in the Metal Finishing Division of Quaker Houghton. He is co-chair of the Education Committee for the Aluminum Anodizers Council, where he helps plan and organize the program for the Annual Anodizing Conference, as well as the School of Anodizing classes offered periodically.
"George is also a co-host of the AAC's popular podcast, ANO-Talk: All Things Anodizing," says AAC Chairperson Janette Courtney. "He makes the episodes informative, engaging, and above all, fun."
Providing a concrete example of George's volunteer spirit, Courtney said that during the Twelfth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar, Oh came to the registration desk to help as attendees were lining up to get their badges for an Anodizing Essentials class.
“The line was long, and he, without any hesitation, jumped behind the table and started helping staff get the badges in the hands of attendees,” she says. “He did so with a big smile and a happy heart. He didn't complain about it or critique the circumstance. He just jumped in and helped with what appeared to be 'joy.' That's the way it is with him. He just does it, and he has fun doing it. For those reasons, who could deny that he is our Volunteer of the Year?"
Oh says it was a pleasant surprise to receive the AAC's Genny Dwyer Volunteer of the Year Award at this year's Anodizing Conference.
“It is definitely a privilege and pleasure to work with the other members of the organization planning the annual conference and teaching and speaking at it, and also working the various initiatives that we have to educate people in our industry and promote it further,” Oh says. “It's especially meaningful for me to be receiving this award as the namesake was a good friend, and it was a privilege to be her friend and colleague for the time that we had. She worked for years to get the industry and organization to where it is now."
The Volunteer of the Year Award was named for Genny Dwyer of Linetec, who served AAC as a member of the Board of Directors and the Education Committee before she passed away in 2020.
The Aluminum Anodizers Council is the international trade association of firms engaged in aluminum anodizing whose mission is to support its members—and users of anodized aluminum—through education, advocacy, and promotion.
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