George Gatto Sr. has received the Charles Geldzahler Award from the Chicago Midwest Chapter of NASF.
Gatto is the founder of Gatto Industrial Platers in Chicago. The Charles Geldzahler Award originated from the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society (AESF) Chicago Branch in 1996.
Gatto has been dedicated to the metal finishing industry for the last 43 years. His career began as a tool and die maker at age 18 until he purchased a plating company in 1979. Throughout his career, he has been active in the industry and an ally to many.
The award is a permanent trophy honoring all past recipients with an inscription of their names. Each recipient is chosen by a committee of past recipients for having demonstrated, to a great extent, many of Charles Geldzahler’s honorable qualities.
Charlie Geldzahler Award from the Chicago Midwest Chapter of NASF:
Charles (“Charlie”) Geldzahler was a true Chicagoan. He was very active on the Board of Directors for the AESF Chicago Branch, even well after his presidency (1959-60), up until the day he died on December 28, 1993. Charlie was a consummate master plater, a fountain of technical knowledge and plating lore, which he shared freely with everyone. Metal finishing was his life’s work.
This award was created by The Branch in 1996. It is a permanent commemorative trophy that is inscribed with each award receiver’s name, which takes charge of the trophy for the year. The selection process is determined by a committee comprised of past Award recipients.
To date, the Charlie Geldzahler Award has been bestowed upon individuals who have to a significant extent, demonstrated Charlie’s many wonderful qualities, including:
Past Winners
- 2020: Stacey Bales, Bales Metal Surface Solutions
- 2017: Rebecca Bennett, Precision Plating, Inc.
- 2016: Brian Kane, S&C Electric Co.
- 2015: Ted Kodama, Craftsman Plating & Tinning Corp.
- 2014: Jolie Zak, CEF-4, Scientific Control LAB
- 2013: Mike Burnson, CEF, The Traveling Chemist
- 2012: Phil Meier, Castle Metal Finishing
- 2011: Charles Erdman, Chemray Corp.
- 2010: Andy Gruda, CEF, Gatto Industrial Platers, Inc.
- 2009: Louise Corbiel, Serfilco Corp.
- 2008: Gerald Stutz CEF, The Stutz Company
- 2007: Lawrence Goto, CEF, The Go To Company
- 2006: Lawrence Bernstein, CEF, Metafin Supply Co.
- 2005: Robert Alley, CEF, Midwest Metal Finishing
- 2004: Frank Altmayer, MSF, Scientific Control Labs Inc.
- 2003: Charles Remied, Serfilco Corp.
- 2002: Simon P. Gary, Fellow
- 2001: Ken Jacobsen, James Precious Metals Plating
- 2000: Peter H. Tremmel, CQE, CBP, Consulting Associates, Inc.
- 1999: Albert Pomella, CEF, Rin-Rockford, Inc.
- 1998: Sherwood Skip Cassell, Fellow, Jaynor, Inc.
- 1997: Charles P. Goodrich, CEF-SE, Fellow, Charles Goodrich Consulting
