Richard ('Rick') Hille, FSCT Past-President, to receive 2006 FSCT George Baugh Heckel Award.

The FSCT has announced that FSCT Past-President Richard M. Hille, Vice President of Operations for The Flood Company, Hudson, OH, has been named the 2006 recipient of the organization's highest honor--the George Baugh Heckel Award.

Presentation of the Heckel Award will be made at the FSCT Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, October 31, at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. The AGM will be held in conjunction with ICE 2006, scheduled for November 1-3, in New Orleans, LA.

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Considered the most prestigious of FSCT awards, the George Baugh Heckel Award honors an individual whose contributions to the organization have been outstanding.

Established in 1951, the award is dedicated to the memory of George Baugh Heckel, who served as temporary chairman when the Federation was organized in 1922, and as secretary for many years thereafter.

FSCT Accomplishments

While serving as President of the FSCT in 2003-2004, Mr. Hille initiated the Structure & Governance Task Force, a group that was influential in recommending major changes to the FSCT's governance structure. As Immediate Past-President, he headed the Transition Task Force, responsible for the design and implementation of the restructured FSCT bylaws. A member of the FSCT's Executive Committee (1988-92 and 2001-05), he also served on the Board of Directors (1985-92 and 2000-05). Mr. Hille led several FSCT Committees, including Manufacturing (1983-87), Program (1988), and Host (1980). As a charter member of the Professional Development Committee, serving from 1984-1990, and a trustee of the Coatings Industry Education Foundation from 1997-2003, Mr. Hille has been a strong advocate for expanding educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as providing professional development programs for industry colleagues.

According to Heckel Award Committee Chair, Gerry J. Gough, of ICI Packaging Coatings Ltd., Birmingham, UK, "Rick's service to the Federation came at a time when the organization had entered into a period of major transition. He offered strong and effective leadership in serving as the FSCT's President by providing the impetus for the new governance structure to be put into place. While the efforts to make these changes happen were supported by and involved many other people, it was Rick's drive and enthusiasm that made it all happen. The Federation owes enormous gratitude to Rick Hille."

Career Highlights

Mr. Hille has been employed as Vice President of Operations by The Flood Company since 1996, moving from Chicago where he began his lifelong career in the architectural coatings industry. Having learned and practiced the principles of coatings formulation at The Sherwin-Williams Company, he began as Technical Director and eventually Vice President of Manufacturing for United Coatings, Inc. In 1980, Mr. Hille accepted the position of Manufacturing Manager with the Tru-Test Paint Division of True Value Hardware, later assuming the responsibilities of General Manager.

A member of the coatings industry for 38 years, Mr. Hille was graduated with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1968.

Industry-Related Activities

Currently a member of the Cleveland Society of Coatings Technology, Mr. Hille served as president of the Chicago Society in 1980-81, was Chicago Society Director from 1985-92, and was a member of their Educational, Program, and Manufacturing Committees.

Recognized by the industry for his many accomplishments, Mr. Hille received the SATER Award of Recognition and Honorary Membership in 2004. In 1993, he was the recipient of both the Federation's President's Award and the Chicago Society's Outstanding Service Award.

A member of the National Paint and Coatings Association, he served as a member of the NPCA Board of Directors (1992-96) and Executive Committee (1992-94).

An avid golfer, Mr. Hille served as president of the Nifty Niblicks, the Chicago coatings industry golf club in 1991, and in 1997 was elected to Honorary Membership for distinguished service to the organization.

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The first of these short audio broadcasts will focus on the current state of New Orleans as a destination city. Featured are interviews with representatives from the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as officials of the American Library Association (ALA). In June, the ALA held a very successful show in New Orleans, with nearly 17,000 attendees. Tune in to hear their first-hand comments on the city and its ability to host a major convention.