Chapters are celebrated for their outstanding achievements in association practices.

Each year AFE takes a moment to acknowledge those who deserve particular commendation for going beyond the normal call of volunteer duty, or Chapters that demonstrate best practices that exemplify the association’s mission. Last year’s winners were celebrated at the 2011 AFE Chapter Awards Reception, held in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 11, 2011. The event was generously sponsored by Ideal Industries, Inc. and INSPEC, and as the social event for Facilities America, the reception provided a prime networking opportunity for members to connect with association leaders, Global Technical Partners and professional peers.

Selecting the Winners

AFE encourages regional and Chapter leaders to help in identifying award recipients. Nominations are submitted to the national office where a board-appointed Nominations Committee diligently reviews each submission and selects the recipients. Eleven recipients were awarded in seven categories; each received a plaque and a tool gift from Ideal Industries, Inc. Tom Baxter, AFE’s past president, stated, “It’s important to acknowledge those who help to keep the wheels turning…who help us to provide a valuable experience to our members.”

Award Categories and Honorees

Best Professional Development Program Award

Chapter 74: Worcester, Central Massachusetts

This award — presented to AFE board member and Chapter 74 Past President Stephen W. Nicholas, CPMM — recognizes Chapters for their innovative, creative and informative approaches to providing professional development opportunities. Successful programming of tours and technical presentations allowed Chapter 74 to grow tremendously over the last three years.

The Chapter has shown substantial increase in new members as well as maintained a good retention rate, and the number of new members more than doubled in 2010. Chapter 74 was also the first Chapter in its region to offer professional development scholarships to encourage members to pursue AFE certifications.

Best Newsletter

This award recognizes Chapters for their innovative, creative and informative approaches to the development and distribution of Chapter newsletters. This award is granted to Chapters whose newsletter reflects an outstanding best practice for Chapter communications that can be easily replicated by other Chapters.

Small Chapter Category Chapter 39: Silicon Valley, California

The award — presented to Chapter President Bob Adamo — acknowledged the Chapter 39 newsletter for its success in supporting the Chapter’s mission. The Silicon Valley Chapter 39 newsletter is the Chapter’s main vehicle for communicating its events and networking opportunities. The newsletter has evolved to include columns featuring highlights of upcoming events and summaries of past meetings and events. The print edition newsletter is mailed to all Chapter members, and an electronic version is also published.

Large Chapter Category Chapter 74: Worcester, Central Massachusetts

Immediate Past President Don Gillis (CPE) accepted the 2011 Best Newsletter Award in the Large Chapter category on behalf of his Chapter. Chapter 74’s member-focused and managed newsletter is distributed via email and also published in an online format. The newsletter has many features, including a job posting section, meetings and events calendar and news, and links to the region’s social media platforms. The newsletter also features “The Certification Corner” section that provides questions and answers specific to AFE’s Certified Plant Engineer and Certified Plant Maintenance Manager certification programs.

Rising Star Award

AFE recognizes new members, college students and rising professionals who demonstrate respect for AFE’s mission and a passion for the engineering and maintenance profession. This award also recognizes contributions the profession as demonstrated by Chapter participation. Chapter participation includes community outreach, volunteerism and educational course work.

Small Chapter Category Chapter 25: Gulf Coast, President, Eric Herrera, CPMM

Since joining AFE in 2010, Herrera positioned himself to be an asset to the Chapter. Knowing the value of his AFE membership, he effectively encourages his colleagues to join AFE and participate in its activities. Herrera continues to be active in AFE and the AFE Chapter 25 Gulf Coast Region. He’s served as the Chapter’s treasurer, vice president and president. Herrera is a Certified Plant Maintenance Manager and most recently has been elected vice president for AFE Region 9.

Large Chapter Category Chapter 12: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jeff Rinderle, Member

Since joining AFE in 2009, Jeff Rinderle has been very active in Milwaukee Chapter 12, attending nearly every program and successfully encouraging participation from his colleagues. His family-owned company, Rinderle Door, has generously supported the Chapter through sponsorships, and this support has been a vital factor in the financial strength of the Chapter. Rinderle is the epitome of the volunteer spirit, lending his aid however and whenever needed, including making phone calls to members and meeting planning.

Best Community Service

Chapter 66: Chippewa Valley

This award recognizes Chapters for developing and implementing outreach and community service programs that address specific local social, ecological or economic needs. Chapter President Robert Schultz, CEM, accepted the award on behalf of Chapter 66.

For many years, Chippewa Valley Chapter 66 has provided student scholarships to local colleges and universities. In addition, the Chapter saw a need to assist in other activities that improve lives within the community, including the development of two community projects that contribute annual donations to the L. E. Phillips Career Development Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The first donation of $250 supports projects or programs for people with special needs. The second part of the community project benefits the City of Eau Clair Beautification Program.

Best Membership Marketing

Chapter 13: Minnesota/Twin Cities

Chapter President Paul Solmon, CPMM, CFM, accepted the Best Membership Marketing Award on behalf of Chapter 13. This honor acknowledges local Chapters who demonstrate outstanding practices for promoting the value of membership in AFE and their local chapter. Chapter 13 is an outstanding example in this category. A strong supporter of AFE national and regional activities, many of Chapter 13’s members have risen to serve on regional and national AFE volunteer positions. Advertisers are encouraged to promote on the national level and members are invited to attend AFE conferences, training and events. The Chapter has been able to grow its membership base by establishing a strong value proposition. Its membership marketing strength is in peer networking. AFE recognizes Chapter 13’s members for doing the best job of engaging nonmembers in Chapter activities and introducing them to the membership experience.

Chapter Member of the Year

This category distinguishes local chapter members who demonstrate outstanding support of AFE and chapter activities through volunteerism, sponsorship and/or member outreach. Chapter Member of the Year reflects AFE’s mission and value proposition and works to enhance the overall membership experience within their local Chapter.

Small Chapter Category Chapter 15: Golden Gate, President Dale Franklin, Sr. CPMM

Dale Franklin, Sr. Joined AFE in 2008 and hopped on the fast track to leadership through his ‘can do’ spirit. Since becoming president of AFE’s Golden Gate Chapter 15 in 2011, Franklin increased the chapter’s membership by 200 percent within a year. He has enlisted corporate support to provide scholarships to student members and has championed AFE’s outreach to provide student rates for apprentices and young professionals. Additionally, Franklin has earned AFE’s Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) certification for the purpose of qualifying to teach the program within his region and encourage others to take their career to the next level through certification. Franklin exemplifies the passion of AFE members.

Large Chapter Category
Chapter 13: Minnesota/Twin Cities, Fred King, Member

As a longtime member of AFE’s Chapter 13, Fred King has been extremely active within AFE on a national, regional and local level since joining in 1992. He has held several positions including Region 3 membership chair and his national positions include serving as vice president of education and training and vice president of communications and marketing. In addition, he serves on the board of the AFE Foundation. He diligently promotes AFE certification to aid and encourage members’ professional advancement. King continues to promote AFE through numerous outreach programs and supports like-minded professionals in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. He is a true champion for facilities engineers and their chosen professions.

Chapter of the Year

The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes Chapters that present an outstanding example of representing the mission and value proposition of AFE through its leadership development, compliance with AFE Chapter guidelines, and provision of programs, products and services that help to enhance the overall AFE membership experience.

Small Chapter Category Chapter 66: Chippewa Valley, President Robert Schultz, CEM

Chippewa Valley Chapter 66 President Robert Schultz was honored with the Chapter of the Year award for a Small Chapter. Chapter 66 promotes and participates in national AFE programs, webinars and online meetings with Chapter leaders, and participating in monthly leadership meetings to help support local Chapter efforts. This past year, the Chapter’s major initiatives were focused on the “Member-Get-A-Member” campaign. Chapter leaders set a goal of a 10 percent increase in membership, which was exceeded. The Chapter has also generously funded scholarships to its local colleges and universities by hosting an annual golf outing. In its ninth year, the funds derived from the golf outing have evolved into support for seven $500.00 scholarships used to promote the facilities and manufacturing concentrations at two local schools: the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Chippewa Valley Technical College. Chapter 66 clearly represents the AFE mission.

Large Chapter Category Chapter 74: Worcester, Central Massachuttes, President Don Juozaitis

This award —presented to Chapter 74 President Don Juozaitis —acknowledges Worcester Central Massachusetts Chapter 74 for its outstanding methods used to engage and educate its Chapter members by implementing strategies for membership marketing and retention. The Chapter is building membership at a significant pace. Thirty-seven people joined the Chapter in 2010, a more than 50 percent increase over the previous year. Along with increased membership, the Chapter has improved meeting attendance by 100 percent over the past three years. Additionally, more than 50 percent of the Chapter’s members have earned AFE certifications. The Chapter encourages its members to become certified and participate in professional development opportunities and has instituted scholarships and stipends to support its members’ pursuit of AFE certifications. Chapter 74 stands as a model for effectiveness, efficiency and superb delivery of the membership experience.

Talisa Thomas-Hall is AFE senior director of membership and operations. One of her primary responsibilities is to serve as the staff liaison to AFE Chapters and Regions. She can be reached at 571-203-7236 or via email at tthomashall@afe.org.