The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) honored several industry leaders with awards for service and leadership at the AHAM Annual Member Meeting.  This year’s meeting, “Sustainability Inc. Principles, Practices and Pathways,” was held in Fort Myers, FL on April 27-28, 2008.

The industry’s top honor, the prestigious Home Appliance Industry Leadership (HAIL) Award was presented to Walter K. Birdsell, Director of Engineering, Kaz, Inc.; J.B. Hoyt, Director, Regulatory Affairs and State Government Relations, Whirlpool Corporation; Winston S. Lindsay, III, CEO, Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc.; and Cyral M. “Marty” Walsh, Director, Product Safety, BSH Home Appliances Corporation.

Walt Birdsell has been an active member of AHAM’s Portable Appliance Division for more than 15 years, and has been Chairman of the Portable Appliance Engineering Council since 2004.  He helped lead the AHAM efforts to revise the National Electric Code proposals on fans and heaters in 2006 as well as the recent revisions to UL standards on fans and heaters to encourage improvements in product safety for these products.

J.B. Hoyt has worked closely with the Major Appliance Division Government Relations Council and its Engineering Council since 2003.  He was instrumental in producing AHAM’s consumer study on the impact of various changes to the FTC Energy Guide Label program and has enhanced AHAM’s regulatory work in support of its advocacy positions.

Winston Lindsay has served as Chair of the Central Vacuum Cleaner Council since its formation in 2004.  His leadership has resulted in tangible progress for this product category’s success in the areas of promotion, market data, and technical services.

Marty Walsh has chaired the Major Appliance Engineering Council since 2004.  He has provided leadership to the industry on gas range safety, and DOE dishwasher and refrigerator-freezer rulemakings.

The AHAM Chairman’s Award recognizes significant contributions to the Association by non-member individuals.  The 2008 Chairman’s Award was presented to Timothy L. Mullin, Esq. of Miles & Stockbridge for his leadership and guidance on product liability regulatory and legislative issues.  He has represented several AHAM members before the CPSC and has established a reputation as an effective advocate for product safety regulations.  Mullin has been an integral part of the AHAM-IAAI Fire Investigator Training Programs for the last 10 years.

The AHAM Distinguished Service Award recognizes significant contributions by virtue of longevity and quality of service to AHAM and the home appliance industry.   This year’s Distinguished Service Award recipients are Richard Bollard, Group Standards & Approvals Manager, Fisher & Paykel Appliances; Bill A. Brown, P.E., Senior Engineer, GE Consumer & Industrial; and Steve Gatchell, Director of Engineering Home Comfort, Hunter Fan Company.  All of the Distinguished Service award winners provided AHAM with leadership and technical expertise while serving on various task forces and committees and helping to revise AHAM performance standards and test methods.

AHAM congratulates all 2008 recipients.  The 2009 AHAM annual member meeting will take place at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. on April 19-20, 2009.