Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1087604
FEATURE Page 8 ICT Woman of the Year Award The ICT Woman of the Year Award is presented to a woman whose excellence, expertise and leadership has significantly impacted the growth and advancement of women in the industry. RECIPIENT: Michele Neifing Michele is credited with mentoring countless individuals and assisting them in their ICT careers. Currently chair of Women in BICSI, she has contributed her leadership in many avenues, including as Chair of the Membership Outreach and Development Group, and her role in creating the Technician Education Outreach Subcommittee and the BICSI Emerging Professionals Group. Larry G. Romig Committee Member of the Year Award Honors individuals for exemplary efforts and dedication within a BICSI committee. RECIPIENT: John Romanski, DCDC, ESS, OSP, WD, RTPM A BICSI member for 20 years, John has spent much of that time as an avid BICSI volunteer. He has served as a BICSI subject matter expert on topics such as outside plant, electronic safety and security, building information management, wireless and project management. A longtime member of the Technical Information and Methods Committee, he constantly provides new perspectives and drives initiatives. Global Outstanding Member of the Year Award Recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond to promote BICSI and encourage membership around the world. RECIPIENT: Katsuji Furuichi Katsuji is the District Chair of BICSI Japan. He was instrumental in increasing membership and volunteerism in the Japan District, with BICSI membership growing from 133 in 2014 to nearly 300 today. Katsuji has also worked to create new training programs for installers in local corporations, increasing training and seminars to more than twice a month—double that of 2017. BICSI Installer of the Year Award During the conference, 18 Installers and Technicians competed in the 12th annual BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge. Over a two-day period, contestants took part in a series of timed industry tasks in areas such as cable installation, assembly, termination and troubleshooting. RECIPIENT: Jonathan Ouzts, RCDD, TECH Jonathan is a project manager at CooperCraft Communications in Leesburg, Georgia. As the overall winner, he received a check for $5,000 and bragging rights as the 2019 BICSI Installer of the Year. Congratulations to all of our award winners. We look forward to next year's event when we can recognize a new lineup of distinguished industry leaders.