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FEATURE Page 7 And the Winner is… David K. Blythe University of Kentucky Award for Outstanding Member of the Year Recognizes the volunteer spirit of BICSI members, and spotlights one individual for outstanding efforts in promoting BICSI's educational programs and commitment to professional development within the industry. RECIPIENT: Rui Takei, RCDD, DCDC Since 2012 Rui has been involved with BICSI, presenting at BICSI conferences in the United States, as well as the Middle East and Africa, and the South Pacific Districts. Rui sits on multiple committees and is the Chair of the Global Development Translation Subcommittee. He is responsible for having translated the ANSI/BICSI 002-2014 data center standard and the RCDD exam into Japanese. AWARDS BANQUET As is the tradition, BICSI hosts the Annual Awards Banquet at each Winter Conference. Here we celebrate individuals who stand out as having made incredible contributions to BICSI and the ICT industry. Winners were announced during dinner, followed by the live country music of the Bret Mullins Band. Congratulations to this year's award winners! Presidential Eagle Award Selected by BICSI's President and given to individuals who have exhibited leadership, sacrifice and faith in BICSI and the industry, as well as having shown immeasurable dedication to a greater cause over a period of time. RECIPIENT: Bob Hertling, RCDD, OSP Staying busy through the years serving on numerous BICSI committees, Bob has been a key contributor to several editions of most of BICSI's publications. He also speaks frequently at Northeast Region Meetings and numerous BICSI conferences. As Bob always says, "A bad day volunteering for BICSI is better than a good day at work!" Harry J. Pfister Award for Excellence in the Telecommunications Industry Awarded by the University of South Florida, College of Engineering, this award recognizes the lifetime achievement of an individual in the telecommunications industry. RECIPIENT: Roger Jette This self-taught innovator got his start in the industry as a manufacturer's sales rep. Today he holds more than 25 patents on various product innovations for cable management. In addition to owning his own company, Roger makes time to visit high school students to educate them on the power of embracing what makes them unique and achieving their dreams through hard work. Emerging ICT Professionals Award Presented to an individual under the age of 35 who has begun their career in the ICT industry and is taking the initiative by participating in BICSI and acting as a leader and mentor for other emerging professionals. RECIPIENT: Fernando Chavez Jr., RCDD An RCDD since 2015, Fernando is an active member of the BIM Best Practices Subcommittee and was included in the 2017 RCDD Exam Standard Setting Study. A senior project consultant, Fernando spends countless hours mentoring and guiding others in the ICT industry, training new designers and senior staff on best practices and procedures. Ray Gendron BICSI Cares Scholarship Named in honor of BICSI Cares founder, Ray Gendron, this annually awarded scholarship is available to BICSI members and their immediate family. The student must major in telecommunications/ICT or a related field. RECIPIENT: Rachel Higgins Rachel believes that matching the right technology to the right job is the key to success in a modern, ever-changing world. After graduating from the British Columbia Institute of Technology with a degree in Business Information Technology Management, she plans to become a Business Solutions Designer and push for the growth and application of technology. (L to R) BICSI President Jeff Beavers, Bob Hertling and Executive Director & CEO John Clark.