AGA Awards & History of Recipients
The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) hosts a number of awards to recognize members and key contributors to the hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) industry. In any given year, a maximum of three candidates per award can be recommended by the Awards Committee for considered by the Board of Directors for induction. This page summarizes the current awards - Thomas M. Gregory Memorial Award, Hall of Fame Award, and Daniel M. Hubbell Memorial Award including the criteria for receiving the honor as well as a list of recipients for each.
Nominate Your Peers for an AGA Award
Employees of any AGA member company can submit nominations. Nominations must be accompanied by a biography that describes personal accomplishments, contributions to the AGA and/or the galvanizing industry, length of time in the industry, company(s) served, and any committee or board positions held in the AGA and for what years. Your nomination should NOT be made known to the individual.
Thomas M. Gregory Memorial Award
The Thomas M. Gregory Memorial Award is reserved for galvanizer members, past and present. It honors the legacy of the AGA’s founder, Thomas M. Gregory, who envisioned an industry foundation representing the interests of all galvanizers for future generations. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the association and is presented periodically to recognize outstanding contributions to the advancement of the industry and exceptional service to the association.
Past TMG Award Winners
| Year | Winner(s) | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 1941 | R. W. Sandelin | Atlantic Steel Company |
| 1942 | Fred M. Carlson Joseph B. Tate |
American Tinning & Galvanizing Co. The Witt Company |
| 1952 | Frederick Brightly Stuart J. Swensson Sr. |
Brightly Galvanizing American Hot-Dip Galvanizers Association (AHDGA) |
| 1954 | I.M. Hermann Harold R. Breslau |
Acme Galvanizing The Southern Galvanizing Co. |
| 1959 | Frank Miller R. E. Byrd |
Lehigh Structural Steel Company Atlantic Steel Company |
| 1965 | A. H. Gudie John L. Kimberley |
Pacific Galvanizing Association ILZRO |
| 1971 | Kenneth S. Frazier W. M. (Pat) Boyles |
American Hot-Dip Galvanizers Association (AHDGA) Boyles Galvanizing Company |
| 1977 | J. Wykoff Piatt Charles E. Perry |
Armco, Inc. American Hot-Dip Galvanizers Association (AHDGA) |
| 1981 | Stuart J. Swensson Jr. | The Witt Company |
| 1984 | D. Boyd Dean T. Raymond Gregory Leon W. Ponte |
International Galvanizing Gregory Galvanizing Southeastern Galvanizing |
| 2001 | Michael K. Hettleman Robert F. Doeling |
The Southern Galvanizing Co. Witt Galvanizing |
| 2003 | Raymond V. McKinnon | Rogers Brothers Galvanizing |
| 2005 | Robert C. Phillips | Pure Metals Galvanizing |
| 2008 | Julian D. Dozier | Intermountain/Gateway Galvanizing |
| 2017 | John G. Gregor | American Galvanizing Co. |
| 2022 | Thomas J. Langill | American Galvanizers Association (AGA) |
Hall of Fame Award
The Hall of Fame Award is given to sustaining or galvanizer members and/or key contributors to the industry, whether or not they are members of the AGA. It recognizes long and meritorious service to the AGA and the after-fabrication hot-dip galvanizing industry, honoring leadership, commitment, and performance.
Past HOF Winners
| Year | Winner(s) | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Harold R. Breslau R. E. Byrd Fred M. Carlson |
Southern Galvanizing Co. Atlantic Steel Co. American Tinning & Galvanizing Co. |
| 1974 | Dr. Borris Bresler Dr. Israel Cornet |
University of California |
| 1975 | Lester Sanders | Smith Industries |
| 1978 | John J. Sebisty | Canadian Ministry of Transportation |
| 1979 | Dr. Schrade F. Radtke | ILZRO |
| 1980 | Hartley R. Burgess | Pure Metal Galvanizing |
| 1983 | Herbert Guttman | Cominco/Noranda |
| 1985 | T. Raymond Gregory J. Robert Hall William E. Phillips Stuart J. Swensson, Jr. |
Gregory Galvanizing & Metal Processing Corbec Corporation Pure Metal Galvanizing The Witt Co. |
| 1994 | Michael K. Hettleman Richard L. Brooks |
Southern Galvanizing Co. Duncan Galvanizing Corp. |
| 1998 | Barry P. Dugan | Zinc Corporation of America |
| 2001 | Edgar K. Schutz | Zinc Corporation of America |
| 2005 | James A. Cole | Zaclon LLC |
| 2011 | James B. Jones | Metalplate Galvanizing |
| 2012 | Edwin Schlotzhauer | Integrated Zinc Trading |
| 2017 | Robert M. Woods | Zaclon LLC |
| 2019 | Stephen Wilkinson | International Zinc Association (IZA) |
| 2020 | Philip G. Rahrig | American Galvanizers Association (AGA) |
| 2021 | Dr. Frank Goodwin | International Zinc Association (IZA) |
| 2024 | Daniel Bever Rick Cornish |
Duncan Galvanizing Corp. Valmont Coatings |
Daniel M. Hubbell Memorial Award
The Daniel M. Hubbell Memorial Award honors the legacy of one of the AGA’s most active and motivating members. Mr. Hubbell passed away unexpectedly in 2011, and to honor his memory and dedication to both the AGA and the industry, this award recognizes anyone who goes above and beyond their call of duty in the following ways to positively impact the hot-dip galvanizing industry:
- Dedication to AGA initiatives above and beyond expectations
- Passionate service as a steward of the association and industry
- Leadership role of AGA or other member movements to grow and/or advance the industry
- Inspire and cultivate collaboration amongst AGA members
- Commitment to develop, improve, and support AGA programs
- Tireless effort to convert projects from other systems to hot-dip galvanizing
Past Hubbell Award Winners
| Year | Winner(s) | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Dale Williams | AZZ Galvanizing |
| 2014 | Terry Wolfe | Voigt & Schweitzer, Inc. |
| 2015 | David Prior | Galvan Industries |
| 2016 | William E. Acra | AZZ Galvanizing |
| 2017 | Tommy Rose | Metalplate Galvanizing |
Emerging Leader in Galvanizing (New)
The Emerging Leader in Galvanizing Award recognizes rising professionals in the hot-dip galvanizing industry who demonstrate exceptional enthusiasm and engagement within the American Galvanizers Association (AGA). This award celebrates both new and experienced individuals who have more recently begun making meaningful contributions to the AGA community and demonstrate potential for leadership. Recipients are typically active participants in TechForum and other association initiatives, including TSC subcommittees, task forces, and other AGA working groups. They bring a collaborative spirit to discussions, contribute constructively to knowledge-sharing, and embody a forward-looking commitment to the industry’s growth and innovation.
*Nomination form coming soon*
Past Emerging Leaders in Galvanizing
| Year | Winner(s) | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Barrow Way Award (Archived)
The Barrow Way Award was inspired by the Barrow family’s century-long leadership at Columbiana Boiler Company and honored operations employees who embody the Barrow values of integrity, dedication, and community spirit. Recipients were recognized for their exceptional skill, work ethic, and commitment to quality, benefiting both their organization and the industry.
This award was presented to individuals who demonstrate outstanding pride in their work, uphold high ethical standards, and contribute meaningfully to their company and the broader community.
Past Barrow Way Award Winners
| Year | Winner(s) | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Paul E. Shope | V&S Columbus Galvanizing |
| 2016 | Elias Jimenez | AZZ Galvanizing - Plymouth |
| 2017 | Patrick (Pat) Fordham | AZZ Galvanizing |
| 2018 | Roy Polasek | Southwest Galvanizing |