Technical Standards Program Volunteers Recognized for Service

	Richard Nix and Bill Sapsis, president of Sapsis Rigging Inc.

PLASA's Technical Standards Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the second annual Above & Beyond Awards designed to recognize outstanding Technical Standards Program volunteers. The awards celebrate those volunteers that have made a significant contribution or effort that advances the Technical Standards Program. The TSP exists because hundreds of individuals from across the industry volunteer their expertise and significant amounts of time throughout the year to write standards that increase safety, solve problems, and make life easier. These awards are particularly meaningful to the recipients because the nominations are made by their peers within the Technical Standards Program.

The Above & Beyond Awards winners for 2014 are below:

Eric Johnson (Control Protocols Working Group) was nominated as "a rare treasure who can present the most complex subject in a manner that allows the novice to understand without any hint of condescension. Through his involvement in the CPWG's events for manufacturers and developers to test entertainment control products for interoperability ("Plugfests") we have all seen him offering valuable assistance to each and every attendee."

Jason Potterf (Control Protocols Working Group) was cited for being instrumental in the development of the E1.33, Transport of ANSI E1.20 messages in an E1.31 Environment as well as assisting in the organization of web conferences for the Control Protocols Working Group and its task groups.

Richard Nix of Entertainment Structures Group (Rigging Working Group) was nominated for his "tireless work for the Rigging Working Group, the E1.4-1 Manual Counterweight Rigging Task Group, and the Stage Lifts Working Group. His logical, methodical writing style has made our standards more concise and his depth of knowledge is welcomed by all involved."

Larry Schoeneman of Designlab Chicago (Technical Standards Council) was recognized for his tireless efforts to bring in financial support for the Technical Standards Program which is dependent on funding from the industry to carry out its important work.

The awards for service in 2014 were presented during PLASA's meetings during USITT in Cincinnati. These individuals deserve the thanks not only of their colleagues in the Technical Standards Program but of every individual whose workplace is safer or job is easier because of the work they are doing.