Helmsing has served on the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association Board since 1995, becoming its Chairman for 2002-2004. During his chairmanship, Helmsing began a successful workshop series that educates awning manufacturers nation-wide.
Motonobu Nohmura was nominated for his exemplary service to the specialty fabrics industry. Nohmura has been a part of the specialty fabrics industry for over 35 years, building the global operation of Taiyo Kogyo Corp.
He currently serves as the Honorary Chairman of IFAI Japan. In 1995, Nohmura was awarded the Chairman's Award of Merit by IFAI for his work to develop and establish the IFAI Japan country sector, where he has served as from chairman 1994-2006; and in early 2007 he was appointed to Honorary Chairman.
Nohmura has also served on the IFAI Board of Directors, first appointed to fill a vacant position in 1994, and then elected to two additional three-year terms as an Active Director.
Darlene Miller, MFC, was nominated by Glenn Wood, of Coastal Canvas Products Co. Miller co-owns Sunmaster of Naples, Naples, Fla, which joined IFAI in 1977; and she has been active in the industry for over 30 years.
Miller served on IFAI's Professional Awning Manufacturers Association Steering Committee from the late 1980s-early 1990s, and has frequently served as a speaker during IFAI events and seminars, as well as other organizations' seminars.
Miller holds the Master Fabric Craftsman certification for phases including awning production, sales and pricing, and her company has won 47 IFAI Awards of Excellence in the International Achievement Awards competition since 1978. She helped grow her business from a small three-person operation to an employer of over 50 personnel.
Gerry Power was nominated by Steve Toth, The Astrup Co, who describes Power as, "Hard-working, kind-hearted, and well-respected in the industrial fabric markets."
For over 40 years Power has been active in the industry and a member of IFAI for over 20 years. Power has worked to promote and develop the IFAI Canada country sector of IFAI, and was part of the group that introduced a Swedish line of retractable awnings into Canada.
Under his watch, Power's company Trican Corp, has developed into one of the leading distributors to multiple fabric industries in Canada.
Steve Warner, president, IFAI, said, "It is our dedicated members who have built our association into the vibrant international community it has become, and we are pleased to recognize those who have played an irreplaceable role in developing our association, our trade shows, events and magazines to serve them as effectively as possible.
Each one of these six new Honored Life Members are leaders in the specialty fabrics industry and we are proud to have worked with them."
Honored Life Members receive a complementary lifetime IFAI individual membership which includes a subscription to the Industrial Fabric Products Review magazine, recognition through the Chairman's Gala at IFAI Expo, and their name in the annual IFAI Membership Directory.
Industrial Fabrics Association International
marketing@alchempro.com
