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The Industrial Fasteners Institute Soaring Eagle Awards recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to the fastener manufacturing industry or the industries served. Contributions shall have advanced the stature, technology and/or application engineering of fasteners and formed parts, provided leadership to the industry in critical times or supplied a service to the industry above and beyond the normal call from a position. These contributions enrich the posture of the North American fastener industry.

An awards reception and formal dinner on the evening of March 15, 2011 honored this year's winners at the St. Regis Monarch Beach, Dana Point, CA as part of IFI's 79th Annual Meeting. The awards categories are as follows:

This Year's Honorees
Recipients of the program awards as announced during the March 15, 2011 IFI Annual Meeting reception/dinner at the St. Regis Monarch Beach, Dana Point, CA were as follows:

LEADERSHIP AWARD presented to George J. Grabner in recognition as an outstanding leader, providing vision, guidance, and resolve in the timely resolution of strategic issues challenging the mechanical fastener industry and providing an example of what all future industry leaders should seek to become.  Mr. Grabner was unable to be present at the banquet in Dana Point, CA, and his son John Grabner, President of Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co. accepted on his behalf sharing a video acceptance by his father. Mr. Grabner was the Chairman and CEO of Lamson & Sessions and Chairman of the IFI 1976-77.

TECHNOLOGY AWARD presented to Frank Cosenza in recognition of his significant contributions to the advancement of fastener technology and the pool of knowledge related to the design, manufacturing, and/or application of mechanical fasteners and formed parts. Mr. Cosenza was a senior engineering manager with Alcoa Fasteners, and holds many patents for fastener products.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD posthumously to Daniel P. Haerther for his many years of valuable service to the Industrial Fasteners Institute, enabling the Institute to fulfill its mission of continually providing dedicated service to the mechanical fastener manufacturers of North America. Mr. Haerther was the Chairman of the Semblex Corporation and supported  Semblex employees’ very active participation in the IFI. Don Cunningham, President of Semblex Corporation, accepted on the recipient's behalf.