NAIMA Announces Recipient of Harvel Smith Lifetime Achievement Award

Alexandria, VA (September 24, 2003) - The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) announced that Eric G. Schakel of Johns Manville has been awarded the Harvel Smith Lifetime Achievement Award.  The award, named for the late Harvel Smith of Johns Manville, recognizes individual contributions in developing performance and energy efficiency standards for fiber glass air duct insulations, and promoting the use of fiber glass air handling insulations, in particular fiber glass duct board, to save energy and enhance the indoor environment.  The award was presented at a meeting of NAIMAÕs Air Handling Committee, which Mr. Schakel chairs.

Schakel, who has been with Johns Manville for 17 years, has made a number of significant contributions to the insulation industry. He is a true believer in the proper design, fabrication and installation of fiber glass duct systems.  "They are the best combination of performance, durability and end user value available in air distribution systems for HVAC applications," he said.  "As a 3rd generation sheet metal worker, I say that with the experience of having installed other duct materials."

Schakel is the current chairman of NAIMA's Air Handling Operating Committee and serves on NAIMA's Air Handling Training Committee.

"Eric has served the industry in a number of key ways and is well respected by his colleagues and competitors through his work at NAIMA and throughout the industry," said Ken Mentzer, president and CEO of NAIMA. "We rely heavily on big thinkers like Eric to help this mature industry continue to innovate."