MINNEAPOLIS – Rich Freiberger received the SMTA Founder’s Award last month, the organization’s highest individual honor. SMTA presented the award, given for exceptional service to the association and the industry, on Sept. 29 during its annual SMTAI conference in Rosemont, IL.
 
An SMTA director from 1995 through 2001, Freiberger oversaw the Academy program, EAE (Electronics Assembly Expo), Emerging Technologies, and the Philadelphia, Boston and Dallas SMTA chapters. He was instrumental in assisting the association with the reformation of the Silicon Valley chapter. The Founders Award was one of five citations issued during the conference.
 
Kim Hyland received the Member of Distinction Award. Hyland has been a member of SMTA since 1987. He is a Silicon Valley SMTA Technical Program coordinator, SMTA Technical Committee member, iNEMI Technical Committee member and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University industry liaison.
 
The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Tom O’Connor. O’Connor has been a member of the SMTA since 1990 and is currently president of the Capital chapter. 

Dr. Charles E. Bauer received the Excellence in International Leadership Award for his continuous commitment to the association’s international focus. Dr. Bauer served on the SMTA board from 1995 to 2001 as vice president of communications and as a planning committee member. He is founder and general chair of the SMTA Pan Pacific Microelectronics Symposium and Chairman of the International Development Committee. Dr. Bauer was also chapter president of the SMTA/IMAPS Rocky Mountain chapter.