MAMF Holds Annual Awards Celebration

The Masters’ Association of Metal Finishing (MAMF) Annual Awards Celebration was Saturday, April 2, at the Chart House, Weehawken, N.J.

The MAMF honored Past President Lina De La Cruz for her service as two term President of the MAMF. In addition, the MAMF awarded its first educational scholarship to Kayla Matari whose grandmother is an employee of Little Falls Alloys, Patterson, NJ. Kayla received $2,500 towards her collegiate plans of becoming a nurse.

The 2022 MAMF Scholarship is a significant award, given in honor of Stephen V. Candiloro, Jr. [known to his friends as JR]. Candiloro championed the importance and dedication to continued education in the metal finishing industry.

In addition, the MAMF posthumously presented Candiloro the Claude Blaser Memorial Award, the highest Award of the MAMF. An honoree of this award is someone whose lifetime accomplishments exceed the requirements of any award customarily bestowed by the MAMF. This award has only been presented four times previously (to Jeff Hannapel, Bob Sica, David Norwine, and Herb Tilton).

MAMF Vice President Robert Chabot noted, “The evening was very special for our association. We gathered to not only celebrate accomplishments, but also to pay tribute to a dear departed friend who meant so much to each of us individually and was a stalwart of the MAMF.”

MAMF Past President and NASF Past President, Paul Brancato remarked, “Giving out the Award with Bob to [JR’s] family was very emotional to me. Having a number of key Epner employees really brought home to me all that JR meant to me and Epner as a whole. He is missed to this day almost 2 years later.”

The Claude Blaser Award was presented to Stephen “JR” Candiloro for his leadership, friendship, humility, and good fellowship to all surface finishers throughout his lifetime of service to the Masters’ Association of Metal Finishers and the Industry.

For more information about the MAMF and a full list of sponsors, visit metalfinishers.org.