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May 5, 2006 –
Jon K. Tabor, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Allied Mineral Products,
Inc., Columbus, Ohio, is presented the 2006 William T. Tredennick Award.
The Refractories Institute (TRI) Board of Directors established this award
three years ago to honor individuals who have made a significant and
lasting contribution to the refractories community and The Refractories
Institute. The award is named for long-time TRI board member Bill
Tredennick whose lifetime of service to, and support for, the refractory
industry is legend. Previous recipients of this recognition are the late
Dr. Robert Moore and former TRI Chairman George Taylor.
The Refractories
Institute Board of Directors unanimously voted to recognize Jon with the
Tredennick Award for a number of important reasons. First, among many, is
Jon’s steadfast support of TRI. He served on the Board of Directors, the
Executive Committee, and had successful terms as Treasurer, Vice Chairman,
and Chairman of the Institute. Jon’s term as Chairman is especially
notable for two significant achievements.
First, during Jon’s
tenure, he directed the Institute as it switched the way it assessed
dues. Previously, dues had been assessed based on annual payroll. Jon
oversaw the switch to a determination of dues rates based on annual
sales. As it turns out, this was not just administrative tinkering.
Rather, it may have indeed been the salvation of TRI. Without the change
in the assessment procedure, TRI may not have been able to weather the
massive consolidation of the last decade and the recession of 2001.
Because of that action, back in the early 90’s, TRI was financially
solvent when the crunch came and well equipped to move ahead.
The second thing that
happed on Jon’s watch at TRI was that a new relationship was forged with
our Associate members. It was Jon who saw that all membership
classifications – manufacturers, suppliers, and installers – ultimately
sink or swim together, and it was Jon that insisted that the Associates be
given a bigger role in Institute governance and be recognized for their
critical contribution to the well-being of the refractories industry.
What Jon Tabor did for
TRI is reason enough to warrant this recognition, but Jon has received
this honor for much more. For example, it is no surprise when you go to
industry meetings – UNITECR, ASTM C-8, the Refractory Ceramic Division of
ACerS – you almost always find a representative from Allied Mineral
Products at the table. Not only does Jon support the industry, he
encourages his employees and coworkers to do the same. You can be sure
that right now an Allied staffer has an ASTM, ACerS, or UNITECR project or
his or her desk, and probably more than one.
We should also note that
Jon Tabor looks out for his employees. Allied was one of the first
companies to establish an ESOP, making Allied employees partners in the
success of the company. Also, the safety award that Allied received last
year is another tangible demonstration of the commitment that Jon Tabor
has to his co-workers.
Jon’s support of the
industry is reflected as well in his support for his alma mater, Alfred
University. His service to that school has been, and continues to be, in
the greatest tradition of William. T. Tredennick and we commend him for
that.
Finally, Jon is
recognized as a man of vision and foresight. Jon Tabor was one of the
first to understand that the refractories industry was going to be a
global industry. Allied was one of the trailblazers to China, and at the
same time established a presence in Europe, South Africa, and beyond. It
was also Jon Tabor who promoted a stronger and lasting relationship with
ALAFAR and our Latin American friends.
Jon stands as an example
to the members of TRI as to what we should all aspire to be. He is
thanked for his support and his efforts on behalf of the refractories
industry and the refractories community is a better place for having Jon
Tabor in it. |
