LAS VEGAS, Nevada – International Fastener Expo (IFE), North America’s largest expo for every type of fastener, machinery/tooling and other industrial-related products, celebrates the recipients of the 2020 Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional of the Year Awards, which annually honor professionals who have made significant contributions to the fastener industry. For 2020, the award winners were announced during IFE’s digital event, Match & Meet by IFE, which took place on November 11 – 12, 2020.
John Wachman, Desert Distribution and Tim O’Keeffe, G.L. Huyett were inducted into the 2020 Hall of Fame, and Jessi Solt of G.L. Huyett was selected as the 2020 Young Fastener Professional of the Year. The Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional of the Year Awards recognize those who have made lasting inputs to the fastener industry on a national or global scale, and leaders, 40 years old or younger, who already have an unimpeachable record of integrity and respect in the industry, respectively.
John Wachman’s fastener career began in the mid-1970s as a sales and product manager for Gesipa Fasteners, covering the eastern and midwestern U.S. After stints as a sales manager for Cherry Textron and VP of OEM Operations at Copper State Bolt & Nut, he created Desert Distribution Sales LLC in 2001. He is a board member of the Fastener Industry Coalition and was heavily involved in developing the Fastener Training Institute. Wachman’s guidance and insights expanded the FTI into an internationally recognized organization that continues to benefit the fastener industry.
Tim O’Keeffe acquired G.L. Huyett in 1992. He quickly improved the company by incorporating technology, adding a pick-&-pack system, publishing the first catalog and introducing G.L. Huyett’s first employee benefits package. These new initiatives have transformed how distributors manage their inventory, while increasing profits. O’Keeffe was the associate chair of the National Fastener Distributors Association from 2008-2009 and is known throughout the industry as someone who is willing and excited to share his knowledge with others.
Jessi Solt, Customer Experience Leader for G.L. Huyett, was named the 2020 Young Fastener Professional. Since starting her fastener career at G.L. Huyett in 2014, she has consistently been recognized as a rising star within the industry and is active at IFE in Las Vegas each year. Jessi was instrumental in helping the Young Fastener Professionals (YFP) organization gain visibility and evolve to become a newly integrated part of the National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA).
For more information about the award winners and IFE, please visit fastenershows.com.
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About International Fastener Expo
The International Fastener Expo (IFE) is the largest and most diverse gathering of fastener and industrial professionals in North America. Founded in 1981 it serves all reaches of the supply chain, from manufacturer to distributor to OEMs, and features nearly 70 product categories. With over 650 vendors and more than 5,000 attendees from 30+ nations, the International Fastener Expo delivers industry‐leading content and facilitates vital industry connections at their annual three‐day show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the entertainment and trade show capital of North America. International Fastener Expo is owned and produced by Emerald. For more information on IFE, visit fastenershows.com.
About Emerald
Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers’ businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, please visit: www.emeraldx.com.
