FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Las Vegas, NV – IFE 2024 is honored to unveil the latest inductee into the prestigious Fastener Hall of Fame and the recipient of the Young Fastener Professional of the Year award. These honors celebrate exceptional contributions to the fastener industry and recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication.

Fastener Hall of Fame Inductee: Carmen Vertullo, Carver Labs

The 2024 Fastener Hall of Fame inductee, Carmen Vertullo, is celebrated for his extensive contributions to the fastener industry as an engineer, consultant, teacher, and mentor.

Carmen has been a fastener consultant and trainer for over 30 years. After 10 years in fastener distribution and quality he founded Carver Labs and the Carver FACT2 Center (Fastening Applications Consulting Testing and Training).

His expertise covers the areas of Fastener Quality, Fastener Failure Investigation, Expert Witness Work, Hydrogen Embrittlement, Structural Bolting, Bolted Joint Analysis and Fastener Design.

He is a member of several fastener technical committees including the ASTM F16 Fastener Technical Committee, the ASME B18 Fastener Standards Committee, the ISO TC2 Fastener Technical Committee Canadian Delegation, the Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC), and the AISC Stainless Steel Structures Committee.  Carmen is a founding presenter of the Fastener Training Institute’s (FTI) acclaimed Certified Fastener Specialist Training Program (CFS), and he is the 2023 recipient of the NFDA’s Fastener Professional of the Year Award.

Carmen owns Carver Labs with his wife, Lois. They are both US Air Force Veterans and met in the Air Force in 1976. They live and work in San Diego, CA and have two grown kids – Bob and Teri. Bob is a US Army Combat Medic and Teri works as a Security Executive for a large distribution company.

Carmen’s dedication to improving fastener standards and mentoring future experts is unparalleled. His forward-thinking approach and deep industry knowledge make him a true asset to the fastener community.

“We are honored to welcome Carmen into the Fastener Hall of Fame,” said Morgan Wilson, IFE Show Director. “His dedication and contributions have significantly shaped the fastener industry, and his legacy will inspire future generations.”

Young Fastener Professional of the Year: Jake Glaser, Sherex Fastening Solutions

Jake Glaser currently works with Sherex Fastening Solutions. He graduated from the University at Buffalo with a BA in Communication, concentrating in Interpersonal Communication. After graduating, he joined Sherex Fastening Solutions in 2014. His first role was as a Customer Service Representative, handling national and international accounts. In 2015, he was promoted to Strategic Account Representative, which led him to relocate from Buffalo, NY, to Sacramento, CA, to support the company’s West Coast customers. By 2016, he took on the role of Technical Sales Representative, focusing on growth in the Pacific Northwest and specializing in the Heavy Truck Market. In 2017, he became the Regional Sales Manager for the Western Territories, a role he proudly holds today, where he manages territory growth and key accounts both nationally and internationally.

Jake has been actively involved in industry associations, attending Pac-West and NFDA programs since 2016, along with FTI, YFP, and other educational opportunities. He joined YFP in 2017 and served as its President from 2019 to 2022. He is excited to continue supporting the industry as a current NFDA Board of Directors member since 2022.

Outside of work, Jake is an adrenaline junkie with a passion for snowboarding, volleyball, paddle boarding, and hot yoga. He enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and camping in Colorado. He is also an avid reader, with favorite authors like James Clavell and Michael Crichton. Travel is a way of life for him, and he loves spending his downtime with friends and his adventure dog, King.

“Jake personifies the future of the fastener industry,” said Morgan Wilson, IFE Show Director. “His passion, ingenuity, and leadership are remarkable, and we are excited to see his continued impact and success in the fastener industry.”

The awards will be presented at the IFE 2024 Awards Ceremony, held on Tuesday, September 10 from 3:00PM-4:00PM at the Expo Hall Session Stage. This event is a prime opportunity for industry leaders, professionals, and innovators to come together, celebrate achievements, and discuss the future of the fastener industry.

About the International Fastener Expo

The International Fastener Expo (IFE) is North America’s most extensive business-to-business trade show for all types of fasteners, machinery & tooling, and other industrial products, catering to every level of the supply chain. Held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, the event consists of a conference program presented by endorsing fastener associations and a show floor with hundreds of exhibitors from around the world. Learn more and register at: www.fastenershows.com

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