Five individuals whose noteworthy contributions to the development and growth of the automatic identification and mobility community merited special recognition were recognized by AIM Global, the association for Automatic Identification and Mobility and its worldwide chapter network during the AIM Industry Awards Gala on April 21 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Chicago, IL. The Richard R. Dilling, Don Percival, Ted Williams, and Excellence in Journalism Awards, the industry's most prestigious awards, are presented annually to individuals or organizations with outstanding vision, initiative or service to the industry.  In addition, AIM North America, a chapter of AIM Global, presented its first AIM Volunteer Service award.

Richard R. Dilling Award

AIM Global awarded its highest honor, the Richard R. Dilling Award, to Rick Schuessler, CTO-Standards, Enterprise Mobility Business of Motorola, Inc., in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the AIDC industry over his 25 year career.  Mr. Schuessler actively participates in standards development through his role in many international standards committees. He has been the chair of AIM's Technical Symbologies Committee (TSC), and is the principal inventor of several bar code symbologies, including MicroPDF417 and TLC39, and has served as an expert witness in support of the intellectual property interests of our industry.

Don Percival Award

AIM Global and SCAN: The Data Capture Report recognized, in absentia, Philipp Blome and Jens Kungl of MGI METRO Group Information Technology GmbH (Germany) with the Don Percival Award, a distinction presented annually to an individual or organization from the user community who has made outstanding contributions to the application of automatic identification and mobility technologies.  Mr. Blome and Mr. Kungl diligently pursued the introduction of RFID at the Metro, Cash and Carry, and Kaufhof stores in Germany and France over the past several years under a truly unique arrangement called the "Solution Team" in which companies from around the world united to solve real world implementation problems for RFID in the retail supply chain.

Ted Williams Award

Dr. Bill Hardgrave, Director of the University of Arkansas Business RFID Research Center, was awarded the Ted Williams Award which is presented in recognition of an educator's and entrepreneur's innovative and exceptional contributions that further the growth of the industry.  Under Dr. Hardgrave's leadership, the RFID Center at the University of Arkansas has undertaken numerous ground-breaking research projects that have provided valuable insights that have quantified and validated the capability and business results that RFID provides to the retail supply chain. 

Excellence in Journalism Award

In recognition of her journalistic excellence and media representation of the automatic identification industry, Laurie Sullivan, editor-in-chief, RF Edge, received the 2009 Excellence in Journalism Award, established by the AIM Global Education and Public Policy committee to recognize a journalist or media representative covering the automatic identification industry whose work exemplifies the qualities of honest, educational and unbiased reporting on the automatic identification and mobility industry.  Through articles, blogs and podcasts in multiple media outlets, coupled with participation as a moderator or panelist at numerous trade shows, Ms. Sullivan has consistently been a journalistic leader in educating the public about AIM-related technologies, their benefits, applications and controversial issues raised by critics.

AIM Volunteer Service Award

Tee Migliori, president, ADC Technologies, was awarded the first AIM Volunteer Service Award for his dedication and service to the AIM Industry.  The Volunteer Service Award honors an individual, organization or business contributing to the advancement of the industry and the AIM community.  Mr. Migliori has been involved in AIM for more than 20 years. He is the immediate past chairperson of AIM North America, has served as a member of the AIM Global board, chairperson of AIM International, and president of AIM, Inc.  He has been instrumental in the establishment of AIM North America. Migliori is actively involved in the Zebra Vision Council, the Datamax-O'Neil Valued Partner Council, and a member of the AIDC 100, as well as a number of other local and national organizations and universities.

According to Dan Mullen, AIM Global president, "This year's recipients exemplify the outstanding work that results when you combine innovation and dedication. Each year, we are pleased to recognize the significant achievements of individuals who impact the industry and highlight their contributions to the growth of the overall automatic identification and mobility marketplace. Their commitment to the industry serves as a benchmark to the next generation of researchers, entrepreneurs and journalists.

About AIM Global
For 35 years, AIM Global has served as the association and worldwide authority on automatic identification, data collection and networking in a mobile environment.  AIM members are providers and users of technologies, systems, and services that capture, manage, and integrate accurate data into larger information systems.  Serving members in 43 countries, AIM is dedicated to accelerating the growth and use of Automatic Identification and Mobility technologies and services around the world.

As part of its educational outreach, AIM Global publishes "RFID Connections" and AIM Connections," the industry's oldest and most respected e-newsletters on RFID and AIM technology solutions.  For more information on AIM Global, its technologies and its members, please visit www.aimglobal.org or www.rfid.org.