Tag: Gold Obelisk

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

David Takes

Expressions Engraved

St. Joseph, Missouri

David Takes is the kind of volunteer every association hopes for. David helped found and continues to moderate the awards and engraving industry’s leading online forum, Member2Member (M2M). If you’ve ever asked a question on the APA’s M2M Forum, chances are he was among the first to respond. He steps in with thoughtful, detailed, and practical guidance, helping members locate products, solve problems, and move forward with confidence. David’s spirit of service reflects a deep commitment not just to the APA, but to the welfare of our industry as a whole.

SPEAKER OF THE YEAR

Justin R. Varn, Awards4U

Tallahassee, Florida

Justin R. Varn is recognized as helping lead our industry forward in the age of AI, identifying what’s changing and giving our members practical ways to adapt with confidence. Time and again, attendees say Justin turns confusion into clarity and uncertainty into confidence. Through governance, day-to-day operational credibility, and member-focused teaching, he has earned respect the right way, by doing the work. Justin is not only a strong educator but a meaningful voice for where our industry is headed. 

OUTSIDE SALES REP
OF THE YEAR

Cliff Smith, PDU CAT

Bartlett, Tennessee 

Cliff Smith promotes the awards and engraving community the way the very best do, by always being there. His big smile and warm personality show up in person, and somehow you can even hear it over the phone. Clients know they can count on Cliff, and his commitment extends beyond business. His excellence is grounded in decades of experience. That combination of deep knowledge, integrity, responsiveness, and genuine care is what makes him exceptional. This is not just an outside sales representative, but a true industry partner. 

CUSTOMER SERVICE REP
OF THE YEAR

Jocelyn Macaraeg
Marco Awards Group

South Windsor, Connecticut

Jocelyn Macaraeg represents the very best of customer service and industry partnership. Day in and day out, she promotes the awards and engraving industry through deep product knowledge and a genuine commitment to helping customers find exactly what they need. She’s an advocate for our industry community, often pointing customers to the APA as a trusted resource for continued learning and growth. With professionalism, product expertise, and proactive service, Jocelyn’s a trusted partner and a true asset to the awards and personalization industry.

FOUNDERS AWARD

Debbie Susdorf, NetSoft Studios

Las Vegas, Nevada

Debbie Susdorf’s passion for this industry and for the APA is unmistakable. She brings exceptional attention to detail, thoughtful organization, and reliable follow-through to every role she undertakes, always with the betterment of the APA in mind. Debbie served as chair of the ARIEF Silent Auction Committee for 2026 and serves on the APA Board of Directors and the APA Membership Committee. She is deeply invested in the success of both retailers and suppliers and embodies the vision of the APA founders and strengthens the APA community through her dedication, generosity, and heart. 

SMALL BUSINESS RETAILER
OF THE YEAR 

Perry Design

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Perry Design of Tulsa, Oklahoma, proves that small businesses can make a powerful impact. Guided by the belief that a handshake signals respect, presence, and intention, they prioritize face-to-face connection and genuine community engagement. After attending their first APA International Personalization Expo, they leaned in fully by embracing education, building networks, enrolling in certification, and committing to ongoing learning—not asking what the association could do for them, but how they could grow alongside it. Their vision, professionalism, and commitment to excellence are anything but small. They embody innovation, intentional growth, and community leadership that point to the future of our industry. 

LARGE RETAILER OF THE YEAR 

Awards by Walsh’s & 

Creative Marketing 

Cohoes, New York

Awards by Walsh’s & Creative Marketing is a company that truly lives its promise: “We can do it all.” Anchored by a 2,500-square-foot showroom, they showcase the full spectrum of recognition and branded solutions, inviting clients to see craftsmanship up close from engraving and UV printing to embroidery and sandblasting. Powered by solar panels, they pair innovation with sustainability, and they live their values with urgency, professionalism, and teamwork. They’ve engaged with the APA for decades, and they invest just as deeply in their community. They’ve raised nearly $27,000 for disaster relief, supported youth sports and veterans, and strengthened local initiatives.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Southern Trophy House

Nashville, Tennessee

The President’s Award recognizes individuals or teams who go above and beyond in service to the APA, and the staff of Southern Trophy House played an essential role in enabling their leader to serve as APA president, stepping up at every turn to ensure that both the business and the association continued to thrive. They created the space and stability needed for national-level leadership, demonstrating flexibility, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. This award recognizes the entire staff of Southern Trophy House, whose dedication, resilience, and behind-the-scenes contributions made a meaningful impact on the APA and the broader industry.

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR—SINGLE LOCATION

R.B. Fabrication

Orange, California

R.B. Fabrication is a long-standing specialist in crystal clear acrylic recognition, serving hundreds of retail partners for more than three decades. Their catalog spans a wide range of sizes and configurations that help customers match specifications and minimize stock gaps. The company’s work is widely associated with clean aesthetics suited to corporate recognition and special-event needs. Production is anchored by in-house CNC routing, CO₂-laser cutting, and full-color UV printing, enabling custom shapes, polished laser-cut edges, and detailed color artwork on acrylic across multiple thicknesses. Across the board, the emphasis at R.B. Fabrication is on precision, consistent finish quality, and dependable fulfillment.

HALL OF FAME

Barry Dyas, J.Charles

Erlanger, Kentucky

Barry Dyas helped define what our association stands for. Through creativity, vision, and unwavering drive, Barry elevated recognition from a simple token into enduring art, setting a higher bar for craftsmanship, balance, and design and reshaping how awards are perceived, presented, and valued across our industry. A natural connector and mentor, Barry has built community through generosity and care, investing in people as thoughtfully as in product. As he transitions stewardship to the next generation, his legacy remains firmly woven into the fabric of our field.

HALL OF FAME

John Calcote, PDU CAT

Bartlett, Tennessee 

John Calcote’s journey began in the late 1960s when he and a childhood friend purchased an engraving machine and soon after opened a trophy shop in the small town of Natchez, Mississippi. After operating both retail and wholesale, they pivoted to focus exclusively on the wholesale market in 1973. Under John’s guidance, a retail foundation evolved into a cornerstone supplier presence, supporting APA members at scale while remaining grounded in service. John’s influence extends far beyond a single company, shaping a tradition of service and excellence that continues to guide our industry.