(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) has named Rocky Paulson, Eddie Raymond and Bill Sapsis as the first recipients of its newly established Frank Stewart Volunteer of the Year Awards for their work in developing the ETCP rigging certifications. Paulson, Raymond and Sapsis, serve as tri-chairs of the Rigging Skills Working Group, leaders of the Subject Matter Experts, and members of the ETCP Council .
The award was created to honor Stewart, who has served as the only treasurer ESTA has had, and for his “incomparable service to the Association during the last 18 years,” said ESTA Executive Director Lori Rubinstein. “This award recognizes extraordinary effort by a volunteer or group of volunteers during the previous year,” she explained
The award was given during ESTA’s annual dinner on November 10 in Orlando. Glenn Becker, ESTA’s first president, told the crowd, “For most of us, life, as we have become accustomed to, is about to end. Our Treasurer for Life is hanging up his Stetson and riding his motorcycle off into the sunset. Frank Stewart will be sorely missed. Frank is the epitome of what this Association stands for, the mutual benefit of its members. No one has volunteered more of his or her time, talents and personal funds than Frank Stewart. No one in ESTA, past or present, has not been touched by Frank’s wisdom, and future members will be assured of a firm foundation that was inspired by Frank.”
Immediate past president Mike Wood, in presenting the awards, said, “Rocky, Eddie and Bill led by example in creating this landmark program for the entertainment industry. Their work is a perfect example of how a group can focus their collective energy, expertise and knowledge. They played a major role in making the whole SME experience a positive one for their fellow volunteers. They have made themselves extraordinarily available and responsive to staff, hired professionals and their fellow volunteers. They have acted as true tri-chairs, sharing workload and decisions and interfacing seamlessly. They are perfect volunteers.” — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
