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Engineering Industry Developments and Awards
News Release from: ISA
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 29 July 2004
Pittman to receive Albert F Sperry Award
John Pittman, former President and CEO of the Fieldbus Foundation, will receive the 2004 Albert F Sperry Award from The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society.
John Pittman, former President and CEO of the Fieldbus Foundation, will receive the 2004 Albert F Sperry Award from The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society The Sperry Award is ISA's outstanding achievement award, and recognises exemplary technical, educational or philosophical contributions to the science and technology of instrumentation, systems, and automation
As founding President and CEO of the Fieldbus Foundation, the leading organisation dedicated to a single, interoperable, international fieldbus standard, Pittman was responsible for the foundation's management and operations during its critical early years.
Under his leadership, the Foundation fieldbus protocol was established as an industry-leading technology and approved as an international standard by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Cenelec.
Since his retirement in 2000, Pittman has continued on with the foundation as a consultant on a variety of strategic issues.
"I am honoured to be recognised by my peers in this manner", said Pittman.
"I consider myself very fortunate to have worked, over the course of my career, with many outstanding members of the automation industry".
"Participating in the development and growth of Foundation fieldbus technology was a rewarding personal experience for me, as well as a significant professional milestone".
Pittman's process control and instrumentation career has spanned 35-plus years.
Prior to joining the Fieldbus Foundation, he served as executive director of the Control System Integrator's Association (CSIA) and guided that organisation during its formative stage.
CSIA's membership grew to over 120 control system integrator firms under his leadership.
Pittman's resume also includes: President and General Manager, Computer Products (Process Automation Division); Vice President and General Manager, Hudson Products, for McDermott; Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Bailey Controls, also for McDermott; and General Manager, General Electric (Instrument Transformers).
He has served as Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tri-State University (Angola, Indiana); and member, board of directors, International Standards Foundation, ISA (Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society).
Pittman holds a BSEE degree from Tri-State University and an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College (Berea, Ohio).
In May 2004, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Tri-State University.
Established in 1955, the Albert F Sperry Award is named for Albert F Sperry, who served as ISA's first President and was made an Honorary Member of ISA in 1956.
The award was created to recognise the conception or implementation of fundamental contributions having a profound or significant impact in the broad field of instrumentation, and contributions basic to the growth and development of major advances in the field.
It is to honour those whose achievements are of profound significance to instrumentation, systems, and automation technology.
The award is conferred annually, and carries a $3000 honorarium and plaque.
Presentation of the award will be made at ISA's annual honours and awards programme.
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