AMUG Hands Out DINO Awards

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) presented its DINO (Distinguished INnovator Operator) Award for additive manufacturing expertise and service to five individuals. The new DINOs received their awards during the 36th annual AMUG conference.

AMUG representatives presented the DINO Awards in recognition of tenure in the additive manufacturing industry, years of service, contributions to the industry, and active support of AMUG and its conference.

“This award recognizes not only experience but also character and passion," says Gary Rabinovitz, DINO Selection Committee co-chair and AMUG director at large. "Following a lengthy nomination and review process, the committee selected five deserving individuals from 1,500 attendees of the AMUG Conference.”

“The DINO Selection Committee carefully considers each nomination for a DINO, ensuring the prerequisites for this award are met and actions are representative of the qualities of an AMUG Distinguished INnovator Operator,” says Shannon VanDeren, DINO Selection Committee co-chair and AMUG president.

The newly named DINOs are:

• Jamie Cone, BD
• Steve Grundahl, Prototek
• Thomas Murphy, New Jersey Innovation Institute—COMET
• Vadim Pikhovich, MAGMA Foundry Technologies
• Bob Renella, GoEngineer

The new DINOs have played varied roles in making the AMUG Conference a positive experience for those seeking insights, information, and connections, according to AMUG. Although their contributions are many, the selection committee cited the key activities on which the DINO Awards were presented.

For Jamie Cone, it is her 6 years of service as a vice president, Volunteer Committee chair and Expo Committee member. Vadim Pikhovich and Bob Renella were selected for their track leader and workshop coordinator roles in metal casting and 3D scanning.

DINOs from the past 26 years gathered to celebrate the 2024 AMUG Conference. Image courtesy of AMUG.

Thomas Murphy was selected for his many years of volunteering as a member of the Scholarship Committee and Expo Committee. Steve Grundahl was recognized for his unwavering support of AMUG, most notably through his allocation of volunteers’ time as AMUG Board and committee members.

“From her first day in additive and her first AMUG conference, Jamie Cone demonstrated the passion that began this organization many years ago," said Larry Monahan, Jamie Cone’s manager at BD. "Through her innovative spirit and active contribution to AMUG, her DINO is well-earned and deserved.”

Giles Gaskell, Track Leader Committee member, when presenting the award to Bob Renella, said “He has done everything asked of him, and more, to support the growth of the scanning and metrology track, over many years and without asking for thanks or recognition." 

“The committee’s consideration of candidates continues at a regular cadence for the months leading up to the AMUG Conference to ensure careful investigation and recognition of our peers who are doing great things in the industry,” added VanDeren. 

In recognition of the efforts by the selection committee, Rabinovitz added, “Thank you to the AMUG DINO Selection Committee for the volunteer efforts and commitment in selecting the five most recent Distinguished INnovator Operators.”

Rabinovitz noted that over 60 DINOs were present at AMUG 2024, and 40% of all DINOs attended AMUG 2023 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the DINO Award. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.