AFSMI Announces 2005 Awards Recipients; Recipients of George O. Harmon, Lifetime Achievement, and Chairman's Awards honored at AFSMI World Conference

Business Wire, Nov 14, 2005

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) announced the 2005 recipients of its prestigious George O. Harmon, Lifetime Achievement, and Chairman's Awards at its World Conference, the 35th S-Business Education Summit and Expo, held October 9-12 in Nashville, Tennessee. The George O. Harmon Award honors individuals in the customer services and support industry who have made significant contributions to their company, the industry, and AFSM International. This year the award went to Robert Yopko, global services consultant, Emerson Electric. "A member of AFSMI for 25 years, Robert Yopko has had an impressive career of growing companies, strengthening services, and expanding a global presence for his employers and the industry," commented John Schoenewald, CEO of AFSMI. In 1995, AFSMI presented Robert Yopko with its "Man of the Year" award.

AFSMI's Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Larry Swaton, president of Swaton & Associates. Mr. Swaton has also been recognized for past contributions; in 1987 AFSMI named him "Professional Service Manager of the Year." Now, his achievements are again recognized for his lifetime of dedication and accomplishment in the services industry. "Larry Swaton has over 50 years of experience in the areas of quality, service, production, sales, marketing, strategic planning, and general management," said John Schoenewald, "and we thank him for his contributions to AFSM International and the industry we represent."

AFSMI also announced its very first "Chairman's Award" this year, with the honors going to Gary Ross, president of Cott Systems. When he joined AFSMI in 1999, Mr. Ross was working with Emerson Electric as president of the European and North America services business. In 2003 he joined Cott Systems where his job was to re-energize a family company that had been founded in 1888. In 2004 he upgraded his membership to a Corporate Membership for Cott Systems. "Gary Ross' personal, solutions-driven leadership style along with a very strong ethical focus have helped him to be an excellent team builder and communicator," said John Schoenewald. "He applied those same skills at AFSMI when he worked with others to form the Ohio Chapter and stepped forward to take on the chapter presidency."

These and other awards were presented on October 11th at a black-tie dinner during AFSMI's 2005 World Conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. This year's conference continued the long tradition of providing AFSMI members and non-members alike with world-class keynote headliners, thought-provoking speakers, in-depth case studies, extensive networking, and an expansive technology showcase of over 80 providers of solutions for the customer services and support industry.

About AFSMI

Founded in 1975, the Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) is a global, not-for-profit, professional society of customer service and support managers and executives committed to s-business excellence. AFSMI is the acknowledged leader in providing the knowledge, fellowship, and career connections that further the personal and professional development of executives, managers, and individuals involved in s-business. For more information or to join AFSM International, visit www.afsmi.org/.> About S-Business

S-business is the industry-standard term developed by AFSM International to describe all of the activities, organizations, and individuals involved with providing customer service and support for technology-based products and solutions.

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