Industry Awards - Hall of Fame
We are fortunate to have so many inspirational people in our industry who work tirelessly to create a better community and industry. That is why we honor those who have supported others each year at the former Electronics Reuse Conference and now eSummit!
Past winners
About the Awards
The Jim Lynch (HOF) Award
In recognition of selfless service to the Electronics Reuse Industry and those whose livelihoods depend on it, each year we proudly welcome one or more individuals to the Hall of Fame. Named after the Co-Founder of what would eventually become the Electronics Reuse Conference, Jim Lynch Award winners represent the very best among us; those who set the example for what an E-Reuse professional should aspire to be.
The Innovation Award
The Innovation Award recognizes individuals whose commitment to shattering norms and thinking outside the box has had a positive impact on the Electronics Reuse Industry, and the individuals and businesses who are part of it, whether in the areas of business, technology, or beyond.
The Rising Star Award
The Rising Star (formerly “Newcomer”) Award recognizes recent additions to the E-Reuse Industry who quickly come to represent the attitude and character we want to define our community. The Rising Star Award winners demonstrate personal and professional character and maturity extending beyond their own experience. They exemplify the sort of individuals we look forward to seeing drive our industry forward for many years.
2024
Billy Johnson - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Billy Johnson a longtime ReMA staff member and industry pillar passed away Saturday, Sept. 28, at his home in Alexandria, Va. He was 61.
William (Billy) Harrison Johnson was born Jan. 14, 1963, in Alexandria. He earned a B.A. in political science/public administration from North Carolina State University. He supported his alma mater by serving on the Dean’s Board and on the Advisory Board for the School of Public and International Affairs. Billy and his wife Tracy established the William H. Johnson and Tracy Schario Johnson Endowment to benefit the school. Billy went on to earn a Master of Public Administration and Public Policy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
An accomplished government relations executive and mentor, he was a masterful public policy expert, advocate and fundraiser. For the last 20 years, he was a highly respected and much-loved ISRI/ReMA staffer, most recently serving as the association’s Chief Lobbyist.
Among his many distinctions, Billy was named a Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics in 2021. And, in 2022, North Carolina State University chose him as its Humanities and Social Sciences Distinguished Alumnus.
Billy was an avid sailor who loved luxury cars, hotel bathrobes, an icy martini, and fine food. He cherished his life at Antidote, the waterfront home he and Tracy enjoyed on Virginia’s Northern Neck. He entertained their guests as grill master, oyster roaster, cocktail connoisseur, and the unofficial “wine ambassador” of the William Harrison winery. Billy and Tracy sailed the creeks and tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay on Invictus and Miss GoGo and enjoyed golf, burning yard debris, leisurely sunsets, and stargazing. He is known for his Wolfpack fervor, compelling conversation and storytelling, buoyant optimism, and his abiding love for family, friends, and country.
We thank ReMA and the Gulf Coast Region for this beautiful tribute.
Gay Gordon-Byrne - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
The Repair Association is the new name of The Digital Right to Repair Coalition and reflects our growth and mission serving the industry of independent technology repair.
Anyone engaged in repair of technology products has common problems and common interests. We support a variety of networked communities through member benefits such as access to tools, testing equipment, supplies, education and certifications. Members also form the backbone of our legislative advocacy.
The Repair Association has been instrumental in fighting for the right to repair in the Congress and in States. It was our team that won the right to unlock cell phones, including having to muscle a bill through Congress. It is our team that won multiple exemption requests in front of the US Copyright Office to unlock cell phones tablets and other mobile devices. It was our deliberate plan to file copyright exemption requests to allow tinkering with land-based motor vehicles on behalf of modern agriculture.
We have created and promoted Fair Repair and Digital Right to Repair bills in 4 states this year. New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Nebraska are all in various stages of consideration. This is the same state by state strategy that secured consumers of cars and trucks the right to repair following one legislative victory.
Anyone that owns even a single gadget with a chip has a reason to get involved.
Petri Hayrynen - The Innovation Award
Petri Hayrynen, Global Head of Product Marketing, Human Mobile Devices (HMD). As the Global Head of Product Marketing, Petri has been integral in shaping how Human Mobile Devices challenges the status quo in the ultra-competitive mobile tech market. Petri is a big advocate of designing for repairability and building more responsible product roadmaps and has almost 20 years of experience in the industry with brands like Apple and Nokia.
Billy Marion - The Rising Star Award
Billy Marion, ASCDI. Focused on pushing for a sustainable, earth-friendly secondary IT market. Helping to guide technology service providers, resellers, and ITADs to a more eco-conscious process and mindset.
2023
Mike Watson - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Mike Watson has dedicated over 30 years to shaping the electronics reuse and recycling industry. Currently retired, he serves as a Board Member for Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), an ANSI-accredited Standards Development Organization for the R2 Standard.
Starting his career in technology at Texas Monthly in 1983, Mike later led a significant financial systems overhaul at Dell in the 1990s. He then spearheaded Dell's global environmental programs for 10 years, transforming the company into the #1 Greenest Company in Corporate America by 2010.
In his role as Chief Compliance Officer at Global Resale, Mike managed regulatory compliance, Environmental Health and Safety, and quality management. He played a pivotal role in developing industry standards including the R2 Technical Advisory Council and CTIA's Leadership Council.
Mike's selfless service and contributions to the industry make him an exemplary E-Reuse professional, embodying the values and aspirations of the Jim Lynch Award.
Tony Sciarrotta - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Tony Sciarrotta has been a transformative figure in the electronics reuse and reverse logistics industry for over 35 years. As the current Executive Director and Publisher of the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA), he has elevated the organization into a pivotal platform for third-party service providers in after-sale support.
At RLA since 2016, Tony has been a force in promoting education and best practices within the global reverse logistics industry. His role at RLA is not just administrative; he is a thought leader who speaks at industry conferences around the world, further solidifying RLA's influence.
Before RLA, Tony's work at Philips served as a cornerstone for his expertise. Appointed to focus on reverse logistics issues in 1998, he spearheaded initiatives that reduced returns by over 60%, resulting in $10 million in annual savings. These strategies have become best-in-class industry practices, and they laid the foundation for Tony’s advocacy in electronics reuse.
Tony Sciarrotta's enduring impact at Philips and his transformative leadership at RLA make him a worthy recipient of the 2023 Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award.
Jason Brown - The Innovation Award
Jason Brown, Microsoft's Director of DFX, Design for Service & Repair, is a standout innovator in the Electronics Reuse Industry. With a career at Microsoft spanning over 15 years, Jason has been a pivotal force in transforming the company’s approach to product design with a focus on repairability.
Since taking on his current role in 2017, Jason has led initiatives to create more repairable products and launch Microsoft's new parts ecosystem. His innovative strategies have had a ripple effect, pushing the industry toward a more sustainable and consumer-friendly direction.
Before leading the charge in product repairability, Jason gained comprehensive experience in various roles within Microsoft, from Senior Manager in Product Engineering to Technical Program Manager. His diverse skill set and deep understanding of product engineering and quality management have fueled his groundbreaking work in design for service and repair.
Earlier in his career, Jason honed his technical expertise at companies like Philips Oral Healthcare and Terex Corporation. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for his current role, where he continually challenges industry norms.
Jason Brown's commitment to innovative design and his impact on making electronics more repairable exemplify the spirit of the ERC Innovation Award. His groundbreaking efforts have not only elevated Microsoft's sustainability practices but have also set a new standard for the entire Electronics Reuse Industry.
Nick Fazio - The Rising Star Award
Nick Fazio, the Founder and CEO of Quick Mobile Repair, is a dynamic entrepreneur who has swiftly risen to prominence in the tech repair and electronics reuse industry. With over 11 years of hands-on experience, he embodies the spirit of innovation, customer service, and business acumen that the Rising Star Award celebrates.
Nick's journey began in high school when he founded Quick Mobile Repair. Since its inception, he has transformed it from a startup into a national franchise with over 80 retail locations sold. This rapid expansion testifies to his ability to streamline tech repair processes and develop a business model that not only meets but surpasses customer expectations.
Equally notable is Nick's savvy use of online marketing and social media to attract and retain a broad customer base. This digital engagement strategy has been key to expanding Quick Mobile Repair's national footprint and impact.
In both his personal and professional life, Nick Fazio demonstrates the character and maturity that exemplify the future leaders of the electronics reuse industry. His proactive approach to seeking new opportunities and partnerships positions him as a forward-thinking individual poised to drive the industry for years to come.
Nick Fazio's groundbreaking work and visionary leadership make him an exemplary recipient of the 2023 Electronics Reuse "Rising Star" Award.
2022
Paul Walker - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Paul Walker has spent 35 years in the wireless industry. He currently serves as a Senior Director with Samsung’s North American Customer Service Team where he leads the development of solutions and standards that expand and enrich Customers’ service options.
After serving in the military he started his ‘wireless’ career with Ericsson in 1987 and worked for Motorola and MetroPCS/T-Mobile before moving to Samsung in 2014. He has held leadership positions in manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, procurement, quality, vendor management, and customer service.
Brad Bacigalupi - The Innovation Award
Brad Bacigalupi is the founder and CEO of Red Wolf Technology, a global leader in on-demand solutions for the repair and retail industry. Seeing no mass market solution for scratch repair, Brad began his work in 2020 on the Primo Polishing system, which is the industry's first digital, desktop, smart buff, and polish system. The Primo Polishing System has seen massive interest as consumers are keeping their electronics longer and the secondary market continues to grow rapidly and retailers seek new ways to service their clients in challenging economic conditions.
In 2010 Brad founded ProtectionPro (formerly ClearPlex) which was acquired in 2016 by Madico Inc, a fully-owned subsidiary of Lintec USA Holdings. Under Brad's leadership, ProtectionPro quickly moved into tens of thousands of retail locations in over 150 countries becoming the world leader and pioneer in on-demand screen protection. Brad is focused on building innovative and disruptive products and growing a culture of trust and partnership among his team and customers. Brad holds a BA in Italian and an MS in Manufacturing Engineering from Brigham Young University.
Tom Moloney - The Rising Star Award
Ever since he was a kid Tom has been taking apart computers and electronics. After being diagnosed with autism in his early 30s Tom found his new home at Blue Star Recyclers. Working his way up from sweeping the floors and answering the phones, Tom became the first senior leadership-level employee at with a diagnosed disability. Tom now leads a team of 5, manages the refurbishing of computers, the resale of tested components, and the social media presence for Blue Star Recyclers in order to advance the circular economy, bridge the digital divide, and provide employment to people with autism and other disabilities.
2021
Craig Boswell - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Craig Boswell is co-founder and President of HOBI International, Inc. He is extensively involved in the design, development, and deployment of electronics demanufacturing and recycling techniques. Additionally, Craig is HOBI’s chief industry consultant on demanufacturing, design for disassembly, and reverse logistics programs. Craig has published and presented numerous papers on electronic products recycling and the keys to designing more recyclable products. Craig holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Nirav Patel - Innovation Award
Nirav Patel is Founder and CEO of Framework. Before starting Framework, he was part of the founding team of Oculus and led the hardware team through the first few years of growth and a handful of excellent VR headsets. He left Oculus (and Facebook) in 2019 to prove it's possible to design products to last by actually making them!
Nicole Russell - Rising Star Award
For over a decade CellBotics has provided training services for the repair industry. From in-person and online courses focused on training the next repair technicians. To consulting and training development for large corporations needing effective course development. As CEO and Founder Nicole has dedicated CellBotics' mission to provide the highest quality and impactful training services available. Nicole is known for her ability to build culture and strengthen teams but more so for her dedication to helping the industry grow in skill and professionalism.
2020
Kelly Keogh - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Kelley Keogh, a Co-Founder of Greeneye Partners LLC, has 26 years of experience as an environmental, health and safety auditor and has audited recycling facilities worldwide. For the last 20 years her work has been exclusively in the electronics recycling industry supporting companies in certification to ISO14001, 9001, 45001, R2, RIOS and eStewards. She has conducted onsite audits of metals smelters, CRT furnaces, battery recyclers and mercury retort sites. Kelley serves on the technical advisory groups for the R2 and RIOS standards and served with EPEAT as both a Standards Assessor and Verification Auditor promoting and supporting reuse of electronics. Kelley’s dedication and support is unmatched in the industry.
Steve Glover - Innovation Award
As the founder of Compugen’s leasing and asset disposition organization Compugen Finance Inc.(CFI), Steve created the Green4Good program – an ITAD solution with a charitable mission to turn e-waste into social good. Green4Good ensures all end-of-first-life™ technology is resold or 100% recycled, where proceeds from resale is encouraged to go towards charity. Steve also developed CarbonBank™ , the world’s only program that creates verified carbon credits from the sale of refurbished technology. Combined, the Green4Good and CarbonBank programs are where organizations can trade-in their used technology, receive monies for their charity of choice as well as verified carbon credits to put towards their CSR and sustainability goals. Steve is always innovating and looking for new ways to find environmental and social value in the e-waste industry. Steve's programs were recognized in 2019 as a Clean50 Top Project, awarded Top Solution Provider Supporting Sustainability at the Channel Innovation Awards, and awarded the Microsoft's Growth Mindset of the Year Award. This year, the carbon credit program was included in the Top 39 Most Innovative Circular Economy Solutions at the World Circular Economy Forum.
Chad Johansen - Rising Star Award
Since the days of lemonade stands, Chad has always looked for a path to start his own business venture. In 2012 after experiencing a cracked screen for his first time, NH iPhone Repair was born. With four stores throughout New Hampshire, Chad has grown NH iPhone Repair as the most trusted and reputable shop in the area. Built upon repairs done while-you-wait-and-watch along with top-notch customer service, Chad has grown business from his parent’s kitchen table to tens of thousands of repairs a year. In his free time Chad enjoys boating, Boston sports and playing hockey.
2019
Neil Peters-Michaud - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Neil is CEO and co-founder of Cascade Asset Management, an ITAD firm opened in Madison, Wisconsin in 1999. He's always valued the intersection of the environment, social justice, and technological innovation present in this industry and how it builds on his mission to leave the world better than he found it. You can find Neil’s mark around the world, whether it was his leadership in creating an electronics demanufacturing center in Ethiopia or his work to funnel refurbished computers through local digital equity programs. He believes in building the knowledge base of the industry so we can all improve in our ability to reuse and recover more electronic products in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Aakshay “Shay” Kripalani - Innovation Award
Shay has always been a serial entrepreneur but walked away from business ownership for many years until 2009 when he recognized the potential in the cell phone repair industry, which led to the start of Injured Gadgets. Injured Gadgets sources, distributes, and supplies cell phone repair stores, carriers, and refurbishing depots with the necessary parts, tools, and equipment they need to run a successful business, and is widely recognized as a people-first supplier to the repair industry. Shay is universally accepted by other industry leaders as a person who invariably does the right thing, and his steadfast commitment to integrity in business is apparent in the way Injured Gadgets supports the businesses it serves.
Matt Zieminski - Rising Star Award
Matt is a leader within the repair community and strong advocate for your right to repair. With a proven track record of scaling business operations and leading teams across communities in multiple industries. His extensive background in repair forged his passion for building a high-performing operation with a commitment to excellence. As a Program Manager at Puls, Matt has helped create a custom end to end solution for consumer repair needs enabling transparency, efficiency and scale throughout the service lifecycle. He's fostered a strong, ‘Technicians First’ team culture at Puls that is committed to providing a world-class experience.
2018
Shauna L. McCaffrey, MBA - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Shauna L. McCaffrey is the Executive Director of RCT, a non-profit that has provided over 575,000 computers to low income families, schools and charities. Shauna believes that every individual has the right to become a digital citizen. Shauna brings her private sector experience to empower individuals & social organizations with equal access to technology and youth with first work experience in IT.
Shauna is the first Canadian to be awarded CTAM’s TAMI, Innovator & Communicator Awards in her previous career in the marketing and strategy fields in the cable/telecom industry. She is truly honored to be recognized with the ERC Hall of Fame Award amongst great industry leaders.
Lane Epperson - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Lane was cofounder and CEO of HiTech Assets. His vision for the industry went far beyond the issues of today or even next year, actively engaging in battles in DC on behalf of reuse – including cellphone unlocking, DMCA, right to repair, right to resell, and fighting for rational laws for the industry. An advocate for sustainability and worker health & safety, he was a strong supporter of both R2 and RIOS certifications.
Lane was a man of great faith and integrity. He was a dear friend to many and was dedicated to his family. Although Lane passed away in 2018, he would want the reuse community to continue his legacy of advocacy in securing the future for electronics reuse and recycling.
Michael Oberdick - The Innovation Award
Michael has spent 13 years of his life in retail, customer service, and IT. Starting at the age of 12 by tinkering with electronics, his passion brought him to the wireless industry, and ultimately lead to the opening of iOutlet; a chain of retail stores focusing on Pre-Owned Apple Devices as well as Electronics Repair. Finding a lack of services for the small repair shop owner, Michael developed businesses that cater to these entrepreneurs; Device Renew, Elevate Supply, and No Limits Creative. Michael joined the Right to Repair board in 2017 to fight for consumer rights.
Robert Miranda - Newcomer Award
Robert is an entrepreneur and the founder of SmarTeks LLC with energy, a solid record of accomplishments and an extensive involvement in his industry. He believes in utilizing his skills to develop his company, people, and repair products with aim of making them last longer while saving money and ensuring they operate smoothly. Robert started his journey at the tender age of 13 and never looked back to accomplish the pursuit of happiness. His ability to love failure and readiness to learn in his field has allowed his success and his title, the “new comer” in industry.
2017
Robin Ingenthron - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Robin is the founder of Good Point Recycling, and the Fair Trade Recycling movement, a progressive, cooperative organization promoting best practices in reuse and recycling in emerging markets.
Robin believes that the amount of money society will make available to improve the environment is finite, and believes regulation of the free market must be done wisely and sparingly. He always sees people for what they can do, not for what they cannot do, and we’re proud to welcome him to the ERC Hall of Fame.
2016
Charles Brennick - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Charles founded and ran InterConnection for 18 years. During that time he worked with NGOs and development organizations to sell over 100,000 computers to non-profit organizations, NGOs and schools in over 30 countries. To say Charles is passionate and devoted is an understatement. His contribution to the industry, especially the non-profits has been inspirational and critical.
2015
Kyle Wiens - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Kyle Wiens founded iFixit, the free repair manual, in 2003. He’s dedicated his life to defeating the second law of thermodynamics, a battle fought in the courtroom as often as in the workshop. The right to repair campaign has, so far, successfully legalized cell phone unlocking and tractor repair. Kyle’s devotion to protecting consumers’ right to repair is unmatched, and his efforts have greatly benefited the repair and refurbishing industry in a very real way.
2014
Sean Nicholson - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Sean’s dedication to the Microsoft Refurbisher programs is unmatched. Sean spent over 10 years working in Microsoft building and refining the Microsoft Register Refurbisher Program and the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Program. His innovation and dedication to helping Refurbishers worldwide has been inspirational and our industry would not be where it is today without him. Sean has since moved into the humanitarian field, and while we hope this award will help say thank you, we know it cannot match what he has given us.
2013
Nancy Jo Craig - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Nancy Jo has been the Executive Director of Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (CACRC) in Baton Rouge, LA since 2004. She is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of CACRC’s program of work and works with the Board and staff to develop long-range strategies. As a member of the R2 Advisory committee, she helped fight for the Refurbisher and non-profit interests during the upgrade to R2:2013. Nancy Jo has been through it all and still manages to tirelessly support our industry.
2012
Ryan McDowell, Bob Townley & Richard Quernon - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Community Computer Connection is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives through technology. They supply affordable computers and equipment to non-profits, schools and low income communities. Ryan, Bob and Richard have each made countless contributions to the industry over the years. They are always willing to lend a helping hand or offer advice when a fellow Refurbisher is in need.
2011
Frances Fawcett - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Frances was instrumental in developing and supporting the Microsoft Registered Refurbisher for over 10 years. She spent countless hours helping and coaching refurbishers all over the world to improve their operations. She has experience in both large global corporations and running a small business, which makes her uniquely qualified and an instrumental figure in the growth of many refurbishers all over the world.
Pat Furr - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Pat Founded Computers for Classrooms in 1991, a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to closing the digital divide by refurbishing donated computers and making them available to schools, low-income families, and other non-profit. She is always available to answer a question or provide input to help the people who make up our industry. She lead the charge to become the first non-profit in the world to be R2 Certified. Pat’s devotion and passion cannot be matched and our industry would not be the same without her; she is an inspiration to us all.
Willie Cade - Jim Lynch (Hall of Fame) Award
Willie Cade co-founded the International Computer Refurbisher Summit in 2003 alongside Jim Lynch. In 2010, Willie hired his daughter Sarah to run and grow the event, which eventually became the E-Reuse Conference. In addition to 13 years of involvement with ERC, Willie ran a computer refurbishing operation for 17 years, started in his basement, and eventually employed over 300 ex-offenders, refurbished over 150,000 devices and was a part of countless efforts to advance the industry. If it wasn’t for his vision, determination and sacrifice, ERC could not have continued to serve the industry today, and his nomination by fellow inductees is a testament to his service to the industry.
2010
Jim Lynch
Jim Lynch co-founded the International Computer Refurbisher Summit in 2003, the foundation for what is now the Electronics Reuse Conference. The purpose of the show has always been to bring the industry together to share best practices, talk through the hard stuff and to network. Jim also started and runs the Refurbishers List online community. Over his long career at TechSoup, Jim has created all of TechSoup’s environmental programs, most of which involve electronics refurbishment. He has been interviewed extensively over the years by the Wall St. Journal, National Public Radio, PC World Magazine, and many other news outlets. As an instrumental figure in our industry, Jim Lynch is our first ERC Hall of Fame member!
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