Award Winners
Machinery Dealers Awards and Recognition
Welcome to the Awards page of the MDNA
We proudly recognize the leaders, innovators, and dedicated professionals who move our industry forward.
MDNA honors outstanding member firms and individuals who exemplify integrity, leadership, and excellence in the used machinery marketplace. These awards celebrate more than success — they recognize commitment to ethical business practices, customer service, industry advancement, and the strong relationships that define our association.
From lifetime achievement honors to emerging leader recognition, our award recipients represent the very best of MDNA’s values: trust, professionalism, and community. Their accomplishments inspire progress across our network and strengthen the machinery industry as a whole.
We invite you to explore our award categories, meet our distinguished honorees, and join us in celebrating the individuals and companies shaping the future of machinery dealing.
MDNA Past President Joseph (JR) Kraemer
2023 Lifetime Achievement Recipient
MDNA Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given, as the name implies, to honor a lifetime of achievements and contributions to MDNA and the used machinery industry.
The Selection Committee consists of the Executive Vice President, President, First and Second Vice Presidents, Treasurer and a Past President or current Board member with three years’ tenure selected by the other four members.
MDNA Lifetime Achievement Award Winners:
1994 Harvey S. Eisen
1998 James R. Weber, CEA
2000 Belford A. Small (awarded posthumously)
2002 Austin D. Lucas
2006 Robert Atherton
2013 John Conroy
2015 Jeannine Harris
2018 Jack Boecher (at IMTS Chicago Chapter Meeting)
2021 Dan Strand
2023 Joseph (JR) Kraemer
MDNA Past President John Greene, CEA
2025 Recipient of the
Randolph K. Vinson Award
MDNA Randolph K. Vinson Award
Named in honor of MDNA’s professional staff director for many years until his retirement in 1965, and presented to individuals in recognition of and appreciation for outstanding and continuous contributions to the advancement of MDNA and the used machinery industry.
The Selection Committee consists of the Executive Vice President, President, First Vice President, Treasurer and a past president or current Board member with three years’ tenure selected by the other four members. The committee is chaired by the current President. The selection requires four votes of the committee of five or the award will not be given that year.
2025 MDNA Earl Elman Distinguished Service Award Recipient
AMEA Past President John Lawton, CEA
MDNA Earl Elman Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Award was named in honor of former MDNA/MIS President Earl Elman on May 27, 1989. The Earl Elman Distinguished Service Award is to be presented sparingly, and as appropriate, but not on a regular basis. It should not conflict with or detract from our highest award, the Randolph K. Vinson Award. Eligibility would be open to anyone who might have made an outstanding contribution to MDNA and the used machinery industry.
In general, tradition has been this award should not be given to an MDNA Past President.
The Selection committee consists of the MDNA President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer and Executive Vice President.
MDNA Past President Paul Lashin, CEA, receives the 2025 MDNA Jean A. Harris Sr. Award on behalf of Prestige Equipment Corp.
Jean A. Harris Sr. Award
Named in honor of long time MDNA Member Jean A. Harris Sr. Mr. Harris was a dedicated and invaluable Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund Trustee and additionally served on the Convention Committee for many years. In both roles he excelled in fund-raising and always led by example, ensuring that Harris Machine Tool Inc. was a generous supporter of both the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund and MDNA Conventions.
Purpose: This award is given in recognition of outstanding philanthropic contributions or efforts on behalf of the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund and or the MDNA. This award may be given to individuals or companies.
The Selection Committee consists of the MDNA Executive Vice President, MDNA President, ADLSF President and the Chairman of the Convention Committee
2025 Person of the Year recipient,
John Bouley of MDNA Member Firm
Furnace Brokers
Craig L. Ward, Person of the Year Award
Named in honor of Former MDNA President Craig L. Ward. Mr. Ward was dedicated to his community and beyond. He was MDNA’s president from 2021 to 2023. This award is presented annually, honoring a member’s commitment to benevolence and community impact, as well as their excellence in the used machinery industry.
The Selection committee consists of the MDNA President, First Vice President, Treasurer, Second Vice President, Immediate Past President, and Executive Vice President.
Craig L. Ward, Person of the Year Award Recipients:
Craig and Penny Ward – 2024
John Bouley – 2025
Andy Kamishian of Member Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales, recipient of the 2026 Dick Goldstein Leadership Award
Dick Goldstein Leadership Award
To recognize exemplary and extraordinary leadership qualities demonstrated by a current member of the MDNA Board of Directors, MIS Executive Committee or AMEA Board of Directors who has made significant contributions to the association or one of its subsidiaries. The officers of the three organizations are ineligible.
The award is presented at the MDNA convention, but it is not required to be given annually. The committee may choose more than one individual in any given year if it feels there is more than one eligible candidate, but this practice is discouraged.
In general, tradition has been that the award has been given to an individual that, while having already made significant contributions to the association or its subsidiaries in a leadership role, and are poised to go on to even greater service to MDNA. This award is traditionally given at the Annual Meeting.
The Selection committee consists of the MDNA President and Executive Vice President, the LOCATOR President, the AMEA President, and the chairman of the National Nominating Committee.