NEWH - Spring 2013 - (Page 18)

Award of Excellence Simply the Best N EWH, Inc. has announced the 2013 Award of Excellence honorees: Fernando Diaz, Fernando Diaz & Associates, and Elsie Dahlin. The prestigious biennial award honors a man and a woman who have contributed extraordinary time and effort to NEWH; have a minimum of 10 years experience in the hospitality industry; have held a local chapter or international board position; and have mentored four people in the industry, at least two of whom are women. Cuban-born interior designer Diaz founded his Sherman Oaks, California-based company in 1980. Since then his projects have ranged from small homes and offices to grand scale residences and office suites throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Spain. From 2005 to 2011, he held many positions on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Founding chapter, including president in 2011, and he was also the director of board training and strategic planning for NEWH, Inc. in 2007. He has received many awards throughout his career, including NEWH’s Recognition of Excellence award in 2007 from the Los Angeles Founding chapter, and the Medalist Award, the highest award given by ASID on the chapter level, in 2006. His work has graced the pages of Metropolitan Home magazine, Arts & Living magazine, and the Los Angeles Times, and he has made several HGTV appearances. “Being part of NEWH is being part of a group of people that care about the hospitality industry and its future, by awarding scholarships to those whp are deserving,” Diaz says. “I have made great friends and contacts in the industry that have inspired me in my career.” As for the nomination, Anita Degen, principal of Degen & Degen and past NEWH president, says: “The defi nition of Left and below: NEWH’s 2013 Award of Excellence honorees: Elsie Dahlin and Fernando Diaz. 18 www.newh.org fortitude and perseverance is Fernando. When others may have given up, Fernando worked tirelessly to support and maintain our founding chapter [in Los Angeles]. And he did it all with class and style. Since joining NEWH in 2001 he has brought enthusiasm and a willingness to roll up his sleeves and jump in wherever he was needed most. His presence has always been a ballast to our ship. He has shown genuine leadership.” Dahlin served as president and CEO of Environmental Lighting for Architecture, which produces versatile outdoor products and custom lighting, from 1983 until her retirement in 2009. In 1990, ELA added Fundidora Cal, S.A. de S.V., an aluminum foundry in Baja, to complement its capabilities. Dahlin continues to serve on the board of directors of both corporations, whose projects span commercial, hospitality, theme parks, and restoration work, both domestically and internationally. In 1987, she began her involvement with NEWH, fi lling several positions on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Founding chapter including president from 1991-1992. From 1991 to 1994, she also served as the fi rst international president of NEWH, Inc., during which she chartered six chapters, what she calls a highlight of her some 25 years of membership. She has garnered many awards, including the NEWH’s Woman of the Year honor in 1994, the Los Angeles Founding chapter’s Woman of Excellence award in 1998, and the Wilson Associates Point of Excellence recognition in 2007. “Regardless of the size of a corporation or company, business is done with people. Every career is touched by personal interaction,” says Dahlin. “Without participation in NEWH networking events I would not have had the depth of understanding of what it takes of other professions and trades within our industry to achieve a successful, on time, installed project for ownership.” Says Degen: “Elsie was integral to the incorporating of NEWH and the inception of our board of directors. The structure and organization she gave to NEWH is recognized as a turning point in the trajectory of our success. She has graced almost every position of board leadership. Most importantly she is a great friend and advocate for scholarship in hospitality. Her positive nature and great leadership stands out above all else.” Adds Dahlin: “Without a doubt my greatest contribution was in surrounding myself, and therefore the organization, with the most unselfish, talented, enthusiastic, and responsible women. They shared the vision, the mission statement, and development of the bylaws, and wrestled through the legal and financial issues. Together we set the parameters that NEWH continues to value more than two decades later. It is hard to believe that at one time there was no organized entity within our industry for expanding networking, promoting product and capability, for education or scholarship awards, specifically for studies within hospitality.” ❙❘❚ http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2013

NEWH - Spring 2013
Table of Contents
News
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Point of View
Award of Excellence
Q&A: Brooke Taylor
Q&A: Stephanie Tristani
Q&A: Jacob Cross
Have You Seen?
Product Know How
On the Scene
For Lily Jack, it’s all in the details
Project: Revere Hotel Boston
Project: Indigo Garden Curacao
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Ad Index

NEWH - Spring 2013