CCAI Celebrates 2025 Award Recipients

During the 2025 CCAI Annual Meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho, the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI) held their annual awards ceremony to announce the 2025 James F. & David J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and recognize the CCAI Chapter Users and Suppliers of the Year.

The prestigious James F. & David J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award is CCAI’s highest honor and is awarded to deserving members of the association that have dedicated years of service to CCAI and the industrial finishing industry. This year’s recipient, selected by the CCAI National Board of Directors, is Michelle Striggow of Graco who serves as CCAI’s current National Vice President.

Michelle has been a CCAI member since 2011. In addition to the National Vice President, she currently serves on the Twin Cities chapter board and has previously held positions as an officer and chapter president. Michelle takes her CCAI responsibilities very seriously and has worked hard to help direct chapter events and promotion, programming and annual events such as the chapter golf outing. She is also very committed to mentoring younger people interested in the finishing industry.

CCAI is proud to present this prestigious award to Michelle, the first woman to receive this honor. She graciously stated, “It is an absolute honor to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is extra special when you can work hard, play hard and spend time with so many great people in the finishing industry.  Thank you to CCAI for being part of my work family.”

CCAI also honored its Chapter User and Supplier of the Year recipients at the awards ceremony. Each year chapters recognize members for their service and dedication to their respective chapter. CCAI acknowledges those who have shown exceptional commitment to their chapter’s success.

The 2025 Chapter Award winners are:  Capítulo en Español – Gerardo Zambrano, La Revista Del Color; Northern California Chapter – Sara Rochester, Pacific Powder Coating & Mfg., Inc.; Twin Cities Chapter – Logan Wikstrom, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, and Tony Wolfbauer, BASF/Chemetall; West Michigan Chapter – Bill Knape, Knape Industries, and Rich Saddler, Industrial Finishing Solutions.

James F & David J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award recipients welcome Michelle Striggow (center). Pictured with Michelle left to right; Tony Sclafani, John Sudges, Ron Lum and Kevin Coursin.

Gerardo Zambrano accepts the Capítulo en Español award at the CCAI Annual Meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho. Pictured with Gerardo left to right; Gabriela Cantu and Pedro Castillo.