Manufacturing and Design division (M&D) outstanding practitioner award

The Manufacturing & Design (M&D) Outstanding Practitioner Award (OPA) recognizes members of the M&D Division who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and impact in the fields of manufacturing or design. The award recognizes individuals whose work has made significant contributions within their organizations, the private sector, or the public sector. The award is presented annually during the M&D Townhall Meeting at the IISE Annual Conference.

Eligibility Requirements

The nominee must

  1. Be a member of IISE and the M&D Division at the time of submission.
  2. Not have received the OPA in the previous three years.

Demonstrate significant impact in manufacturing or design as evidenced by two or more of the following evaluation criteria:

  1. Leadership: leadership within an organization or industry with emphasis on leading projects that have measurable metrics (e.g., impacts on cost, schedule, performance).
  2. Research: excellence in demonstrated research such as through published articles, technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, or similar products.
  3. Impact: Demonstrated measurable and sustained impact across a team, division, or organization, resulting in improved operational effectiveness, innovation culture, or organizational performance.
  4. Implementation: Successful execution or deployment of impactful work, supported by quantifiable results or performance metrics.
  5. Innovation: Demonstrated through invention disclosures, intellectual property (particularly commercialized patents), or the implementation of new processes within their organization or industry.
  6. Recognition: Recognized through receipt of prestigious awards or honors from professional societies, industry organizations, or other recognized entities acknowledging excellence in manufacturing or design.
  7. The period of performance for this award is January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

Application/Nominatipn Process

Nominations by another individual are encouraged. Self-nominations will be accepted.

The nomination package must include in a single PDF file:

A written statement that contains:

  1. Summary of nominee’s accomplishments and/or impacts and how those accomplishments and/or impacts satisfy eligibility criteria
  2. The nominee’s full name as it should appear on the certificate if awarded.
  3. The statement must be no longer than two pages.

Curriculum vitae or resume

  1. Must include accomplishments and/or impacts related to the OPA.
  2. Maximum length is 6 pages.

Three letters of recommendation

  1. One must be from a supervisor where the accomplishment/contributions were made (i.e., immediate supervisor, chief engineer, director of engineering)
  2. The other two letters may come from professional peers or colleagues who are within or outside of the nominee’s organization.
  3. All letters must clearly highlight the nominee’s accomplishments as they pertain to the eligibility requirements.
  4. The quality and relevance of the letters will be considered as an integral part of the evaluation process.
  5. The maximum length for each letter is 2 pages.

The nomination package should be submitted to Emily Hall, OPA Selection Committee Chair, by Februay 13, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. ET

Evalutaion Process

  • The OPA selection committee will verify compliance with the eligibility criteria.
  • Nominees will be evaluated by the committee based on the eligibility criteria.
  • The evaluation criteria are equally weighted.
  • The selection committee will evaluate each nominee against the evaluation criteria.
  • The Selection Committee Chairperson will rank the nominees according to their final scores. The nominee with the highest score will be declared the winner.
  • The Selection Committee Chairperson will notify the winner by email no later than March 13, 2025.
  • Either the selection committee chairperson or the M&D President-Elect will notify IISE regarding the winner per IISE policies.

Important Dates (Deadlines)

  • Nominations are due February 13, 2026
  • Winners/Finalists will be notified by March 13, 2026

Recognition

  • First prize winner(s) will receive a certificate with a hardback cover at the M&D townhall meeting at the IISE Annual Conference.
  • Second and Third prize winners will receive a digital certificate and be recognized at the M&D townhall meeting at the IISE Annual Conference.
  • First, second, and third prize winners will be recognized on the M&D webpage and in the M&D newsletter
  • First, second, and third prize winners will be recognized in ISE magazine.

Committee Chair

Emily Hall

Conflict of Interest Policy

It is imperative to maintain the integrity of the awards programs within IISE and the M&D Division. Therefore, all members of the division shall abide by the following conflict of interest policy requirements.

  • M&D officers and board members are ineligible for M&D awards during their period(s) of service without approval from IISE’s Senior Vice President for Technical Operations (SVP). Exceptions may only be made by the SVP when awards are time sensitive (e.g., Student board member is nominated for Best Student Paper Award, but will graduate before the Annual Conference). In the case of time sensitive awards without SVP approval, the affected officer/members must be recused from the awards processes. For non-time sensitive awards, officers and board members may be nominated for awards after their service on the M&D Division board has ended.
  • Award selection committees shall consist of members who have neither personal nor professional relationships with nominees. Upon knowing that such a conflict arises, the member shall immediately be recused from further participation in the selection process.
  • Award committee members should change annually to ensure fairness, diversity and equality.

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Straub.

2025 Winner

Mohamed Elfeky
Unilever

Past Winners

SHARE