RIMA-I Presents Alexander Schwartz Award

Past President Bobby Bird presents the Alexander Schwartz Award to Jonathon Hagarbome on behalf of the late Robert (Bob) Wadsworth of Innovative Energy.

Olathe, KS - At its annual Fall meeting, which took place at the Magnolia Hotel in Houston, TX on October 23-24, RIMA International posthumously named Robert (Bob) Wadsworth of Innovative Energy as the second-ever recipient of the association's Alexander Schwartz Award. Accepting the award on Wadsworth's behalf was son-in-law Jonathon Hagarbome who now runs Innovative Energy with his wife, Bob's grand-daughter, Whitney.

Robert Wadsworth

The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA-I) established the Alexander Schwartz Award in November 2016. It was conceived to honor someone who has made a significant contribution to the reflective products industry either through technical achievement, leadership, product development, and/or new technology. Through their example, the chosen recipient will have motivated industry representatives and advanced the reflective products industry and/or RIMA International and, in turn, contributed to the overall acceptance of reflective products within the building codes and in the overall marketplace.  This prestigious award is only presented when warranted; that being when a valid candidate meets the outlined criteria and deserves recognition for their significant contribution. Wadsworth met that standard.

Wadsworth was engaged in the reflective insulation industry for over 35 years and was an active member of RIMA International, serving as both a past president and as a member of the board of directors. At one time or another during his service to RIMA, he held every executive office position and chaired various committees and task groups. He conducted a number of seminars at different building industry conferences and trade shows; and was most recently among the RIMA-I Industry Experts, fielding online questions and taking phone calls to assist the association in providing reliable information, resources and technical support.

Wadsworth passed away January 20, 2019. Past President Bobby Byrd presented the award to Hagarbome at the organization's Membership Meeting.

"It is an honor to recognize Mr. Wadsworth for all he has given to this industry and organization and for the friend he was to us all.  He will be greatly missed," read a statement about the award issued by the trade group.

About RIMA-I

RIMA-I represents reflective insulation, radiant barrier and interior radiation control coating (IRCC) manufacturers and other companies that are active within the industry. RIMA-I exists to educate the marketplace on the benefits of reflective technologies and to represent member's interests in establishing ASTM standards for testing and installation procedures. For more information, visit www.rimainternational.org.