| 2020 | Fred Pittroff - Giant Slide |
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2019 |
Steve Swika, Jr. - OABA Board of Directors |
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2018 |
Linda Brewer - Youth Educator, Deggeller Christian Academy The OABA recognized Industry Pioneer Linda Brewer, highlighting her career achievements in the development of mobile show schools or academies in the development of a nationally-recognized Christian curriculum with Deggeller Christian Academy. In addition to the Deggeller’s show school, she has also helped charter and provide administrative services to several other carnival schools, including today’s Cammack Christian Academy and the Powers Learning Center. Brewer was formerly the head administrator/teacher with the North American Midway Entertainment show school for young people whose parents work and travel with these shows.
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| 2017 | Denny Bartosik - Denny's Electronics |
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Denny's career achievements in the development of new, innovative games, trailers and LED lighting, have revolutionized the amusement industry. His LED lighting packages have provided ride owners, concessionaires and others with programmable light displays that have added to both the appeal and the promotion of carnival midways and amusement rides. His most recent accomplishment was lighting the world’s tallest portable wheel, owned by Michael Wood and Frank Zaitshik, which debuted at the Florida State Fair. |
| 2016 | Joie Chitwood, Sr. – Chitwood Thrill Shows |
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OABA’s 2016 Industry Pioneer Award was awarded to the late Joie Chitwood, Sr., honoring a true legend, superior showman and consummate entertainer. Joie epitomizes the OABA’s Pioneer Award recognition. |
2015 |
Jerry Barber – Venture Rides Mfg. & Sunbelt Capital Inc. |
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OABA’s 2015 Industry Pioneer Award was given to Jerry Barber, honoring his industry innovations and contributions to the growth of the outdoor, mobile amusement industry. Jerry exemplifies the OABA’s Pioneer Award recognition. |
| 2015 | Dan Dudley – Dudley Consultants |
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OABA’s 2015 Industry Pioneer Award was given to Dan Dudley honoring his ride safety contributions to employees and guests in the outdoor, mobile amusement industry. Dan represents the OABA’s Pioneer Award recognition. |
| 2014 |
Bob Childress – Childress Shows |
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OABA’s 2014 Industry Pioneer Award was given to Bob Childress, a gentleman whose 60-year career in the outdoor amusement and entertainment industry as an owner of Childress Shows, Hendricks Bros. Circus, Lewis & Clark Circus and Childress Manufacturing, epitomizes the OABA’s Pioneer Award recognition. |
| 2013 | Jack Eyerly – Eyerly Aircraft Co. |
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OABA’s 2013 Industry Pioneer Award was given to Jack Eyerly, Owner of Eyerly Aircraft Co., founder and served in the amusement industry for some 70 years. Jack exemplifies the OABA’s Pioneer Award recognition. |
2012 |
Bruce Sellner- Founder, Sellner Manufacturing |
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Bruce Sellner, of Sellner Manufacturing, was honored the 2012 Pioneer Award posthumously because of his innovation in mobile amusement business as a ride manufacturer. |
| 2011 | Jerry Wisdom- Founder, Wisdom Rides and the Sizzler |
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Jerry Wisdom, of Wisdom Manufacturing, was awarded the 2011 Pioneer Award for the innovations he brought to the Outdoor Amusement Business and the very beginning of trailer mounted rides. |
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Robert “Bob” Cassata, Founder, Bob’s Space Racers |
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Bob Cassata is the founder of Bob’s Space Racers, a games operator and supplier to both carnivals and amusement facilities around the world. Bob’s game designs revolutionized the game industry. He is noted for his industrious approach to his craft and his insistence on perfection in all that he does with the amusement industry. |
| 2009 | J.C. Evans, Chairman Gold Medal Products |
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J.C. Evans was awarded the first OABA Pioneer Award in honor of his exceptional, innovative achievements in our industry. He built Gold Medal Products into the premier supplier in the amusement industry, inventing new products and technologies along the way that have become concession industry standards. His inventive spirit is complemented by his generosity. He is known by all to be a man who consistently believes in willingly giving back to this industry which he loves so much. |
