September 23, 2005 Washington, DC -- The Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council has announced the 2005 recipients for its annual awards. The Council says the awards are to celebrate outstanding contributions from individuals in the industry who have championed FTTH technology and its resulting quality of life enhancements. Award winners will be celebrated at next month's FTTH Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"This year's recipients are exceptional examples of vision and leadership in the promotion and advancement of fiber to the home," says Leonard Ray, president of the FTTH Council. "We salute our colleagues for their accomplishment and support of the industry."
According to a press release, the Council's 2005 award recipients, and reasons for their selection, are as follows:
President's Award - Mayor-President, Joey Durel, Lafayette City-Parish, Louisiana
The President's Award is given at the sole discretion of the FTTH Council President and singles out an individual or company that has shown tremendous effort to promote, educate, and accelerate fiber to the home. Mayor Joey Durel was chosen for his unwavering effort to overcome legal issues in the deployment of fiber to his community in Lafayette, Louisiana. Faced with the challenge of battling a national incumbent carrier, Mayor Durel successfully fought major political and financial obstacles with determination and focus. His commitment resulted in a public campaign and subsequent referendum in which the citizens voted in support of the Lafayette Fiber to the Home Project. Mayor Durel is a keynote speaker at the 2005 FTTH Annual Conference & Expo.
Star Award - Mayor Graham Richard, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Voted by the FTTH Board of Governors, the Star Award is given to a person, community, or company that has gone above and beyond what it is expected in the promotion of deployment of fiber to the home. When Mayor Graham Richard learned that Verizon was planning to introduce a fiber to the home deployment in his region, he did not want Fort Wayne to be left behind. Instead, he approached Verizon and convinced them of the mutual benefit of working together. Fort Wayne subsequently received a FTTP overbuild and Mayor Richard has recently unveiled an economic revitalization plan around the Verizon deployment. Additionally, the Mayor has been an outspoken advocate of the economic benefits of FTTH before key decision makers in Washington, DC.
Photon Award - Patrick Sims, Senior System Project Engineer, ADC
The Photon Award is given to a FTTH Council member who, through their volunteer contribution, has demonstrated a high level of dedication to the organization and to the industry through their activities. Patrick Sims, an industry consultant to both equipment manufacturers and service providers alike, was instrumental in the initial formation of the FTTH Council in 2001. Since that time he has volunteered in many capacities and was chosen this year for his work as Chair of the 2005 conference planning committee. As conference chair, Sims has displayed extraordinary dedication, time and commitment to ensure the success of this year's conference. The FTTH Council thanks Patrick Sims for the excellent example of volunteerism that he sets for colleagues and others involved in the FTTH effort.
The Fiber-to-the-Home Council is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to educate the public on the opportunities and benefits of FTTH platforms.