The Additive Manufacturing Customers Group (AMUG) has offered its prestigious DINO (Distinguished INnovator Operator) Award for additive manufacturing experience and repair to 6 people. These new DINOs obtained their awards at the thirty seventh annual AMUG Convention held March 30 – April 3, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois.
AMUG representatives offered the DINO Awards in recognition of tenure within the AM trade, years of service, contributions to the trade, and lively help of AMUG and its convention.
“The DINO Committee will get to see, in nice element, the contributions candidates make in our trade. Candidates are usually very humble people, however once we obtain their nominations, we study their involvement with STEM initiatives and trade organizations, in addition to how they reply questions from these within the trade and the way they’re keen to make introductions and connections that assist others,” mentioned Bruce LeMaster, co-chair of the DINO Choice Committee and director at giant for AMUG. “Those that are finally chosen for a DINO Award exemplify a ‘giving’ perspective that enhances their data of additive manufacturing.”
The newly named AMUG DINOs are: Amy Alexander, Mayo Clinic; Dan Braley, Boeing World Companies; Patrick Gannon, Ricoh USA, Inc.; Ryan Kircher, rms Firm; Dallas Martin, Toyota; and Brennon White, Basic Motors.
“When contemplating a DINO recipient, we’re trying extra on the character traits than the resume,” mentioned Shannon VanDeren, co-chair of the DINO Choice Committee and President of AMUG. “Watching the recipients of this yr’s DINOs make their solution to the stage to simply accept the award, adopted by the flood of pleasure from the additive manufacturing household who is aware of them, is so endearing,” mentioned Shannon VanDeren, co-chair of the DINO Choice Committee and President of AMUG.
The brand new DINOs have performed different roles in making AMUG and the AMUG Convention a optimistic expertise for these looking for insights, info, and connections, in addition to making AMUG a robust group. Though their contributions are many, the choice committee cited the important thing actions for which the DINO Awards had been offered.
“This yr’s DINO recipients have a depth of expertise in additive manufacturing and have given their time and efforts again to the trade as volunteers,” mentioned LeMaster. “I’m very impressed with the broad vary of abilities every brings to the trade.”
Amy Alexander’s accomplishments and recognitions are plentiful, and he or she has shared her experiences to encourage consciousness and adoption. “Amy has instructed me that her profession was constructed on the shoulders of fantastic mentors and lecturers. She now offers the shoulder for brand spanking new engineers to face upon,” mentioned VanDeren, who defined that Alexander now encourages the following era of biomedical engineers to advance their careers by taking up the talking roles that in any other case could be provided to her.
“Dan Braley’s participation in quite a few occasions, together with AMUG Conferences, highlights his dedication to advancing our applied sciences. Regularly taking part to advertise data and consciousness, Dan demonstrates the constitution we crafted for these deserving of a DINO,” mentioned Carl Dekker, DINO Choice Committee member.
“His management in prior and present positions has led to organizations which have grown their footprint and success in additive manufacturing. Ryan’s efforts to share these developments in convention displays, requirements developments, and open discussions assist folks advance their abilities. These are examples of the traits we search for when evaluating DINO candidates,” mentioned Ryan Kircher, mentioned Dekker concerning Ryan Kircher.
“Dallas Martin is what a DINO is all about – whether or not or not it’s advancing know-how, educating, or bringing his crew collectively to study from others and people in several industries. Dallas has actually moved our trade in lots of optimistic instructions,” mentioned Jason Lopes, a member of the DINO Choice Committee.
“Dallas’s ardour has led to quite a few developments leading to many patents for AM applied sciences. Curiously, he doesn’t write these patents for private profit however to learn all by advancing additive manufacturing,” mentioned Dekker.
“Patrick Gannon exemplifies the traits of a DINO together with his efforts to encourage new expertise, help clients to allow them to achieve success, and help the AMUG crew,” mentioned VanDeren. Aligned with Gannon’s skilled pursuits, he additionally helps center, excessive, and college college students by means of academic actions and challenges.
“Brennon White’s ardour for the AM trade has incited him to turn out to be a presenter, panelist, writer, and subject material professional in additive manufacturing. All of those contributions are for the aim of disseminating what he has realized,” mentioned Tom Sorovetz, director of occasions and hospitality at AMUG. Furthermore, Sorovetz famous that White has mentored colleagues and college students on the makes use of and implementations of AM within the automotive trade.
Receiving a DINO shouldn’t be the endgame for many who reveal the fervour and dedication that the DINO Choice Committee seeks. As an alternative, it’s a momentous milestone within the years-long help of the group. Over its 38-year historical past, AMUG has awarded solely 199 DINOs. LeMaster famous that 69 DINOs spanning 24 years had been current at AMUG 2025, representing 35% of all which have obtained this recognition. One other demonstration of ongoing dedication is that seven present AMUG Board members obtained DINOs 2 to 24 years prior.
Nominations for 2026 DINO candidates shall be accepted starting October 1, 2025.
