2008 Recipients
Jeff Gates,
PRG Hi-Tech
Jeff Gates who worked in the trade show industry for 20 years
as Video Engineer with PRG Hi-Tech and others, died of a heart
attack on July 17, 2008 at the age of 43. This unexpected
event was a complete shock to all those who knew and loved
Jeff.
Jim Dock, Expotechnik
Jim Dock, a long time industry veteran who held positions at
Heritage Communications, I&D, Inc., Taylor Manufacturing,
Expotechnik, as well as consulting with a number of trade show
contractors, lost his life to cancer earlier this year after a
long illness. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy,
and two daughters, Amanda and Andrea.
Keri Lee Ann Mincy, 16, of Monticello
GA, was killed in a tragic heavy equipment accident. She is the
daughter of long time Design Agency field Supervisor Ron Mincy
and his wife Kathy. The Mincy’s portion of
the proceeds from the RSMGC will be donated to a youth center
being constructed @ the New Rocky Creek Baptist Church that
will be named after Keri.
Jim Vrzal, Skyline Atlanta, GES
Jim Vrzal was a long time show floor lead man and supervisor (Skyline, GES) who passed away at the age of 44 from a heart attack. Jim is survived by his wife Shellie and three children, Andrew 20, Tyler 17 and Adam 11. Jim was the son in law of GES Atlanta VP Danny Harris.
James Wetherington, Optima
Graphics
James Douglas Wetherington, Junior passed away March 1, 2008,
in St. Louis, Mo. He was born in Little Rock, Ar, on February
5, 1984. He graduated with honors from North Little Rock High
School. After a courageous six month battle
with brain cancer, he was called home by his God and Savior.
The family would like to thank his doctors, Dr. Finie, Dr.
Baglan, and Dr. Backer, at St. Johns Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
Jimmy leaves to cherish his
memory his best friend and the love of his life, Kaila Hopson;
his parents, Jim and Edna Wetherington; his brother John; his
aunts Joy Williams, Pat Heckel, Hanna Eaves, Susan
Wetherington; Kay Wetherington,; his uncles Gene Heckel, Roy
Eaves, Bill Stipp and Sonny Wetherington; his grandparents
Elmer and Sue Wetherington. He also leaves a host of friends in
Arkansas and Missouri.
Bonnie Distasio, Champion
Logistics Group
Bonnie Distasio was honored at the 2008 Rally at the Alley in
Boston. Bonnie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and has
faced the most difficult year of her life with the support of
her husband and young children. A Champion employee since 2005,
Bonnie has struggled to maintain a sense of balance as she
battled and beat this terrible disease.
Richard Coronet, Zenith
LaborNet.
Richard Coronet, who was a leadman for Zenith LaborNet for 14
years, died of a heart attack while working in a booth at NACS
on November 9, 2007. Richard left behind his wife,
Melinda, two children (Steven and Wendy), and 2
grandchildren.
Mike (Milenko) Skutor
Mike is a 15-year lead man for the Term Group, LLC, passed away
in July after a long battle with lung cancer, at the age of 49.
Mike is a native of Yugoslavia which is his final resting
place. Prior to the Term Group’s inception in 1998,
Mike started as a carpenter with Metro Exhibitors Service, and
was a very loyal member of the Metro/Term family, working his
way to lead carpenter. In Mike’s short, but adventurous
life, his accomplishments were many including being a
professional soccer player in his home country. He
was also a championship cliff diver off the Jamaican coast
where he visited with his wife Nada every Christmas season.
Mike had a great sense of humor that made the days go a
little easier, he will be greatly missed. He is survived by his
wife Nada and many family members still residing in
Yugoslavia.
Jane Perchinske, Champion
Exposition Services
Jane has been in the trade show industry for almost 25 years.
Her career began when she traveled to Atlanta to help her
brother-in-law out with the Marine Trade Show. What started out
as summer job spiraled into a career opportunity at
Andrews-Bartlett. Jane accepted a position in customer service
at AB and made Atlanta, GA her permanent residence.
During her years at AB, Jane was promoted to customer service
manager, and then in 1995 after GES bought Andrews Bartlett
Jane made her way over to MC². After four years of
hard work, at MC², Jane made her final move over to
Champion Exposition Services. Jane has been with Champion for
almost ten years now. She serves as the AE for various
accounts.
Recently, Jane was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer that has advanced to her liver. Although this news is discouraging, Jane has kept her head held high and attacked this disease with a vengeance. Jane will face many obstacles while battling this disease, but has always used humor and laughter as her main form of medication. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments at Emory Hospital and is hopeful that with perseverance, a positive attitude and patience she will overcome this disease.
