Polyurea Excellence Awards

The American Polyurea Excellence Awards are the industry’s premier recognition program for outstanding achievement in polyurea application, innovation, education, and community leadership. Presented annually at the American Polyurea Symposium, these awards celebrate the professionals who push the boundaries of what polyurea can do and who invest in the growth and integrity of the industry.

Award Categories

🏗️ Outstanding Application of the Year

Recognizes the most technically impressive or innovative polyurea application project completed in the award year. Judging criteria include technical complexity, scope, creativity in problem-solving, and quality of execution. Projects in all application categories are eligible. Nominees must submit project documentation including scope, specification, surface preparation approach, application method, QC data, and project photos. The winner receives a trophy, $1,000 award, and featured coverage in American Polyurea publications and social channels.

🔬 Technical Innovation Award

Recognizes an American Polyurea member who has developed a novel technique, process improvement, quality control methodology, or application approach that advances the technical practice of polyurea application. Innovations may be in the areas of surface preparation, material handling, application equipment, thickness measurement, quality documentation, or any other technical aspect of the work. Winner receives a trophy and featured presentation slot at the Annual Symposium.

🌱 New Member of the Year

Presented to the American Polyurea member in their first or second year of membership who has demonstrated exceptional engagement, growth, and contribution to the community. This award recognizes members who quickly become active contributors — participating in chapter meetings, sharing knowledge, completing certifications, and building relationships in the broader community. Winner receives a trophy, complimentary membership renewal, and mentorship session with a senior member of their choice.

👥 Community Leadership Award

Recognizes a member who has made outstanding contributions to the American Polyurea community through chapter leadership, mentorship, education, or volunteer service. This award is often presented to experienced members who invest significant time in supporting others — through mentorship programs, chapter officer roles, webinar presentations, or other forms of community building. Rodrigo Castillo received this award in 2025 for mentoring a record 11 new applicators.

🎓 Education and Training Award

Presented to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to polyurea education and training — developing new curriculum, leading exceptional training programs, creating educational content, or building pathways for new entrants to the industry. Learn more about the education and training resources available through American Polyurea’s Education section.

🌎 Sustainability Leadership Award

Recognizes a member, company, or project that demonstrates leadership in applying polyurea in environmentally responsible ways — through sustainable specification, low-VOC formulation selection, waste reduction, or application in sustainability-focused projects such as water conservation infrastructure, stormwater management, or building envelope efficiency. ArmorThane received this award in 2023 for their sustainability manufacturing initiatives.

Past Award Winners

2025 Award Winners

• Outstanding Application: Tyler Nguyen, Gulf Coast Coatings — Municipal Wastewater Rehabilitation Program, Baton Rouge, LA
• Technical Innovation: Jennifer Rodriguez, Coastal Barrier Coatings — Stormwater Infrastructure QC Documentation System
• New Member of the Year: Marcus Webb, Webb Protective Coatings, Columbus, OH
• Community Leadership: Rodrigo Castillo, South Central Coatings — Record 11 Applicator Mentorships in 2025
• Education and Training: Eric Baumgartner, Baumgartner Coatings — Spray Equipment Troubleshooting Curriculum
• Sustainability Leadership: Sarah Whitmore, Alpine Coatings — High Altitude Water Infrastructure Projects, Colorado

2024 Award Winners

• Outstanding Application: Pacific Coast Protective Coatings — Seismic Retrofit, San Jose Civic Center
• Technical Innovation: Dennis Kowalski, Kowalski Industrial Coatings — Cold Temperature Application Protocol
• New Member of the Year: Jason Tillman, Tillman Spray Systems, Indianapolis, IN
• Community Leadership: Robert Flanagan, Flanagan Coatings — Northeast Chapter Membership Growth Initiative
• Education and Training: Rachel Kim, Great Plains Coatings — Cold Storage Facility Applications Training Series
• Sustainability Leadership: Sustainability in Polyurea Manufacturing recognition — ArmorThane

2023 Award Winners

• Outstanding Application: Southwest Industrial Coatings — Mining Ore Chute Lining, New Mexico
• Technical Innovation: Patricia Hendricks, Hendricks Coatings — Commercial Bid Documentation Framework
• New Member of the Year: Sandra Okonkwo, Great Lakes Industrial Coatings, Milwaukee, WI
• Community Leadership: Linda Sorensen, Northern Shield Coatings — North Central Chapter Formation
• Sustainability Leadership: ArmorThane — Sustainability Manufacturing Initiative

Nominate a Deserving Member

Excellence in the polyurea industry is built by people who go above and beyond — technically, professionally, and in service to the community. If you know an American Polyurea member who deserves recognition, please submit a nomination. Nominations are confidential and may be submitted by any active member through the Contact Us page.

The award gala is held at the American Polyurea Annual Symposium each fall. All members are welcome to attend. Learn more about the symposium and other upcoming events on the Events, Meetings & Webinars page. For questions about the awards program, connect with the American Polyurea community.