MHI Presents Awards

During its Annual Conference in Palm Springs, CA, MHI awarded several professionals for excellence in the supply chain industry. The honorees were recognized during Industry Awards Night on September 29.

The Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI), a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide financial support for educational programs to engage and retain talent for the material handling industry, presented its Reed-Apple Award to Dr. Michael Kay. Kay is an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering at NC State University. He was acknowledged for developing the Material Handling Equipment Taxonomy, authoring more than 130 technical works, and serving as past president of the College-Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE).

Additionally, MHI’s Young Professional Network (YPN), a community devoted to developing and retaining the future leaders of the material handling industry, presented George May with the 2026 Outstanding YPNer award. May is a national sales director for McCue Corporation. The award recognizes an MHI member company employee, age 40 or younger, who demonstrates exceptional professional achievement, strong leadership capabilities and active engagement.

The community also presented its 2026 Outstanding YPN Mentor Award at the Annual Conference. Ajit Baridun, director of business development at Hytrol Conveyor Company, received this honor for providing guidance, serving as a positive role model, and advocating for the growth and development of other professionals.

MHI provides educational, business development, networking and solution sourcing opportunities.

The Marketing Professionals (Mpro) community, a dynamic group within MHI dedicated to empowering marketers, recognized Caroline Holley as its 2026 Outstanding Marketer. Holley is marketing manager for Talos Engineered Products. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional marketing leadership, creativity, and measurable impact in the material handling and supply chain industry.

Lastly, MHI recognized the following industry leaders who are concluding their service to an MHI Industry Group:

• Molly Wood, president of Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), 2025-2026
• Kelly Wehner, chair of Ergonomics Assist Systems Equipment (EASE), 2023-2026
• Randall Dickinson, chair of Lift Manufacturers (LIFT), 2025-2026
• Brett Lindstrom, chair of Loading Dock Equipment Manufacturers (LODEM), 2025-2026
• John Schmidt, president of Rack Manufacturers (RMI), 2024-2026

The 2026 MHI Annual Conference was held September 27-30 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California. The event connected supply chain professionals through keynotes, educational sessions, MHI Industry Group meetings, and networking events.