Valve Manufacturers Association announces person of the year and service awards winners

During its annual meeting that took place in Santa Barbara, CA, this September, the Valve Manufacturers Association announced its 2022 Person of the Year and Service Award recipients. The Person of the Year Award is VMA’s highest honour and is given to one individual each year. The winner truly possesses passion for the industry and shares their knowledge with others to help advance VMA and the industry at large.

Bryan Burns (above right), president and CEO at DeZURIK, Inc., a valve manufacturer for municipal and industrial applications, was named the 2022 Person of the Year. Burns has been influential in many aspects of the association over the past few years, including launching the development of the Strategic Plan, serving as the VMA board chair, and guiding the organization through the first year of the pandemic. In addition, his peers recognized him for his leadership, volunteering and stepping up when asked, as well as supporting others at DeZURIK to be involved with VMA.

“Bryan has continued to have impact on the VMA even after he served as the association’s board of directors chair in 2020.” remarked Heather Rhoderick, VMA president. “On behalf of all the VMA members, I am grateful for Bryan’s guidance and leadership of the VMA and industrial valve industry at large.”

The Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service, expertise and guidance while participating on a committee.

Kyndle McMurray (above left), marketing manager at Richards Industrials, received a VMA Service Award for having gone above and beyond in supporting VMA, contributing to committee efforts and working with committees and staff to deliver value.  Her company is a manufacturers of valves and pressure regulars.

She has been a member of the Marketing & Communications Committee for many years. Specifically, this past year, McMurray stepped in to fill the VMA Marketing & Communications Committee chair role quickly and took charge of the committee’s role at the Valve Forum this past April. She also served on the Strategic Planning Committee.

“VMA is only as strong as its members and is dependent on volunteers like Kyndle to provide their knowledge and expertise for the advancement of VMA and industry. We are honoured to have both Bryan and Kyndle as part of the VMA.” said Rhoderick.

Learn more about the VMA award winners and past winners at www.vma.org/awards.

Founded in 1938, the Valve Manufacturers Association of America is a trade association that represents the interests of nearly 150 North American manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and repair companies of valves, actuators, and controls. VMA is headquartered in Washington, DC.