2011 Recipients
Tim Provo, Elements
Tim Provo had been in the exhibition industry since he was 18 years old. He started as a warehouseman, became a carpenter, then a project manager, account manager, account executive, and then a business owner of Elements Exhibits. Tim passed away last fall after a long bout with cancer.
Sandi Todd, Czarnowski
Sandi Todd worked for ExhibtGroup for 13 years in administrative and field services positions, and then moved to Czarnowski where she has worked in the same capacity for the past 17 years Sandi was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in January 2011, and had a bilateral mastectomy in March 2011. Since that time she has undergone surgeries for reconstruction and is receiving physical therapy and medication to prevent a re-occurrence of the disease. Sandi has been unable to work for months and has mounting medical bills.
Smitesh Kamar, Taylor Group
Smitesh was the Operations Manager for the Taylor Group for the past 3 years. Prior to that, Smitesh had worked for MICE Canada for 7+ years as Project Manager Supervisor. Smitesh was diagnosed with cancer this past March and passed away on April 9, 2011. He leaves behind his wife, Amisha, and their children. While Amisha has been actively seeking work she is currently unemployed and has no source of income.
Steve Hutinett
Husband of Sharon Hutinett, American Academy of Family Physicians
Steve Hutinett is the husband of Sharon Hutinett of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Sharon Cordry Hutinett literally grew up at the American Academy of Family Physicians and was the Manager of Exhibit Sales and Services for the last 15 years of her 27 year tenure with AAFP. Sharon was member of HCEA for 10 plus years and was a member of the Board of Directors, the Annual Meeting Committee, Industry Relations Panel, Membership Committee, and several Task Force Groups. On June 30, 2011, Sharon and her husband Steve were involved in tragic automobile accident that resulted in his death. While Sharon's injuries are not life threatening, she has been unable to work and has loss the income of her spouse, her soul mate, and the father of her children, Steve Hutinett. Sharon is concerned about her mounting medical expenses, as well as the future for her, her kids, and their college education.
Tom Wolf, Admore, ExhibitGroup Atlanta, Czarnowski
Tom Wolf had been working with CAD in the exhibit industry for the past 25 years. First, pioneering the use of CAD for exhibit detailing with Admore, Inc. in Boston, MA. From there he moved to Atlanta with Admore and managed CAD departments for the original location along with Atlanta, and later on, San Francisco. After Admore, Tom moved on to ExhibitGroup where he also acted as CAD Manager implementing and supporting CAD departments at their major locations. After ExhibitGroup, Tom remained involved with CAD, either as a freelancer, or department manager with Architectural Concepts, Inc., Compass Collective, and finally Czarnowski.
In June of last year Tom began having serious complications due to a spinal cord injury he suffered as a teenager. Complications include Neuropathic pain, Spontaneous Anaphylactic Shock, Autonomic Disreflexia, and a mild stroke. This has not allowed him to work or live on his own. His sole source of income now is Social Security Disability which has not kept pace with his mounting medical bills. He is currently living with his sister in Northern Virginia.
![Mike 2[9].jpg](/images/t_Mike 2[9].jpg)
Mike Swartout, Classic Exhibits, Inc.
Mike has served as the Director of Design for Classic Exhibits since 2001. His efforts have been instrumental in Classic's design leadership in modular, hybrid and custom exhibits. More than two years ago, Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. He has undergone several courses of radiation and chemotherapy. Many of the therapies Mike has endured have been experimental in hopes that the results will benefit future victims of this disease and increase their odds of survival. To those who work with him every day and to those who will benefit from the research, we are inspired by Mike's courage, strength and generosity. Mike's medical expenses during the past two years have created a severe financial hardship for him, his wife Janet, and his family. On top of that, Mike does not have life insurance, which further imperils Janet's financial future once Mike is gone.
Mike continues to work every day, and his dedication to Classic distributors is inspiring. There is rarely a day that Mike's creativity and problem solving doesn't contribute to the success of someone in the Classic Exhibits family.
Bill Radtke, Hamilton Exhibits
Bill Radtke was in the exhibit industry for more than 40 years. Working as a field supervisor for Hamilton Displays, Bill was always proud to say that he had set-up and supervised an exhibit for a client in all 50 states, and three continents. He was known and loved by all who knew him. He was always the first person to arrive in the booth and the last to leave.
Bill passed away on June 22 in Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife Cathy, by his son, Bill and by daughter, Tammy Stoughton. Bill also had four stepchildren - Cassandra McIntosh, Michael McIntosh, Byron McIntosh, and Sean McIntosh, as well as 4 grandchildren and 11 step grandchildren.
Carli Rogers
Wife of Jeremiah Rogers, Czarnowski
Carli Rogers was the wife of Jeremiah Rogers of Czarnowski in Atlanta. Jeremiah has worked with Czarnowski for the past 6 years as warehouse pull and prep man, with special responsibilities on the Electrolux and Phillips accounts. He serves as the lead for the Porsche account and manages all their exhibit properties in the warehouse. Jeremiah's wife, Carli, passed away suddently on September 6, 2011 from a brain seizure.
Larry Przybyla, Freeman
Larry Przybyla was a dedicated truck driver who started in the industry at age 17 with J&J Trucking. He later worked for Premier Trucking, and for the last 11 years worked for Freeman. Larry was killed in a tragic accident five days after his 47th birthday, and one day after his 29th wedding anniversary. Larry leaves behind his wife and soulmate, Laura, and his daughter who is expecting her first child.
Kathy Bartol, The TERM Group
Kathy Bartol is an 11 year employee of The TERM Group, LLC, as office administrator. Kathy is 41 years old and a single mother of her 10 year old daughter, Serenity. Kathy was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in October, 2010, after feeling a lump under her arm and spiking a fever one day. Following her diagnosis, any many tests and doctor appointments later, Kathy underwent five months of chemotherapy.
After her chemo in April 2011, she had surgery to remove 15 lymph nodes from under hen arm, and a partial lumpectomy was performed. In June she her treatment regimen continued with daily radiation therapy which concluded on July 30. Kathy's medical bills have accumulated as her insurance only covered a partial amount of the medical fees. Her medical bills has severely affected her day-to-day living as she was already on a very strict budget while providing for herself and her daughter as a single parent. Despite those challenges, Kathy comes to work every day and even when she was recovering from surgery would find a way to be productive at work from her home. Kathy also is a key volunteer at the Chicago Randy and administers golf registrations and finances for that ancillary RSMGC event.
She is currently in remission, and has a new hair style now that her hair has grown back!
