FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 12, 2004
For More Information Contact: ISEE Conference Manager | Lynn Mangol (440) 349-4400

DISTINQUISHED SERVICE AWARD WINNER AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
ANNOUNCED AT ISEE’S 30TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CLEVELAND, OHIO – The Distinguished Service Award was presented to David H. Bednar at the 30th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique. The Society’s annual award of merit is awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of explosives engineering.

Mr. Bednar has been a leader in introducing and pioneering significant advancements for open pit mining during his 42-year career. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1961. Mr. Bednar founded Viking Explosives & Supply, Inc. Under his leadership, developed and patented the Viking Blasthole Dewatering System. He introduced down-hole detonators to the Iron Range. David formed a company to produce new and unique ammonium nitrate products. Mr. Bednar has met the challenge of changes in the mining industry with technical innovations in both new products and systems.

The first industry Hall of Fame inductee was awarded to John (Jack) Darby Loizeaux. Mr. Loizeaux graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Forestry. He took his knowledge of the use of explosives and built Controlled Demolition Inc. into a company that is familiar around the world. In 1960, Jack with his life and business partner of 52 years, Freddie Hill Loizeaux, started a business that grew with Jack’s development of technique and his wife’s public relations expertise. Their well-publicized work gave recognition to the controlled use of explosives in demolition. Today their children and grandchildren carry on the business.

Additional awards recipients presented at the Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet were Larry Wardrip, Blaster's Leadership Award; Eugene Baker, President’s Commendation Award; and Jack Eloranta, Michael Koehler, and Duane Niesen, President's Award.

More than 1,500 blasters, manufacturers, government officials, and suppliers gathered from all over the world to conduct business, exchange information, and form new business alliances at ISEE’s 30th Annual Conference, held at the Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 1 – 4, 2004.

The highlight of the popular Blasters Weekend Package was Saturday's Blasters Training Seminar and Sunday’s Blasters R Us Video Roundup. Attendees filled the sold out exhibit hall during Sunday's Welcome Reception. Technical sessions officially started on Monday with over seventy papers presented on topics ranging from blasting, underground, safety, vibration, regulations, security and research. The International events brought guests together from all over the world. The Electronic Detonators Workshop featured the latest in technological advancements.

ISEE will sponsor the 31st Annual Conference to be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, Florida, February 6 – 9, 2005. The Call for Papers announcement will be mailed soon and ISEE will be accepting abstracts for presentation at the Conference and publication in the Proceedings.

The International Society of Explosives Engineers has grown to represent more than 4,900 members from more than 90 countries. The Society extends a welcome to anyone wishing to participate in the 31st Annual Conference. For more information, or to inquire about membership in the Society, call, fax or write:

International Society of Explosives Engineers
30325 Bainbridge Road, Cleveland, OH 44139, Tel (440) 349-4400 or Fax (440) 349-3788

Editor’s Note: Photos can be downloaded from website: http://www.isee.org/downloads/BednarMar04.jpg
and http://www.isee.org/downloads/LoizeauxMar04.jpg

# # # # #