May 2024 Volume 6

INDUSTRY NEWS

The 2024 FIA Lifetime Achievement Award winners were announced at the FIA Annual Meeting of Members in Colorado Springs, CO on April 20, 2024. This award recognizes and honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Forging Industry Asso ciation and the forging industry as a whole. Past honorees include: Willard Walker, Sr., Algirdas Underys, Peter Georgeson, Robert Barensfeld, David Moxlow, Sharon Haverstock, and Don Jones. The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award winners are Rick Creed and John Walters. Congratulations to the 2024 FIA Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Rick Creed Upon graduating from LSU in 1973, Rick Creed joined Cameron Iron Works’ Forged Products Division as an Industrial Engineer. He “cut his teeth” on steel oil field forgings and nickel based aero-engine forgings before

John Walters John Walters boasts a career spanning over 40 years in the forging industry. From 1976 to 1994, he honed his expertise during his 17-year tenure at Cameron Iron Works (now Wyman Gordon Houston - PCC), where he held various technical and managerial roles.

being named Machining and Tool and Die Superintendent, all while earning an MBA from the University of Houston. In 1982 he then transfered to Cameron’s Livingston, Scotland facility where he managed production of aero-engine, aero-structure, nuclear and oilfield application forgings. Rick returned to Houston in 1988 as Operations Director and then Sales Director. With the Cooper Industries’ acquisition of Cameron, Rick became the Gardner Denver Plant Manager, but when Wyman Gordon purchased Cameron Forge, Rick returned to forging as Wyman Gordon’s Operations Director. He oversaw the production of very large aero structure forgings on Wyman’s 50,000-ton press (foreshadowing a later career milestone) and was named as Aero-Structures Business Vice President.

His achievements included pioneering the design and development of turbine disk forgings, implementing advanced analytical models for forging processes, and spearheading the adoption of an integrated IS system throughout the factory.

Transitioning to a leadership role, John served as Vice President at Scientific Forming Technologies Corporation from 1994 to 2019. Here, he revolutionized the industry by introducing process simulation to smaller forging shops and managing high-profile modernization projects funded by the Department of Defense. His contri butions extended beyond his corporate responsibilities, as he actively participated in technical committees, authored numerous papers, and played a pivotal role in forging education and research initiatives.

In 2000, Rick joined Firth Rixson as Executive VP of Viking Metallurgical managing production of rolled ring forg ings, then spent a brief period offering sales and marketing consultation and represen tation for Lenape Forge, KomTek, and Czech Precision Forge. In 2005 Rick began the climax of his career as Weber Metals’ President and CEO. He grew the company 4-fold estab lishing Weber as the preferred supplier of

A graduate of the University of Santa Clara with a BSME, John also held a Registered Professional Engineer status in Texas. Even in retirement, his passion for challenges remains undiminished, evident through his engagement in triathlons, piloting with over 3,000 flight hours, community service with Angel Flights, and hobbies such as golf, cooking, gardening, and spending quality time with family, including his grandchildren. Congratulations to the 2024 FIA Lifetime Achievement Award Winners. For more information on eligibility or to submit a nominee, please contact Angela Gibian, Deputy Chief Executive, at angela@ forging.org or call 216-781-6260.

aluminum and titanium aero-structure forgings, earning several “Top Supplier” awards. He also directed Weber’s introduction into the supply of aero-engine forgings. Rick became very active in FIA, as a Board Member and President, as a representative to the FIERF Board, on the nominating committee and as a member of the Forg ingPAC. Rick was instrumental in the decision by Otto Fuchs to install a 60,000-ton press at Weber Metals, the largest private invest ment and the largest closed die forging press in America. Now retired, Rick continues to serve as Weber Metals’ Chairman of the Board.

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 69