On April 6, during the annual convention of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, Michael Weber of Island Acoustics was awarded the association’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award. In addition, George Kutcher, who recently retired from National Gypsum Company, received AWCI’s Distinguished Service Award.
AWCI’s Pinnacle Award is presented to an individual who most merits the wall and ceiling industry’s recognition and who has given unselfishly of his or her time and energies to benefit AWCI and the industry. Not only are candidates evaluated on their dedication to the industry, but on their civic and community work and the excellence of their companies.
Weber, president of Island Acoustics, LLC in Bohemia, N.Y., is a long-time AWCI member. He was the association’s 2009–2010 president and served on many industry committees over the years, including a lengthy stint a chairman of the AWCI Union Contractors Council. Weber has served as president of the Association of Wall-Ceiling & Carpentry Industries of New York (WC&C), an AWCI chapter, and was named WC&C Contractor of the Year in 2012.
Weber is a third generation carpenter who runs a second-generation family-owned business. Since its incorporation in 1969, Island Acoustics has evolved into a provider of a broad range of services including drywall, acoustics, specialty ceilings, exterior panel systems and more. The company’s portfolio includes churches, hospitals, hotels, industrial buildings, museums, office buildings, residential buildings, retail spaces, schools, restaurants and theaters.
Through his leadership at Island Acoustics, Weber supports many charitable organizations, including the New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, Autism Speaks, American Cancer Society and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.
AWCI’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Kutcher for his exemplary volunteer service to AWCI. A constant to AWCI for almost 30 years, Kutcher was involved with at least 15 AWCI committees, including the board of directors, and he attended all trade shows beginning in 1993 until retiring from National Gypsum Company in 2021.
Kutcher was one of the few non-contractor member to be invited to join the AWCI Nominating Committee, and he was among the small team that got AWCI CARES off the ground. He has been a leader with this philanthropy since its inception.
Additionally he chaired the INTEX Expo’s Booth Point Priority System Task Force, marshalling AWCI resources in the review and recommendation to the AWCI Supplier & Manufacturer Members Committee. His steady voice of reason and willingness to prioritize AWCI interest and goals sets the standard for involvement.
Kutcher built relationships and true friendships with contractor members, fellow manufacturers and many of AWCI’s staff. He was—and still is—a trusted colleague within the association and he has been an enthusiastic supporter of the association and National Gypsum Company.