Woodington Award

Woodington Award For Professionalism in Metrology

The Woodington Award is intended to honor those individuals who personify the highest level of professionalism and Dedication to the Measurement community. Do you know such an individual? Someone whom consistently demonstrates dedication, unquestioned competence and commitment? Has this individual demonstrated noteworthy professional achievements that have warranted national and or international recognition?

The Woodington Award since its 1978 inception has been an annual award under the aegis of the Measurement Science Conference. Awarded by the Conference, we welcome you to submit any candidates for consideration to the Measurement Science Conference organizing committee. Please forward your recommendation for the 2024 MSC Woodington Award to Chuck Ellis email should be ellis@proficiency.org.

Purpose

This award, sponsored as a memorial to the late Andrew J. Woodington, is the measurement community’s recognition of an individual who represents the highest level of professionalism, and dedication to the Metrology profession.

Background

“Andy” Woondington’s presence as a Metrology Professional impacted all of us. He served as Chairman of the National Conference of Standards Laboratories (NCSL) before the office was changed to President. He was Director of the Metrology Division (METROD) of the Instrument Society of America. Andy co-chaired the 1972 Joint Measurement Conference at Boulder, Colorado. He participated in many other Metrology activities in addition to his work with General Dynamics, San Diego, and the Navy Metrology Engineering Center, Pomona. Andy was a person who clearly personified the expression “Metrology Professional.” The Woodington Award was conceived following Andy’s untimely death just days before the 1978 Measurement Science Conference.

Qualifications

Nominees for the Woodington Award are to have exhibited noteworthy professional achievement in the Metrology field. Nominees are to have warranted national or international recognition and acceptance as Metrology professionals who consistently perform and conduct themselves with dedication, competence, and commitment, and also inspire and enhance the professional status of others working in Metrology. The areas of achievement and expertise to be demonstrated by the nominees need not be restricted to technical, as managerial and administrative contributions are equally important. All in all, the winner of the Woodington Award must represent the highest level of professionalism and dedication to the Metrology community.

Award and Presentation

A honorarium, a certificate, and an engraved plaque will be presented during a general sessions of the Measurement Science Conference.

Woodington Award Winners

Andrew J. Woodington Award Past Recipients

Congratulations to the 2025 Woodington Award Winner, Roberto Benitez!

2026 Woodington Award Roberto Benitez

Today, we honor a visionary whose career has shaped the practice, rigor, and humanity of measurement science across Mexico and far beyond.

For more than four decades, this leader has advanced metrology and biomedical calibration with a rare blend of technical mastery, entrepreneurial courage, and public‑spirited mentorship. He currently serves as the Principal CEO of a premier metrology laboratory in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, where he has championed innovation aligned with Industry 4.0 and the emergent promise of Metrology 4.0—bringing data‑driven methods, IoT connectivity, and digital quality systems into everyday calibration practice.

His journey began in 1980 as Calibration Laboratory Manager at Conductores Monterrey – Xignux, where he established robust laboratory systems during a pivotal era for electronic measurement. In 1993, he became Director General of Etalons Metrología, leading for over 25 years through sweeping technological transitions and the global move toward accreditation. Since 2019, he has guided ETALONET as Principal CEO, where the organization is recognized for ISO/IEC 17025:2017‑accredited capabilities—including specialized biomedical calibration—supporting vital sectors such as aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and healthcare.

His impact reaches well beyond the organizations he has led. For decades, he has been a consistent, reliable, and dedicated instructor at the Measurement Science Conference, mentoring generations of practitioners with the same care and precision that define his technical work. Internationally, his contributions include a poster at CIM France (2017) on alternative methods for ECG simulator calibration, and a NCSLI USA (2014) conference presentation proposing an innovative approach to infant incubator qualification—work that has helped make biomedical metrology more practical and accessible for hospitals and health systems.

He also serves as Commercial Manager for the magazine Biometrología, has contributed to national healthcare standards as a member of the EMA Healthcare Subcommittee (2020), and has been a proud member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) since 2013. He earned his Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology from the Tecnológico de Monterrey (1969–1972).

Through it all, he has remained steadfastly devoted to his family—his constant source of strength and purpose—and to a profession he has elevated through integrity, scholarship, and service.

It is our great honor to present this award to a pioneer of metrology, a champion of biomedical calibration, a pillar of the Measurement Science Conference community, and a devoted family man… Roberto Benitez.

 

 

YearRecipientLocation
1979Laurel AusierCal-Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA
1980/81NoneInn at the Park, Anaheim, CA
1982Albert K. EdgertonVacation Village, San Diego, CA
1983Dr. Glenn F. EngenHyatt Hotel, Palo Alto, CA
1984Jerry HayesQueen Mary, Long Beach, CA
1985W. G. Eicke – N. B. BedeckiMarriott Hotel, Santa Clara, CA
1986Frank K. KoideIrvine Marriott, Irvine, CA
1987Dr. Krause JaegerIrvine Marriott, Irvine, CA
1988Algior Lancer (Posthumous)Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, CA
1989Dean BrungartAnaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA
1990Dr. Charles TiltforthAnaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA
1991Gary DavidsonDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
1992Robert CoutureDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
1993Robert WeberAnaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA
1994Les HuntzeyPasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
1995Joe SimmonsAnaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA
1996Philip PainchaudAnaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA
1997Georgia HarrisPasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
1998Patrick NolanPasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
1999Dr. Charles EhrlichDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2000John WehmeyerDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2001Dr. David BraseltonDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2002TXumo LiDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2003Dave AgyDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2004Dr. Arthur McCoubreyDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2005Chet CraneDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2006Del CaldwellDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2007Dr. Howard Castrup; Dr. Dennis Jackson; David DenverLong Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA
2008Dewayne Sharp (Posthumous)Disneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2009Jesse MorseDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2010Dilip ShahPasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
2011Jeff GustPasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
2012Klaus–Dieter SommerDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2013Douglas SuggDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2014Dr. James OlthoffLong Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA
2015Jay Bucher (Posthumous)Disneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2016Arman HovakemianDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2017Chris GrachanDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2018Greg StrouseDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2019Howard ZionDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2020Ronald GinleyDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2021Greg ConkerDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2022Charles EllisHilton Hotel, Anaheim, CA
2023John BowmanDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2024Duane BrownDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2025Dawn CrossDisneyland® Hotel Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
2026Roberto BenitezHyatt Regency Hotel, Garden Grove

Get Your Ticket Now

Register today and reserve your spot. Your ticket includes full conference access, training tracks, exhibits,
and networking events. Prices increase soon—get your ticket now.