Since 1958, this award has been bestowed on outstanding SME members who, in the judgment of the International Awards & Recognition Committee, have made valued, balanced contributions to SME's professional activities and growth.

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Matthew Clegg
Marine Equipment Designer
Manson Construction Co.
Seattle

Matthew Clegg is being recognized for his achievements as chair of SME Seattle Chapter 39. As chair, Clegg set a goal for the chapter to regain its platinum chapter status. His unwavering resolve led the chapter to this pinnacle achievement, making Chapter 39 one of only 11 platinum chapters in 2020.

Matthew Clegg graduated from Central Washington University with music performance and industrial engineering degrees. His industry background includes extensive SolidWorks certification, additive manufacturing, laser scanning, reverse engineering, foundry, machining and marine design. As a marine equipment designer for Manson Construction, Clegg supports a large fleet of derrick barge cranes, tugs and dredges deployed throughout the waterways of North America. During his second term as chair of SME Seattle Chapter 39, Clegg focused on bolstering local college engineering programs by supporting five SME student chapters and growing the Seattle professional chapter to be one of the largest in the nation. SME Member Since 2014

Hwa-Soo Lee, PhD, LSME, CMfgE
Professor
Nihon University
Tokyo

Hwa-Soo Lee was selected as a 2021 Award of Merit recipient for his valued contributions to SME Japan Chapter 180, particularly as the certification officer. Lee's ongoing efforts led to over 1,700 successful applicants achieving Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) and Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) certification status from 1994 to 2020.

After working as a machine tool engineer in Amada Co., Hwa-Soo Lee, PhD, LSME, CMfgE, also worked for Sophia University and Nihon University. During his career, Lee has contributed extensively to research on machine tool vibration at companies and universities as well as to the fostering of students and engineers in the manufacturing industry. An SME life member, he served as the former chair of the SME Tokyo chapter (now known as Japan Chapter 180), was a member of Chapter 180’s Chapter Executive Committee and also served as its certification officer. Lee was instrumental in starting the various activities surrounding SME’s Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) and Certified Manufacturing Technology (CMfgT) certifications in Japan in 1994; he was also the first chapter member to be CMfgE certified. Through his contributions and oversight from 1994 to 2020, more than 1,700 engineers have earned their CMfgE/CMfgT certifications. In 2017, Lee started additional activities to help university students acquire their CMfgT qualifications and continues his dedication to educating young engineers. SME Member Since 1987