At the First PCEA National Convention, May 17, 1975, Dale Gillis, Vice President of G.G. Ray Co. of Charlotte, a large Roofing Company at that time, presented to the Association two handsome trophies as a memorial award in memory of Rudolph John Barnes, Past President of G.G. Ray Company. Mr. Barnes was a strong supporter in the efforts made to make the PCEA a National Association. Since that time, the Rudolph John Barnes Award has been presented annually by National PCEA to recognize exceptional service at the National level by an outstanding individual in the Association. The original selection committee was made up of the National Directors from each chapter and they chose the recipient from members presented to them by their various chapters. This selection committee was later changed as the Association grew to the present Committee that consists of the five most recent active recipients.  The award consists of a large trophy with the recipient's name affixed, and is retained by the recipient for a period of one year, until the next recipient is selected.   A smaller trophy is then presented to the previous recipient as a permanent award.

Don Howard named the 2018-2019 National Estimator of the Year

This year’s recipient is Don Howard. 

Perhaps the most coveted award given by PCEA is the Rudolph John Barnes National Estimator of the Year Award.  This award is given annually to a person that has gone above and beyond on the National Level to contribute to the success of PCEA.  

Don joined the PCEA as a member of the Coastal Plains Chapter in June of 1990. At the chapter level, Don served on  the Board of Directors as First Vice President, National Director, and President.  He has also been active on the National level, serving on their Board of Directors as Vice President and within the Executive Committee. Don is also active within his community, having served on The Southern Flue Cured Tobacco Festival Board, Covenant Church Trustee, Pitt County Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, Michael Jordan Celebrity Golf Classic Committee, Cub Scout Pack 340 Pack Master, and Boy Scout Troop 340 Assistant Scoutmaster.

Mr. Howard, the PCEA thanks you for everything you have contributed to our association and the industry as a whole.

Past Recipients