Chapter Awards & Recognition

2019 Potomac Chapter Awards received at the ISEE 45th Annual Explosives & Blasting Conference in Nashville, TN.

Potomac Chapter wins 4 awards at the ISEE 45th Annual Explosives & Blasting Conference in Nashville, TN. From left to right are Lon Santis, PC Board Member, Bryan Smith, PC Board Member, Chris Monger, PC President and Mel Fletcher, PC Secretary.
Mel Fletcher (left) is presented the ISEE 2019 President’s Award by ISEE President Jim Daley at the ISEE 45th Annual Explosives & Blasting Conference in Nashville, TN on 1/27/19.

2018 Potomac Chapter Awards received at the ISEE 44th Annual Explosives & Blasting Conference in San Antonio, TX.

2017 Potomac Chapter Awards given at the 43rd ISEE Annual Convention on Explosives and Blasting Technique held in Orlando, FL on January 29, 2017

Chapter Membership Trophy is presented (from L to R) PC Bd Member Chris Monger, ISEE Bd of Directors President Jack W Eloranta, PC President Bryan Smith and PC Secretary Mel Fletcher.

The Chapter Membership Trophy is awarded annually and passed between chapters and awarded to the Chapter showing the highest increase in the number of new international ISEE members.  This was the 3rd time the Potomac Chapter has won this award since it began in 2001.  The other 2 years were 2008 & 2010.

Chapter Website Award – given to the Chapters with the most outstanding websites. This was the 5th time in the last 6 years that the award has been given to the PC.

Chapter Quality Operations Award – given to the Chapters with the most timely and organized submission the ISEE.

Chapter Volunteer Service Award – given to the PC Treasurer Brad Bockey.

Chapter Volunteer Service Award – given to the PC Secretary Mel Fletcher.

2016 Potomac Chapter Awards given at the 42nd ISEE Annual Convention on Explosives and Blasting Technique held in Las Vegas, NV.

Mike Donahue accepts the Chapter Newsletter Award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter.
Mel Fletcher accepts the Chapter Website Award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter.
Mike Koehler, ISEE President (left) presents Potomac Chapter Member Billy Zimmerman of Luck Stone with the ISEE 2016 Blaster's Leadership Award at the ISEE Convention in Las Vegas, NV on 2/2/16. Only ONE Blaster's Leadership Award is given annually by the ISEE to those who exemplify the blaster in the field and have given generously of time and talents in helping fellow blasters.

2015 Potomac Chapter Awards given at the 41st ISEE Annual Convention on Explosives and Blasting Technique held in New Orleans, LO.

Mel Fletcher accepts the Chapter Website Award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter.
Mel Fletcher accepts the Chapter Newsletter Award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter.

2013 Potomac Chapter Awards

Lon Santis wins ISEE Presidents Award

Lon Santis<br />
The President's Award is presented to those who have unselfishly contributed to the Society their time, talents, and effort in a voluntary capacity.
Lon Santis - The President's Award is presented to those who have unselfishly contributed to the Society their time, talents, and effort in a voluntary capacity.
Potomac Chapter Website Award
Lon Santis (right) accepts the Chapter Website Award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter of ISEE from John Capers (left).
Lon Santis (right) accepts the Chapter Website Award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter of ISEE from John Capers (left).

Potomac Chapter Wins International Website Award for 2nd year in a row!!

2012 Potomac Chapter Awards

2012 Potomac Chapter Website and Newsletter Awards
Mel Fletcher accepts the chapter website award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter
Mel Fletcher accepts the chapter website award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter
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Frank Klebieko accepts the chapter newsletter award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter
Frank Klebieko accepts the chapter newsletter award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter

Potomac Chapter Wins International Website & Newsletter Awards!!

The International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) recently held their 38th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center located in Nashville, TN.  The conference was attended by Chapter Members Frank and Nikki Klebieko, Bob Spaniol, Dave Collins, Brian McCombie, Lon Santis, Jim Miller, Joe Colicchie, Jason Blais, Scott Becker, Billy Zimmerman, George Field and Mel Fletcher.  The Conference was a huge event having a pre-registered attendance of 1,070; there were also over 100 exhibits of blasting related industry products and services. The ISEE, established in 1974, has more than 4,600 members in 90 countries and is represented by 36 Chapters in the United States, Canada and South America.  At the Sunday Morning, February 12, 2012 Chapter Management Workshop, attended by Frank, Bob & Mel, the ISEE Board of Directors awarded the Potomac Chapter the Chapter Website Award.  This is the first time our Chapter has ever won this award!  Our Chapter was also awarded the Chapter Newsletter Award – In Print.  Since 1993, when this award was first given, the Potomac Chapter has won this award an impressive 9 times.  A special thanks to any and all chapter members who helped in making these two endeavors an award winning experience.

2011 Potomac Chapter Awards

Potomac Chapter Newsletter Award and Volunteer Appreciation Award

Potomac Chapter Recognized at ISEE Annual Conference

Members of the Potomac Chapter of the ISEE received three of the four awards presented at the Chapter Leadership Workshop held February 6, 2011 at the ISEE’s 37th Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. The chapter itself received two awards, the Chapter Membership Trophy and the Chapter Newsletter Award. The Chapter Membership Trophy is given to the chapter for increasing chapter ISEE membership by a substantial percentage during the last reported membership rebate period. The Potomac chapters’ name will be inscribed on the trophy, which resides at the ISEE offices in Cleveland, OH. The Chapter Newsletter Award recognizes the best chapter newsletter(s) based on such standards as content, appearance, and consistency. Congratulations to our editor Dave Miller of Seismic Surveys and the many people contribute to the BANG! Mel Fletcher received the Chapter Volunteer Appreciation Award which gives recognition to a Chapter Leader and/or staff person for work done on behalf of the chapter. Mel was instrumental in re-writing the Maryland Blasters Examination. He spent countless hours of his own time typing questions, cross checking references, calling and chairing meetings to collaborate with other industry professionals in writing and reviewing of questions. Mel also put forth extra effort in securing financing, purchasing, and preparing calculators for the attendees at the ISEE Potomac Chapter two-day seminar in November 2010. Along with the calculators, Mel has provided training and assisted blasters in learning the blast calculations they need to know to pass a blasters test and to be better in the field. Thank you and Congratulations, Mel!
Lon Santis accepts the chapter newsletter award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter
Lon Santis accepts the chapter newsletter award on behalf of the Potomac Chapter