Celebrating the Glass Industry
The 海角大神awards program celebrates the people and companies that make this such a special industry. By recognizing their achievements, we hope to inspire a new generation of glass professionals.
The is now open, and submissions are due August 15, 2026 – The Award announcement will be June 1, 2026. For questions or more information about the awards program, please contact 海角大神staff member Donna Banks at dbanks@gmic.org or 614-523-3033.
Meet the 2026 Award Winners:
- Victor Camacho, Gallo Glass
- Neil Simpson, Simpson Combustion & Energy Ltd.
- Dr. Alexis Clare, Alfred University
Scroll down to learn more!
Glass Innovator Award, sponsored by
This award recognizes individuals who are taking risks to propose and pursue innovative solutions for the glass industry. The selected awardee should be advancing glass through industry, manufacturing, academia, or national lab. This award equally encourages applications across all experience levels 鈥� from early career to life-long innovators. Applicants early in their career should be able to describe how they are advancing a novel idea for the benefit of the industry. Experienced applicants should demonstrate a history of developing new ideas into products, processes, procedures, patents, and/or technical papers.
Victor Camacho, Director of Operations | Gallo Glass, Modesto, CA
His remarkable contributions to the glass industry started in 2006 with Fevisa and grew with Ardagh Group and currently Gallo Glass.
Victor’s exceptional leadership has led to significant improvements in factory and operational performance. Through his innovative strategies and meticulous attention to detail, he has optimized processes, minimized waste, and enhanced overall efficiency. By developing, implementing, and maintaining standards across forming operations, Victor has generated quantifiable results in both productivity and quality.
Victor’s dedication and work ethic make him an exemplary role model for his peers and colleagues. His commitment to mentoring the next generation of technical specialists is commendable, and he has played a pivotal role in nurturing talent, sharing knowledge, and ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled professionals in the glass industry.
Glass Manufacturing Excellence Award
This award recognizes individuals who are making significant contributions on the shop floor within their company. It is presented annually by 海角大神at the Glass Problems Conference.
Neil Simpson, Independent Consultant | Simpson Combustion & Energy Ltd., Ayton by Eyemouth UK
Neil has spent his career pushing the boundaries of combustion technology and energy efficiency, always with a clear focus on practical impact and long-term value for the industry. In 1993, he developed the first Simpson burner for LCV wood gas which could be applied to lehr/oven even today. Over the decades, he鈥檚 consistently brought forward ideas that challenge convention. His work has influenced burner design, furnace control, and operator training across the industry.Neil has 17 patent applications and has been a near constant presence at GPC, both as mentor and educator. Through his training, he鈥檚 helped raise the standard of combustion knowledge across the industry.
Women in Glass Award, sponsored by the Air Products Foundation
This award recognizes women who have demonstrated excellence in leading, motivating, and developing others in the glass industry. She exemplifies leadership in science, technology, engineering, production, and manufacturing. She mentors and supports the next generation of talent in the glass industry. This award recognizes women whose achievements and success stories have helped move the needle within the glass industry through sustainability, workforce development, innovation, and diversity.
Dr. Alix Clare is recognized for her exceptional leadership in glass science, and she holds Fellow status in both the Society of Glass Technology UK and the American Ceramic Society. Dr. Clare’s research portfolio is extensive, covering areas from photonics and biomaterials to fundamental science and industry focused, application specific projects.
In addition to her expertise as an educator and advisor, she demonstrates creativity as a scientist, encouraging her students to explore innovative approaches within the field. Her 1990’s video 鈥淲hat is Ceramic Engineering?鈥� introduced an entire new generation to the fields of ceramic engineering and glass science.
Over her long career, Alix has always made learning fun while still challenging her students with her energetic lectures. She is the epitome of a humble and inclusive leader, with one her former students noting, 鈥淒r. Clare made her grad students feel like family, and because she so freely shared things about herself, we all felt comfortable being ourselves, and this led to great sharing of ideas on science and research.鈥�
Celebrating 25 Years of 海角大神
2024 Members
- Corning Incorporated
- Glass Service, USA
- Owens Corning
2026 Members
- Vitro Architectural Glass
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