Elayne Angel

Giving out the President’s Award was one of the duties I most looked forward to when I first came into office as President, and it is one of the things I will miss now that my three-year term of service is complete. It is an honor to be able to select worthy individuals from our community and recognize them for their dedication and contributions.

The person receiving this year’s award has spent over 20 years in the industry and could definitely be considered a pioneer. They started a piercing business back in 1992 and have been a Business Member of the Association of Professional Piercers since 1996.

This individual has been involved since the first APP Conference and was actually a co-organizer of that original event.

The recipient of the 2014 award has also served on the Board of Directors more than once, and has further distinguished himself doing projects for various committees.

Additionally, he has worked with a number of government agencies including NEHA, the CDC, and NIOSH, to promote safe piercing.

This gentleman  is also known as an educator and has taught at APP Conferences and other seminars abroad, including events in Italy, Sweden, and Germany.

He is also a husband and a father.

It is no secret that we have differing approaches to certain things, but there is clearly a mutual professional respect between us, which is something I’m so happy to see throughout the industry in general: the understanding that there is more than one way to achieve desired results.

This man is an incredibly hard-working volunteer who has devoted countless hours to numerous projects to further the goals and mission of the organization. He has accomplished a tremendous and impressive amount of work throughout his involvement with the organization and especially during the past three years.

I do have to clarify at this point that a Statim [the type of autoclave he represents and sells] is NOT required for APP membership. The recipient of this year’s President’s Award is Brian Skellie! Great job, Brian; congratulations!