WASHINGTON - On Oct. 24, during the Opening Session of its 118th Annual Meeting in Cleveland, the National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA) presented Thomas C. Osborne, chief executive officer of Tnemec Corp., with the George Baugh Heckel Award, the association's highest honor.

Osborne took on the role of NPCA chairman of the board in 2003, after more than 20 years of involvement with the association. It was during this time that he chaired NPCA's Governance and Committee Structure Subcommittee. Under his management, the subcommittee examined the association's governing structure to ensure that NPCA was operating at maximum efficiency and effectiveness, as well as fulfilling member needs. His detailed review of more than 20 of the association's committees was evidence of his commitment to bolstering NPCA's success and ensuring its continued productivity. His focus and effort earned him NPCA's Industry Achievement Award in 2004.