AAF History

The AAF as we know it today was started in Pinellas County. The Association was formed out of necessity after the St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Building Departments decided to stop issuing building permits. That action stopped the industry cold.

Ten men representing their respective companies met in May, 1974 and decided to contribute $50 each towards hiring Edward O’Dell to do the necessary aluminum engineering. After it was complete and the men were back in business, they decided to form the AAF with Gerald Rehm as their first President. Those ten men were:

• Jim Allen, Busch Mastercraft
• Jim “Whitney” Carson, C&B Awning
• John Coleman, West Coast Awning Company
• Ben Dowell, Dowell’s Aluminum, Inc.
• Dennis Henegar, Douglas Manufacturing
• Gerald Rehm, Screens Unlimited
• Grady Robinson, Jr., Crown Awning and Screening
• John Scherff, Suncraft Products
• Sid Silverstein, Gulf Aluminum Products, Inc.
• Paul Vevier, Seminole Awning & Screening, Inc.

AAF Past Presidents

• 1974-75 Gerald Rehm
• 1976 John Coleman
• 1977-78 William Silverstein
• 1979-82 Dennis Henegar
• 1983 Stanley McLain
• 1984-85 Dennis Henegar
• 1986 Bill Shorrock
• 1987-88 Clarence Loftin
• 1989-90 Edward Bell
• 1991-92 David Miller
• 1993-94 Chuck Dekker
• 1995-96 John DeCosmo
• 1997-99 Scott Myers
• 2000 Frank Storms
• 2001-2003 John DeCosmo
• 2004-2005 Scott Myers
• 2006-2007 Mike Moberley

AAF Aluminary Award

In 1985, the Aluminum Association of Florida established the "Aluminary Award." It is presented to a person who has demonstrated an outstanding and continuous effort to promote the industry and the AAF, and someone who has sacrificed personal and business time for the Association. Length of service, service in more than one area, all‑around knowledge, and availability to those seeking assistance, are all considered.

• 1985 Dennis & Jacqueline Henegar
• 1986 Thomas Tafelski
• 1987 Edward Bell
• 1988 Allen Applebee
• 1989 Jacqueline Henegar
• 1990 Bill Shorrock
• 1991 Fred Oppenheimer
• 1992 Chuck Dekker
• 1993 Clarence Loflin
• 1994 David Miller
• 1995 Jack Johnson
• 1996 Herb Reberger
• 1997 Allen Lindsey
• 1998 John DeCosino
• 1999 Scott Myers
• 2001 Joe Alvarez
• 2002 Tim O’Connor
• 2003 Jim Blackshear
• 2004 Steve Buzzella

AAF Coleman Award

The Coleman Award was developed to recognize a current Committee Chairman who demonstrates the exemplary contribution of time and effort toward the accomplishment of AAF goals; someone who is a key leader and team player. The Coleman Award was established in memory of the volunteer spirit of the late John Coleman (West Coast Chapter).

• 1989  Chuck Dekker
• 1990  Tim Wright
• 1991  Allen Lindsey
• 1992  Scott Myers
  
• 1993  John DeCosmo
  
• 1994  David Miller
  
• 1995  Joe Alvarez
  
• 1996  Sherry Alvarez
  
• 1997  Jack Johnson
  
• 1998  Steve Buzzella
  
• 1999  Frank Storms
  
• 2000 Mark Coleman
  
• 2001 Don Leggett
  
• 2002 Glen Kohlenberg
  
• 2003 John Robinson
• 2004 Mike Moberley
• 2005 Ron Carpenter
• 2006 Kevin Sciglia