NSCA announced that it presented Ingolf de Jong, who has worked in the industry for more than 40 years and is the former CEO and owner of General Communications (GENCOMM) and Communa Technologies, with the 2024 Per Haugen Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th annual Business & Leadership Conference (BLC) last month in Texas.
de Jong has served on various boards throughout his career, including time as PSNI vice president, ISE board member, and NSCA president. Today, he serves on the NSCA Education Foundation Board. Outside the industry, he serves on the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors and was the co-chair of the Small Business Committee. He also holds two U.S. patents: the first for an acoustic panel and the second for a Bluetooth technology conferencing interface device.
“For many years, I observed industry leaders be honored with this award,” says de Jong. “These were successful individuals who gave back to and strengthened our industry by developing a pathway for future generations to follow. They were people I looked up to and sought to learn from. To be honored with this award myself is beyond my comprehension. I have always looked at my efforts as simply trying to help move our industry forward. I truly love our industry and the positive impact we have on every facility we work in. We are surrounded by extraordinary people.”
Haugen, who the award is named after, was instrumental in the launch of the NSCA Education Foundation and helped expand the influence of NSCA’s mission. In his honor, the award is given to an individual who exhibits dedication to philanthropy and social responsibility; is an active leader in the financial well-being of the industry, NSCA, and his or her company; demonstrates high ethics, values, integrity, and honesty in all business practices; and holds strong values in every aspect of life.
“Ingolf is passionate about the benefits of technology and how it improves and enhances life everywhere,” says NSCA executive director Tom LeBlanc. “What’s more, he has served NSCA and the industry for decades. As a member for more than 35 years, he has helped shape our association. He’s more than deserving of this award.”
