Mid-West Fastener Association Hall of Fame: Class of 2026
The Mid-West Fastener Association is proud to celebrate the 2026 Hall of Fame class. Ten individuals and companies whose careers and contributions have shaped this industry and this association for the better.
The MWFA Hall of Fame recognizes those who have gone beyond the ordinary, giving their time, expertise and passion in service of something larger than their own success. This year's class is no exception. From decades of board service and educational leadership to business innovation and steadfast advocacy, each inductee has left a mark on the fastener community that will be felt for years to come.
David Gawlik
Branch Manager, Stelfast Inc.
David Gawlik's career in the fastener industry spans 37 years, beginning in 1989 in inside sales at Willie Washer. He went on to hold positions at Brico Industries and Porteous Fastener Company before joining Stelfast Inc., where he opened the company's Chicago branch from the ground up, sourcing the facility, hiring staff, establishing inventory, and developing a ten-state territory. He later built his Midwest book of business at Autocraft from zero to over $5 million annually, with no existing accounts provided to him. He returned to Stelfast as Branch Manager in 2021, the role he holds today.
Education
The MWFA approached David while he was at Porteous and asked him to teach a segment of the association's introductory fastener course. He accepted, and before long had taken full ownership of the class. He developed the curriculum, assembled the sample bag that accompanied each session, and coined the course's new name, "Fascination with Fasteners," which is still in use today. What began as a class of 15 grew under his leadership to 40 or more attendees.
David was largely responsible for creating two additional courses that are now cornerstones of the curriculum: Print Reading and Essentials of Heat Treating and Plating. He also recruited many of the speakers, instructors, and companies that provide facility tours, and co-authored the MWFA's Fastener Technical Guide. He took the program on the road to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Indiana, setting attendance records along the way.
Years after leading the introductory course, David has called on customers who were former students and found that they still have their certificates and sample bags. That kind of lasting impression speaks to the value and care he brought to every class.
Board Service
David served on the MWFA Board of Directors for approximately 20 years, holding the offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary. As President, he expanded the association's outreach into Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and other surrounding areas, hosting dinner and education meetings in new cities and growing membership in the process.
Though he is no longer on the Board, David remains a committed advocate for the MWFA. He accepted his 2026 Hall of Fame induction with characteristic humility: "I want to sincerely thank the MWFA Board for naming me to the Hall of Fame. I am truly honored."
Robert R. Baer
CEO/President, Abbott Interfast
Robert Baer joined Abbott Interfast as CEO and President in 1992, a position he has held ever since. At Abbott, he has built and strengthened global supply chains, managed high-volume fastener programs, and developed long-term strategic supplier partnerships across North America and Asia. His expertise navigating tariffs, trade regulations, and complex international sourcing environments has made him an invaluable resource throughout the industry.
MWFA Service
Robert's service to the Mid-West Fastener Association spans more than 20 years of volunteer leadership. He served two years as President and for more than 15 years as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. His disciplined approach to financial oversight helped build the reserves and planning frameworks that continue to support MWFA operations today. He has also actively contributed to numerous MWFA committees over the years.
Industry Leadership
Robert has served as a Board Member of the Fastener Industry Coalition (FIC) since 2014, contributing to trade policy advocacy affecting the entire fastener supply chain. He is also a Board Member of the Fastener Training Institute (FTI), supporting the education of the next generation of fastener professionals, and has served on the Fastener Fair advisory board. In recognition of his contributions, Robert was previously inducted into the International Fastener Hall of Fame at the International Fastener Expo.
Becky Russo-Botti
Sems and Specials | MWFA Past President
Becky Russo-Botti's career in the fastener industry began in 1983 at Globe Fasteners. She went on to hold positions at MNP International, Rumco, and American Fasteners and Components before joining Sems and Specials in 2015, where she remains today.
Becky served on the MWFA Board of Directors for eight years. Her passion for education was a constant throughout her tenure. She served on the Education Committee and taught at numerous MWFA educational seminars, sharing her knowledge and elevating the skills of industry professionals. She advanced from the Education Committee to Vice President and ultimately became the MWFA's second female President, a meaningful milestone for the association.
Even after completing her board service, Becky has continued to volunteer at industry events, particularly the annual golf outing. She remains an enthusiastic ambassador for the MWFA, encouraging colleagues and industry partners to get involved.
Joe L. Davis Jr.
Founder and CEO, ISSCO, INC.
Joe L. Davis Jr. began his fastener industry career in 1963 as an employee of Kansas City Bolt. He went on to outside sales at Bosco Bolt, Nut and Screw from 1970 to 1974. When his salary was cut in half and his commissions eliminated, Joe and his wife Margaret founded ISSCO, INC. on April 1, 1974, from the basement of their Independence, Missouri home.
What followed was fifty years of building a company defined by high service, product availability, and deep relationships with customers and suppliers alike. Joe credits those three things as the foundation of ISSCO's enduring success. In January 2013, Joe and his two sons purchased BTM Manufacturing, and both BTM and ISSCO remain active MWFA members today.
From the beginning, Joe put his employees first. He ensured that ISSCO provided benefits not seen at many companies, and he served as a mentor to many employees over the years. He was also an early champion of the CBSNA/MWFA, recognizing the association's value when ISSCO was still a small, growing company.
His son Jake, who nominated him for this honor, described his father as the hardest-working man he has ever known, a quiet and humble person whose long hours in ISSCO's early years laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
Paula Evitts
President, Avante Imports | MWFA Past President
As a Past President of the Mid-West Fastener Association, Paula Evitts brought to the role an approach defined by collaboration and a genuine focus on the long-term success of both the organization and its members. Her presidency strengthened member engagement and helped shape the direction of the MWFA during her tenure. Beyond her time as President, Paula has served for many years as an active member of the Board of Directors, contributing to key initiatives, events, and programs that have helped the association grow.
Among Paula's most enduring contributions is her role in reviving the MWFA Hall of Fame through her work on the Historical Committee. Her efforts helped ensure that the legacies of industry leaders are recognized and preserved for future generations.
On the professional side, Paula has grown Avante Imports into a meaningful contributor to the fastener supply chain, building the company largely on her own.
Paula's nominator, MWFA President Jill Lewis, put it plainly: "I personally have looked up to Paula and her work in the industry, as well as how she showed me there was a place for women in this industry."
Nick Viggiano
Vice President, Supply Chain Management, Brighton-Best International, INC.
Nick Viggiano's fastener career spans fifty years. After two decades at Reynolds as Regional Manager, he moved to Heads and Threads, then to Porteous Fastener Company as Vice President, before joining Brighton-Best International as Vice President of Supply Chain Management, the position he holds today.
In 1989, Nick was a key contact and participant for the MWFA as it pertained to the Fastener Quality Act. He was sent four times as part of the FQA advisory committee, working alongside industry leaders including Bill Hayes, George Wasmer, Charlie Wilson, Jay Hebert, Keith Bussie, and Nancy Rich, helping to draft the legislation that would shape fastener standards for decades to come.
Nick served on the MWFA Board of Directors from 1989 to 1995, including six years as Treasurer and dedicated service on the Scholarship Committee. He took the scholarship review process seriously, believing deeply in the program's value to students and the industry's future.
He was also a regular volunteer at MWFA events, including the golf outings where he manned the dunk tank to raise money for the scholarship fund. For fifty years, Nick Viggiano has been exactly the kind of member that makes an association worth belonging to.
Rich Cavoto
Metric Multi Component Corp. | MWFA Past President
Rich Cavoto started part-time with Metric Multi Component Corp. in 1978, joined full-time after graduating from Illinois State University in May 1980, and has been with the company ever since. That kind of loyalty to one organization over more than four decades is rare, and it reflects something central to who Rich is: once he is committed to something, he shows up fully and for the long haul.
The same has been true of his relationship with the Mid-West Fastener Association. Rich has been a longtime board member and leader, and over the years has played a pivotal role in growing the MWFA's reputation and helping it gain recognition on a national scale. When the MWFA is mentioned anywhere in the industry, his name tends to come up.
Education and Mentorship
Long before he officially joined the Board, Rich volunteered to teach the Metric portion of the MWFA's "Fascination with Fasteners" class, returning to do it multiple times. He consistently donated supplies to support hands-on learning and collaborated with the Fastener Training Institute and Jo Morros to bring the Certified Fastener Specialist class to the MWFA. He also served as a mentor to numerous new board members, helping them find their footing with patience and encouragement.
Leadership and Lasting Contributions
Rich served as a two-term MWFA President from 2014 to 2015. He chaired the Golf Committee for more terms than any other board member, bringing energy and fun to one of the association's most beloved events, including securing access to his own private country club for one of the most memorable outings in MWFA history. He helped land an impressive roster of high-profile celebrity speakers for the annual November Scholarship Dinner Meeting and collaborated with NFDA and Pac-West to organize the first-ever joint conference among the three associations. He also made frequent appearances on Fully Threaded Radio, consistently and enthusiastically promoting the MWFA and its events to a national audience.
Rich Cavoto's contributions to this association span education, leadership, member engagement, and plain old showing up when it mattered. He is, as his nominator put it, someone who embodies everything the Hall of Fame stands for.
SWD, Inc.
Company Inductee | Addison, IL
SWD, Inc. is a third-generation family-owned company that started in 1980 with just three employees. Today it is a recognized leader in the metal finishing and fastener sorting fields, with over 300 employees running three shifts per day out of a 165,000 sq. ft. facility just west of Chicago in Addison, Illinois.
SWD has built its reputation on exceptional production quality, complete customer satisfaction, and a continuing commitment to environmental conservation. That combination of operational excellence and community responsibility has made SWD a trusted partner across the fastener industry for more than four decades.
SWD has been an active and generous member of the MWFA, sponsoring many association events, participating in shows, and opening their facility and sharing their expertise in support of the MWFA's educational mission. Their involvement reflects exactly the kind of industry citizenship the Hall of Fame is meant to recognize.
SEMS and Specials
Company Inductee
Since its founding, SEMS and Specials has distinguished itself as a leader in the manufacturing and distribution of specialized fasteners. The company has supported a wide range of industries, from automotive and electronics to heavy equipment and construction, by consistently delivering precision-engineered products and customized solutions.
The company has continually invested in advanced manufacturing techniques and process improvements, enabling it to stay ahead of market trends and meet increasingly complex customer requirements. Its reputation is built on responsiveness, technical expertise, and a genuine dedication to helping customers succeed.
Beyond its business achievements, SEMS and Specials has played an active role in supporting the broader industry through participation in professional associations, collaboration with peers, and the sharing of knowledge. The MWFA is proud to welcome SEMS and Specials into the Hall of Fame Class of 2026.