The 2021 CE Pro Masters nominations are officially open and we are looking to recognize the unsung heroes of the industry. For the ninth year, CE Pro is looking for career CE folks, pretty much right around 50-years-old or so, who quietly moved up the ladder of success over the past three or four decades, made an honest living and made it well.

We are not looking for people who already get more than their share of ink. Some of these people have intentionally stayed out of the spotlight while others have concentrated on their jobs rather than endless self-promotion. You know who we mean.

Remember we now consider posthumous nominations and now-retired people.

We are asking you to scour the landscape broadly. On the vendor level, think about career customer service, tech support or credit managers who fit the profile. Also, in addition to rep principals and CI business owners, consider long time salespeople and other employees.

This year’s program will be especially poignant since long-time contributor Chuck Schneider has passed away. Chuck was instrumental in reaching out to industry veterans to get nominations. But inaugural CE Pro Master Deborah Smith of the Deborah Smith Group will be assisting CE Pro this year. Her decades of experience and the fact that she knows nearly everybody should make this one of the best slates of nominees ever.

But we don’t know everybody… If you know any notable individuals and think them worthy, then, by all means, please let us know.

But, like every year, we want your best candidates. Below is a ballot to fill out and get back to us by October 19, 2021.

Nominate a friend, a co-worker, a boss, an employee, manufacturer, distributor, rep, retailer, integrator, owner, management, sales, marketing, engineer, designer, installer, customer service or finance. Foreign or domestic. Nominate yourself if you want to!

Here’s the ballot:

CE Pro Masters Nomination Form:

• Person You Are Nominating
• His/Her Current Position
• His/Her Other Positions of Note
• His/Her Years in CE
• Why the Person Is Worthy of Recognition (50 words or less)
• Your Name
• City/State
• Occupation

You may nominate as many people as you’d like. One per ballot/email please. Send your completed ballots to Jason Knott at jason.knott@emeraldexpo.com or to Deborah Smith at dsmith@deborahsmithgroup.com.

Deadline for nominations is October 19, 2021.

Winners will be featured in the December 2021 print issue of CE Pro and on CEPro.com page in early December. 

Here is a list of the past winners: