The International Fastener Expo added two fastener industry veterans to the Hall of Fame, and recognized a rising industry star as the Young Fastener Professional of the Year.
IFE and the HOF Award Committee honored Maryann Marzocchi of LINK Magazine posthumously due to her “extensive career achievements, countless contributions, and overall love for the fastener industry.”
She began her fastener career in 1958 at Southern Screw Company, where she joined the sales department.
In 1976, Marzocchi’s brother-in-law, Leo Coar, invited her to help launch Distributor’s Link Magazine, a dedicated fastener publication which debuted in 1977.
As co-owner and VP of Sales & Marketing, Marzocchi shaped LINK. She worked alongside Coar for 36 years and later, with her daughter, Tracey Lumia, for 15 of those years.
“Receiving this award on behalf of my mother is deeply meaningful — both personally and professionally,” said Lumia stated. “It’s a powerful reminder of the legacy she helped build and the lives she touched throughout her career in the fastener industry.”
Laurence Claus of NNi Training was also named to the Hall of Fame for his expertise in fastener applications, exceptional leadership, and decades-long commitment to training the fastener workforce.
He began his fastener industry career in 1988 as an engineering intern with a Chicago fastener manufacturer. That internship lead to a 24-year career with the same company where he would rise to VP of Engineering.
Along the way he would become an expert in many fastener-related applications and topics, most notably, automotive fasteners, specialty engineered brake components, and direct fastening into plastics.
In 2012, Claus formed NNi Training and Consulting Inc., where he contributes training and consulting services primarily to the fastener industry. He continues to play a key role in industry organizations, serving as the Director of Training and Education for the Industrial Fasteners Institute and a lead instructor for the Fastener Training Institute.
He is also very active in North American Fastener Standardization, holding the chairmanship of the SAE Fastener Committee and Subcommittee Chairmanship roles with ASTM F16 and ASME B18.
“Through his extensive training of countless individuals and companies, he has significantly enhanced the technical competency of key contributors in our industry, leaving a lasting impact,” stated HOF committee member Bill Derry.
IFE named Tim Vath of Lindstrom the 2025 Young Fastener Professional of the Year Award for his “unwavering commitment to the fastener industry, inspiring career path, and visionary leadership among his peers.”
Vath’s involvement in the industry started at a young age with Solution Industries, where his mom, Laura, convinced ownership to give him his first job of kitting fasteners at home during the company’s early years. Later, he worked in the warehouse during the summers throughout high school.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Kent State University, he became a Certified Public Accountant. Vath returned to work at Solution Industries, where he become General Manager at age 28, which is when Lindfast Solutions Group acquired the company.
Over the next four years, Vath took on leadership over two more acquisitions, Hi-Q Fasteners and Merco Tape, as VP & GM. In 2025, he was promoted to his current role as Division President of Lindstrom.
He has been a member and involved with the various regional and national industry associations, participating in events and as a speaker on various panels.
“Tim’s journey from working in a warehouse at a small family-owned business to leading one of the largest master distributors in the United States is a testament to his determination and leadership.”
The awards will be presented at the IFE 2025 Awards Ceremony on September 16th from 3:15pm-4:00pm at the Expo Hall Session Stage at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
