The American Supply Association’s Industrial Piping Division is pleased to announce East Windsor, Connecticut-based The Collins Companies Chief Executive Officer Brian Tuohey is the recipient of the 2023 IPD Award of Excellence.
The IPD Award of Excellence is given to individuals with a record of significant accomplishments and a long-standing history of service to the industrial and mechanical PVF segment of the PHCP-PVF industry, as well as a history of dedicated service to ASA and its Industrial Piping Division. The award is voted on by the ASA IPD Award of Excellence nominating committee.
In addition to being a long-time member and past chairman of ASA’s IPD Advisory Group, Tuohey also served as ASA president in 2018 (the 50th individual to hold the presidency) and is the first ASA past president to receive the IPD’s top honor.
"I entered this industry with no prior knowledge of it or legacy or anything like that," Tuohey said. "Throughout my entire career, people have helped me along the way. What I didn’t know they taught me. That’s the highlight for me with ASA and IPD. I have learned so much from the people who freely mentored me."
Tuohey, a 40-year veteran of The Collins Companies, purchased the company in 1998, and under his direction has grown it into one of the largest industrial distributors of engineered specialties, pipe, valves and fittings serving the Northeast with nine locations throughout New England and Upstate New York. The company boasts a more than 100-year lineage.
"Brian Tuohey is the epitome of an ASA volunteer leader," ASA CEO Mike Adelizzi said. "Brian has gladly given his time to the betterment of our industry through his work as ASA president and through his long-time involvement with the Industrial Piping Division. This honor is long overdue and well-deserved."
"Brian is not only an industry expert and pioneer, he is also a friend and advisor to so many, including me," said Jeff Camuso, president of Avon, Massachusetts-based Charles D. Sheehy and the current chairman of the ASA IPD Advisory Council. "Brian has accomplished so much in this world, and he is still making an impact."
Tuohey will be honored during the NIBCO IPD Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 9 during NETWORK2023 in Orlando, Florida at Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek.
Previous winners of the IPD Award of Excellence include Johnny Seder (Milwaukee Valve, 2020), Gerald Slattery (Merfish Pipe and Supply, 2019), Gary Stratiner (Puget Sound Pipe and Supply, 2018), Larry Dildine (The Phoenix Forge Group, 2017), Ernie Coutermarsh (F.W. Webb, 2016), Robert Vick (Industrial Valco, 2014), Patrick Adams (MKS Pipe and Valve, 2013), John E. Martin (Anvil International, 2012), Morris Beschloss (2011), Dr. Don McNeeley (Chicago Tube and Iron, 2010), Gary Cartright (Piping & Equipment, 2009) and Tim Arenberg (Columbia Pipe and Supply, 2008).
