Above: Past President John O’Byrne (left) receiving the Dreher Award from President William Johnson (centre) and Past President Denny Roske (right)

The 2019 Dreher Award was presented to John O’Byrne at the 2019 Annual Seminar banquet in Glasgow, Scotland. 

John joined IAATI in 1997, and rapidly became motivated and active in his Australasian Branch. In 1998 John became the Branch’s Treasurer. In 2000 John started a 3 year role as their President. Not one to stand down, John was instrumental in the in the development of the Branch’s annual training seminars from 2000 to 2005. 

John was appointed to the IAATI Board in 2003. As the years went by, John climbed the ladder to become IAATI’s President in 2012. He has remained on the IAATI board since then. John has also been heavily involved with the organizing the newly created Asian Branch of IAATI, and remains active on their board of directors. With this year’s seminar in Glasgow, John continued his diligence with chairing the on-site-committee.  As those who attended the seminar know, it was a great success.   

To sum it up in a few words “John is dedicated to IAATI, and has dedicated his time for the last 21 years to IAATI".  John is truly worthy of IAATI’s most prestigious award. Congratulations from the Dreher Award Committee and all of the members of IAATI.