AFS Announces Grede and Keating Founders Freedom Award Winners

SCHAUMBURG, IL - The American Foundry Society (AFS) has announced the recipients for two of its most prestigious honors, recognizing outstanding leadership and service to the metalcasting industry.

2025 Keating Founders’ Freedom Award Recipients

AFS announced that the Keating Founders’ Freedom Award will be presented to Brent Charlton (Metal Technologies) and Alan Brink (Spring City Electrical). This award recognizes leaders "for significant contributions to the foundry industry and active participation in the fields of government affairs, human resource management, safety, health, or education."

Brent Charlton is Vice President of EHS at Metal Technologies of Indiana, LLC, with 29 years as a full-time safety professional. He began his career after earning a BS in Agriculture from Purdue University, working in safety roles at several companies before joining MTI in 2014. A certified safety professional since 2001, Charlton chairs the AFS EHS Division and previously chaired the Safety Committee.

Alan Brink is President and CEO of Spring City Electrical Manufacturing Company, where he has led since 1996 after serving as Vice President and CFO. Under his leadership, the company has become a leading supplier of ornate cast iron and aluminum lampposts and fixtures in major U.S. cities, introduced patented LED fixtures, and successfully navigated globalization challenges. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles with Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), managing consulting projects for Fortune 500 companies, manufacturers, and government agencies. 

Brink has served in many volunteer roles during his career. This includes roles as President of the Foundrymens' Group Trust, President of the Pennsylvania Foundry Association, and Director of the Municipal Castings Association. In addition, Brink has been attending Government Affairs Fly-Ins for two decades, is Vice Chair of the AFS Government Affairs Division, and is a member of the AFS Board of Directors.

2025 William J. Grede Award Recipients

The William J. Grede Award will be awarded to Gregory Miskinis (retired - Waupaca) and Tracy Malpass (EJ). This award recognizes leaders for major contributions in management, marketing or education which have resulted in expanding the effective use of metal castings.

Prior to his recent retirement, Miskinis served as the Director of Research and Process Development for Waupaca Foundry. His excellent work at Waupaca Foundry lasted over 30 years. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Plant Metallurgist at Brillion Iron Works. Miskinis received his BS and MS degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Throughout his career, Miskinis was involved in AFS technical and management programs.

Tracy Malpass is the President and CEO of EJ. Prior to this role, he served in many different areas at EJ including Executive VP, VP of Engineering Services and Facility Project Engineer. Malpass received his Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Lake Superior State University. Malpass has been a respected industry leader for more than 30 years.

Award Presentations

Charlton, Brink, and Miskinis will receive their awards at the upcoming 2025 Foundry Leadership Summit at the Nemacolin Resort on Sept. 23 and AFS members are encouraged to register for the event to help recognize these accomplished leaders.

Malpass will receive his award during Metalcasting Congress 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI.