Bill Dahlgren recognized with the
Distinguished Achievement Award
Distinguished Achievement Award
Carmel, IN – On July 29, 2018, during the 162nd Anniversary Convention in Las Vegas, Theta Chi Fraternity presented the Distinguished Achievement Award to Bill Dahlgren (Beta Lambda/Akron 1955). The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments outside of the Fraternity. Recipients include significant figures in business, government, academia, athletics, entertainment, and the military.
William R. Dahlgren was initiated into Theta Chi Fraternity at the Beta Lambda Chapter on December 7, 1952. As a student, Brother Dahlgren was very involved in the chapter, the University of Akron wrestling team, and held a full-time job while completing his bachelor’s degree in 1955.
In 1973, Bill formed Airtech International Incorporated in San Bernardino, CA, with the goal to distribute vacuum bagging and composite tooling materials to make fiberglass and graphite parts for the aerospace industry. With only four employees and a rented 5,000 square foot building, Brother Dahlgren had an idea to create a company offering a “one stop shop” for everything needed to produce aircraft bonded and composite parts. By 1977, Airtech grew to a 10-person company with sales throughout North America, Western Europe, and Japan. Not only had Airtech expanded to different industries, Airtech’s vision of a “one stop shop” extended as materials were offered for a variety of processes.
Airtech Europe opened its facility in Differdange, Luxembourg, in 1991, starting with 6 people and a 35,000 square foot building. As business grew, Airtech opened facilities not only in Luxembourg but also in England; China; Chino, CA; Springfield, TN; and its corporate headquarters in Huntington Beach, CA. In 2012, Airtech Advanced Materials Group was given the Luxembourg American Business Award recognizing the company’s contribution to the economic growth of Luxembourg and Europe.
Today, Airtech has over 500 employees worldwide and is the largest privately-owned manufacturer of vacuum bagging and composite tooling materials in the world. Airtech’s achievement is mainly due to Brother Dahlgren’s knowledge, direction, and enthusiasm inspiring all at Airtech and the composite industry worldwide.
Airtech manufactures and provides hundreds of critical components and parts that are essential for flights all over the world. It is highly likely that an airplane contains parts sold by Airtech. It is Brother Dahlgren’s initiative, entrepreneur spirit, and Helping Hand that have made a true impact on global industry and commerce.
Six decades since his graduation from the University of Akron, Brother Dahlgren remains involved with the affairs of the Beta Lambda Chapter, regularly attending the chapter’s annual alumni dinner. In addition, Brother Dahlgren has been a generous financial contributor to Beta Lambda Chapter and The Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.
Bill, and his wife Audrey, are a testament to lifelong involvement within civic organizations. They both have shown a passion for servant leadership and developing future generations of leaders.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 191,000 initiated members and has established 239 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.