Established by GMA in 2016, the award and lecture series is given to an individual who has had a measurable impact on the geosynthetics industry in North America. Recipients are also required to have a background in one or more of the following areas: education, design, or testing of geotextiles; geomembranes; geogrids; geonets; geosynthetic clay liners; and/or erosion control materials. GMA presented George Koerner with the first award for his monumental impact on the geosynthetics industry.