2025 Robert T. Hughes Memorial Awardee

The Robert T. Hughes Memorial Award was founded in 2015 to honor Mr. Hughes, who passed away in late 2014. Robert T. “Bob” Hughes joined the ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Committee in 1976. He served as its Chairperson for 11 years before stepping down in 2001, though he remained dedicated and active on the Committee until his death. This award was established by the ACGIH Board of Directors to recognize outstanding individuals in the field of industrial ventilation.

The 2025 Robert T. Hughes Memorial Award recipient is Robert Scholz,  PE, CIH.

Mr. Scholz (Bob) is an industrial hygiene engineer, whose career in occupational  health and safety began in 1971.  He currently works for the firm TRC.

As an industrial hygiene engineer, Bob works as a consultant to industry to protect workers from exposure to hazardous air contaminants and heat stress.  His activity has centered on the metals industry, including controlling air contaminant exposures and emissions to the environment in foundries, smelters, machine shops and battery plants.  He works to identify root causes of air contaminant exposure hazards and evaluate the  use of engineering exposure control methods and work practices to control these causes. Throughout his career, he has participated in professional organizations  associated with his field, including the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Foundry Society (AFS).  From the beginning, the ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Manual has been a valuable resource for Bob in developing and implementing programs that industrial clients can apply to effectively and cost-efficiently address worker exposure issues.