NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association honored a distinguished group of leaders for their contributions to the organization and industry. The following honorees were presented their awards at the NATE UNITE 2026 Awards Recognition Luncheon in Las Vegas, Nevada:
Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award
Cliff Barbieri spent five years in the AirForce working on aircraft navigation and radar systems. In 1978, Cliff started working for Motorola as a radio technician and later as a service manager. In 1994, Cliff left Motorola to start his own company, Advanced Communications and Electronics, focused on selling, installing, and repairing two-way radio systems throughout New Mexico. In 2001, Cliff started a small tower division from his two-way company and formed Advanced Tower Services, which performs all facets of tower, site services, and construction throughout much of the country.
During his career, Cliff was an active member of the Association, serving on the NATE-OSHA-FCC Partnership Executive Committee and as the NATE Wireless Industry Network New Mexico State Liaison. Cliff also served as the Chair of the non-profit Tower Family Foundation’s Advisory Committee.
After retiring in 2024, he now spends his time farming and raising cattle.
The Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award recognizes a principal contractor member who has been an integral part of the association and has served for at least 15 consecutive years. As an active member of NATE, the nominee will have made a significant and long-term contribution to the success of NATE’s mission.
The award was renamed from the NATE Lifetime Service Award in 2014 to the Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award.
Other recipients of the coveted award are:
2025 — John Paul (JP) Jones, Safety LMS
2024 — Gordon Lyman, eSystem Training Solutions
2023 — Patrick Moore, Broadcast Construction Solutions
2022 — Jim Tracy, Legacy Telecommunications, LLC
2020 — Jim Miller, EasTex Tower, LLC
2019 — Jim Coleman, AT&T
2018 — Pat Cipov, Cipov Enterprises, Inc.
2017 — Craig Snyder, Sioux Falls Tower & Communications
2016 — Kevin Hayden, Hayden Tower Service, Inc.
2015 — Don Doty, Velocitel, Inc.
2014 — Bill Carlson, Tower Systems, Inc.
Distinguished Service Award
This notable award recognizes past or present standing committee members who have demonstrated direct, individual contributions to NATE’s mission and whose performance has been so exceptional that it has profoundly affected the Association’s success.
Chairman’s Coin Awards
The Chairman’s Coin is a prestigious award, chosen by the NATE Chairman, recognizing individuals who have provided excellent dedication and service to the mission of NATE, and to encourage continued involvement.
Outstanding Heights Awards
This award is presented to individuals who have worked in the communications infrastructure industry for at least 20 years. Retired individuals are eligible. Nominees must exhibit long-term commitment and dedication to their work in the industry that has proven to be truly outstanding.
Legislative Champion of the Year Award
Regulatory Champion of the Year Award
Tower Family Foundation Guardian Award
Women of NATE Scholarship Recipients
Ernie Jones Memorial Engineering Scholarship
“On behalf of NATE’s member companies, we offer our congratulations to all of today’s award recipients, said NATE Chairman Victor Drouin from Pembroke, New Hampshire. “The annual NATE Awards Luncheon allows the Association to continue legacy building by honoring the dedicated men and women who have helped the Association grow and ultimately served to advance safety, quality, and professionalism in the industry,” added Drouin.
