This award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions toward the work of the SAE Engineering Meetings Board (EMB) in the planning, development, and dissemination of technical information through technical meetings, conferences, and professional development programs or outstanding contributions to the EMB operations in facilitating or enhancing the interchanges of technical information.

Established in 1979, this award is administered by the EMB and honors the late Forest R. McFarland who was himself an outstanding session organizer, a chairman of the Passenger Car Activity and a member of the EMB. Funding for this award is through a bequest by Mr. McFarland to SAE and consists of a framed certificate presented at the SAE World Congress or an appropriate SAE event.

Willem was the Technical Program Chair for the Wichita Aviation Technology Congress & Exhibition August 19-21, 2008.