July 21, 1923 – April 14, 2016
William BenedonWilliam Benedon is considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of the records management profession. He had eastern roots, graduating from Montclair (NJ) State Teachers College, but his professional career flowered in Southern California.
Peter Kurilecz, IGP, CRM, CA and President of ARMA International, provided the following reflection in a message to the members of ARMA International and to the broader records and information management community.
“Bill was a trailblazer for our association and profession, serving for two decades as founder and editor of our first periodical, Records Review, and its successor, Records Management Quarterly; writing the first definitive textbook for the profession – aptly entitled Records Management; serving as the association’s president in its earliest years and later as the president of the Institute of Certified Records Managers; and being named the first person inducted into ARMA International’s Company of Fellows.
Through more than 50 years of writing, speaking, training, and mentoring, Bill had a significant impact on the career growth of countless records management professionals and on the development of the records management principles and practices we all use daily. I, personally, saw him as a visionary and a respected voice in records management.”
In 1968, William Benedon became the second recipient of the Emmett Leahy Award. His selection was based on his records management achievements as an analyst and consultant with the National Records Management Council; as Supervisor of Public Records for the State of New Jersey where he authored one of the first legislative acts for records management and implemented one of the first state total records management program; and at Lockheed Corporation where he implemented and managed a multi-division records management program. Benedon originated the ARMA Records Management Workshop, the Records Management Correspondence Course, and the Records Management Quarterly and served as president of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA).
In 1990, ARMA International established the Company of Fellows to recognize members of ARMA International who had distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements and contributions in records and information management as well as noteworthy accomplishments in all levels of the association. Bill Benedon was the first inductee into the Company of Fellows.
Friends and associates of William Benedon are encouraged to contact the Foundation Administrator to add information to this record .
Bill Benedon was a strong supporter of the ARMA International Educational Foundation and regularly contributed by means of the William Benedon Award. Contributions to the memorial fund created in Bill’s honor are welcome.
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