The American Cuemakers Association
The American Cuemakers Association (ACA) is proud to present three special awards at this year’s annual banquet at the Allen Hopkins’ Super Billiards Expo. The Expo will be held April 4-7, 2013, at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ. The ACA was formed in 1992 to both educate the public on and promote the American made cue, as well as establish a standard of excellence in the art of cue making.
The first award is for the “Cuemaker of the Year.” This award was begun in 2008 to recognize an ACA member who has provided a top quality product in an ethical, honorable, and professional manner through the years. The 2013 ACA “Cuemaker of the Year” award goes to Jim Stadum and Dave Doucette of Samsara Cues. Offering a wide variety of styles and price ranges, Samsara Cues specializes in high quality cues that are unique in design and performance. A large share of their clientele is the individual cue collector.
When Jim Stadum and Dave Doucette formed Samsara Cues in 1991, they strove to combine modern technology with and ancient technique known as Intarsia to create unique and mesmerizing designs in their cues. Dave’s experience as a master cabinet maker, machinist, and design engineer allows Samsara to custom build most of their machinery. Jim’s business sense and drive for perfection combined with Dave’s experience have allowed Samsara Cues to win many awards throughout the years. They are one of only a handful of cue makers to have a cue permanently on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
The second award to be presented at the banquet on Saturday, April 4, is the “Peoples Choice Award.” This award acknowledges the public’s choice of their favorite cue on display at the ACA booth at this year’s Expo. Every ACA member can display one cue which they have built for this show. Attendees at the show can then cast their votes for their favorite cue. The cue maker whose cue receives the most votes will be recognized with the “Peoples Choice Award.” Last year’s winner of this award was Pete Tonkin of Tonkin Custom Cues.
The third and last award to be presented is the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award.” This marks only the second time in the history of the ACA that this award has been presented. The first went to Gordon Hart of Viking Cues in 1994. The recipient of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” is Jerry Pechauer of J. Pechauer Custom Cues. 2013 marks the 50 year anniversary of J. Pechauer Custom Cues. In 1963, Jerry Pechauer built his first cue while doing cue repair as a sideline while holding a full-time job. Also in 1963, Jerry’s son, Joe, was born.
Jerry continued with his cue repair and cue making as a sideline job for 14 years. At the age of 14, Joe made his first cue. Jerry was so impressed with Joe’s work that he decided to take their cue making to another level. In the late 1970’s Jerry forged a friendship with Fred Mali of Mali Cues. Mr. Mali was a valuable mentor to Jerry as he pushed forward with J. Pechauer Cues. In 1980 Jerry opened a billiards supply store and 2 years later he moved into a building with a poolroom and a 6000 square foot shop. Joe, who had graduated from high school by this time, entered the family business full-time.
In 1989, Jerry and Joe displayed at their first Billiard Congress of America Trade Show. Here they established contacts with the European billiard market which led to their cues being sold throughout Europe as well as in America. In 1993, they completed a new, atmosphere-controlled, state of the art facility which allows J. Pechauer Custom Cues to be made 100% in-house.
In 2007, Joe took over as president of the company while Jerry continues offering support and expertise. From dealer base of 58 dealers in 1993 to over 400 around the world in 2013, today J. Pechauer Custom Cues is one the top brands ing the billiard industry.
Pictures of the award winners and the Peoples Choice cue will be posted after the presentations on the ACA website: www.cuemakers.org.=
