The current president of SET, Fernando Bittencourt, has been elevated to the rank of Fellow within the SMPTE. A Fellow of the Society is elected by the Board based on their proficiency and contributions, which have attained them an outstanding rank among engineers or executives in the motion-picture, television or related industries.

The acknowledgement was presented at the Honors & Awards ceremony held during the SMPTE 2016 Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition, between October 24 and 27, in the Hollywood and Highland Center, Los Angeles. Together with Fernando, other SMPTE Fellow members each received a plaque commemorating their elevation to this grade of membership.

The Society’s Past President, Wendy Aylsworth, introduced the new Fellows at the ceremony. The commendation is chosen annually following a vote by the Board of SMPTE.

“This was the first award I have ever received in my professional life! My work has been recognized by my peers in an entity that is the world’s largest and most important in television and cinema engineering, consisting of professionals from all over the world.  Receiving the commendation this year was even more special because it was awarded during the celebrations of the entity’s centenary”, says Bittencourt in a celebratory mood.

Fernando Bittencourt began his career in 1969 as an intern at Rede Globo, a television station where he held several positions until becoming engineering director in 1991, a position he held for more than 20 years. Bittencourt has been with SET since its foundation in 1988, and has always held executive posts. He is currently president of the institution, following the resignation of Olímpio Franco, who will take up the position of general superintendent.

To see the entire gallery of SMPTE Fellows, click here.