Past Award Recipients
NAI Fellow Award
Note: In the 1990s the NAI Board of Directors chose to honor all previous AIN/WIA Fellows as NAI Fellows.
2022 - Brenda Lackey
2021 - Amy Lethbridge
2020 - Evie Kirkwood
2019 - Dr. Theresa Coble
2018 - Dr. Carolyn Ward
2017 - Dr. Robert D. Bixler
2016 - Ron Zimmerman
2015 - Mike Gross
2014 - John Veverka
2013 - Jon K. Hooper, Ph.D.
2012 - Dr. Will LaPage
2011 - Dr. Larry Beck
2010 - John Luzader
2009 - Alan Leftridge
2008 - Jean L. Kinnear
2007 - Douglas Knudson
2006 - Donna Pozzi
2005 - Paul H. Risk
2004 - Bob Jennings
2003 - Tom Mullin
2002 - Bob Hinkle
2001 - Cem Basman
2000 - Ted Cable
1999 - Gail Vander Stoep
1998 - Mike Legg
1997 - Jim Covel
1996 - Jim Goss
1995 - James Gale
1994 - Lisa Brochu
1993 - Gary Mullins
1992 - Mike Link
1991 - Paul Fransden
1990 - Sam Ham
1989 - Ron Russo
1988 - William Lewis
1987 - Tim Merriman
1985 - Dave Patterson
1981 - Gabriel Cherem, Elizabeth Horn, Frank Podriznik, John Hanna, Roland Nagel
1980 - Walter Jones, Ben Mahaffey
1979 - Robert Young
1978 - Jerold Elliot
1977 - Harold Gilluame
1976 - Nelson Bernard, Carl Holcomb, Patricia Eising Carlson, Arthur Wilcox
1975 - John Brainerd, Donald Robinson
1974 - Grant Sharpe
1973 - Paul Goff, Paul Knapp Jr.
1972 - Bryon Ashbaugh Stanton Ernst Sr., Charles Mohr, Howard Weaver, Roland Eisenbeis, Robert Kelly, Wiliam Colpitts, Kenneth Hunt, Bertalan Szabo, Frank Bunce, William Hopkins
1969 - C. Kenny Dale, Alan Helmsley, Harold Wallin
1968 - Robert Mann, Sigurd Olson
1967 - Reynold Carlson, Walter Tucker, Garrett Eppley
President's Award
2022 - Larry Beck
2021 - John Miller
2020 - C. Parker McMullen Bushman
2019 - Ryan Finchum
2018 - Bertalan “Bert” Szabo
2015 - Jane Beattie
2014 - Kye-Joong Cho
2013 - Chuck Lennox
2012 - Tim Merriman & Lisa Brochu
2011 - David Larsen
2010 - Ray Novotny
2009 - Amy Galperin
2008 - Corky Mayo
2006 - Roger Conant
2005 - Mickey Willis
2003 - Faith Duncan
2001 - Enda Mills Kiley
2000 - K.C. DenDooven
Master Interpretive Manager Award
2022 - Jenn Kirts, Katie Raney
2021 - Kevin Damstra, Clark Hancock
2020 - Tara Humphreys, Amy Roell
2019 - Jim Buchholz
2018 - Alonso Abugattas, Steve Boyd-Smith
2017 - Carl Casavecchia, Phil Sexton
2016 - John Miller, Ray Novotny
2015 - Ira Bletz, Vicki Basman
2014 - Skot Latona, Bill McGowan
2013 - Lezlie Murray, Siah L. St. Clair
2012 - Jim Fitzpatrick, Michael R. McCaffrey
2011 - Neil Curry, Rachel J. Garren
2010 - Kelly Farrell, Jenn Wright
2009 - Kathy McPherson, Travis Williams
2008 - Dan Best, James W. O’Neill
2007 - Bradley Block, Ann Bugeda
2006 - Karen Green, Jay Miller
2005 - Debra McRae, Donna Scheeter
2004 - Robert Wittersheim, Denise Gehring
2003 - Marianne Mills, Mona Enquist-Johnston
2002 - Ken Gober
2001 - Patrick Barry
2000 - John Schaust
1999 - Nancy Herwig, Ginger Murphy
1998 - Jim Smith, Sarah Reding
Master Frontline Interpreter Award
2022 - Stacy Gray, Sue MacLaughlin Rasche
2021 - Jerrel Geisler, Daniel Williford
2020 - Julie Gee, Michelle Soenksen
2019 - Howard J. Aprill, Patricia Clark-Gray
2018 - Karen Barrett, Scott Beam
2017 - Douglas Allan Horvath, Heather Hucka
2016 - Cyndi Cogbill, Trent Redfield
2015 - Bruce Beerbower, Janet Price
2014 - Doug Elliot, Dorothy McLeer
2013 - Pamela Machuga, Sara Lustbader
2012 - Michael J. Moran, Mark D. Szabo
2011 - Daniel Keto, Patty Wren Smith
2010 - Molly Postlewait, Pat Silovsky
2009 - Bill Lindemann, Jay Schneider
2008 - Jody Moats, Rick Zenn
2007 - Bob Dispenza, Tim Krynak
2006 - Joanie Cahill, Wil Reding
2005 - Foster Brown, Linda M. Yemoto
2004 - Don R. Simons
2003 - Scott Mair, Mary Bonnell
2002 - Jason Neumann
2001 - David Stokes
2000 - Brian Cahill
1999 - Ralph Naess
1998 - Katie Ellis
Excellence in Interpretation Award
1997 - Christine Revelas
1996 - Maggie Hachmeister
1995 - Richard Pawling
1994 - Althea Roberson
Master of Interpretation
1997 - John Luzader
1996 - Ted Cable
1995 - Bob Jennings
1994 - Jim Pease
NAI Meritorious Service Award
2021 - Therese Joyce, Robin Joy Wellman, Roger Riolo
2020 - Laura Drath, Naomi Thompson, Erin Gates
2019 - Brian Thill
2018 - Robert Carter
2017 - Cem Basman, Jeff Miller
2016 - Lori Spencer, Sara M. Skinner, Angela Yau
2015 - Faith Duncan
2014 - Marvin McNew, Ray Novotny
2013 - Todd Bridgewater
2012 - Linda Jean Strand
2009 - Sarah Keating, Eric Andersen, Larry Beck, Julie Ernst, Jonetta Holt, Alan Kaplan, Doug Knapp, Sara Lustbader, Jolene Redvale
2008 - Susan Boggs
2007 - Brian Cahill
2006 - Cathy Meyer, Jerry Bauer
2005 - Chris Brabander, 2005 NIW Planning Team
2003 - Ray Novotny, Carol Leasure, Susan Williams, Debbie Tewell, 2003 NIW Planning Team
2002 - Diantha Martin, Vern Fish, NIW 2002 Planning Team
2001 - Pamela Rout, Heidi Kortright, NIW 2001--Des Moines Planning Team, Spring Training Hawaii Planning Team
2000 - Mary Ann Best, Amy Galperin, Dr. John Burde, Sue Benson, Sarah Blodgett, James Heitzman, Deb McRae, Vicky Wachtler, Gary Warshefski, Doug Weeks, Linda Yemoto, NIW 1999 - Syracuse Planning Team, Spring Training Duluth Planning Team, NIW 2000 - Tucson Planning Team
1999 - Gary Stolz, John Morris, Diane Jung, Kristi Kantola, Jean Kinnear, Dominic Canale, Amy Galperin, Costa Dillon
1998 - Chan Biggs, Lisa Brochu, Alan Capelle, Carol Cole, Bob Valen
1997 - Rick Magee, Marsha Knittig
1996 - Vem Fish, Sandy Lyons, Roy Geiger, Gail Vander Stoep, Debra Erickson
1995 - Corky McReynolds, Broc Stenman, NAI Region 4 NIW Planning Team
1994 - Brett Wright, Tom Mullin, Sarah Blodgett, John Baines, Julie Carrol, Wil Reding, John Schaust
1993 - Karin Hostetter, Alan Leftridge, Mike Nicholson, Paul Ferreira
1992 - Duncan Rollo, Debbie Tewell, Ray Tabata, Gabe Cherum, Robert Schneider
1991 - GeorgeTabb, Mike Legg, Dave Kulhavy, Evie Kirkwood, Ann Wright, Larry Contri, Michael Watson, Bob Budlinger
1990 - Bob Jennings, Tom Mullin, Lee Westerburg, Jim Malkowski, Fred Wooley, Siah St. Clair
1989 - Jann Young, Karin Hostetter, William Randall, Gail Vander Stoep, Doug Ruth, Dick Namba
1988- Tom Christensen, Ann Wright, Rich Koopman, Dave Vincent, Jim Tuck, Donna Pozzi, Paul Nelson, Lisa Brochu, Mark Parmalee
1987 - Tom Christensen, Ann Wright, Rich Koopman, Cem Basman, Mike Legg
Outstanding New Interpreter Award
2022 - Sabrina Deschamps
2021 - Sarah Kent
2020 - James Allen, Jr.
2019 - Ashley Elizabeth Adams
2018 - Kaitie Janecke Soltesz
2017 - Virginia Delgado
2016 - Kylie Starck
2015 - Jessica Goodrich
2014 - Heather Horstman
2013 - Rachel Diersen
2012 - Lydia L. Austin
2011 - Elizabeth Rochow
2010 - Randy Pearson
2009 - Mary Anne Parker
2008 - Paula Zamiatowski
2007 - Kara Haas
2005 - Kelli English
2004 - Janet L. Stoffer
2003 - Jody Heaston
2002 - Ginger Cox
2001 - Leslie Witkowski
2000 - Andrea Haslage
1999 - Pete Stobie
1998 - Jodi Morris
1997 - Maria Daly
1996 - Jon Spiels
1994 - Mike Greene
1993 - Craig Kirkwood
1992 - Jennifer Emery
1991 - Tim Cook
1990 - Ken Bowald
Outstanding Senior Interpreter Award
2022 - Ray Novotny
2021 - Linda Yemoto
2020 - George Kastler
2019 - Joseph Patrick "Pat" Barry
2018 - Robert Hinkle
2017 - Ron Russo
2016 - Anthony Ingraham
2015 - Ken Gober
2014 - Bob Wittersheim
2013 - Alan Kaplan
2012 - Diantha Naylor Martin
2011 - Ranger Steve Mueller
2010 - Neil Garrison
2009 - Stanton Ernst
2008 - O. Christian Nelson
2006 - Robert Stebbins
2005 - Ralph Ramey
2004 - Howard E. Weaver
2003 - Donald Altemus
2002 - Bertlan Szabo
2000 - Forest Buchanan
1999 - William Whitehouse
1998 - Robert Hakala
Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer
2022 - Dan Barriball
2020 - Shirley Pecoraro
2019 - Barney K. Combs
2018 - Robert Pecoraro
2016 - Shawna Skinner
2015 - William "Bill" Whitehouse
2014 - Bert Szabo
2012 - James F. Kerr
2010 - Jim Hawes
2009 - Kathy Miller
2008 - David Gates
2007 - Jerome Bridges
2005 - Lori Spencer
2004 - Mary Keefer Bloom
2002 - Angel Gochee
Outstanding NAI Product Award
2011 - “Whisper on the Wind” CD, NAI Region 6
2000 - Region 5 ("Interpretive Undercurrents" book)
1998 - Region 4
Excellence in Interpretive Support Award
2021 - Brett Peto
2020 - National Museum of the U.S. Army, Rob Nedotiafko
2019 - Blue Moon Restaurant, Chef Lion Gardner
2016 - Friends of Great Plains Nature Center
2015 - Friends of Spruce Woods, Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center Volunteers Association
2014 - Friends of Jackson County Conservation (Iowa)
2011 - Friends of Beaver Lake, Friends of the Mines of Spain
2009 - Lee & Rose Warner Foundation
2008 - Alaska Geographic History Institute, Death Valley Natural History Association
2007 - Dick Taylor, Calaveras Big Trees Association
2006 - Friends of Wehr, White Mountain Interpretive Association
2005 - Friends of Algonquin Park;Theresa Coble, Mike Legg, and Pat Stephens Williams
2004 - Friends of Hearst Castle
2003 - Friends of Santa Cruz
2000 - Friends of Sabino Canyon, USFS, Tucson, AZ; Friends of Great Smoky Mountains & Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, Gallatin, TN; Bruce Stebbins and Onondaga County Parks, NY
1999 - Clarksville Riverfront Development Foundation,Indiana; Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions, Texas
1998 - Friends of Holliday Park, Indianapolis, Indiana; Arkansas Departrnent of Parks and Tourism
1997 - Hamilton County Parks, Cincinnati, Ohio
1996 - KDSM Fox 17/Dan Nannen, Des Moines, Iowa
1995 - Oxley Nature Center Association, Oklahoma
1994 - Red Rocks Canyon Interpretive Association, Las Vegas, Nevada
Community Interpretive Service Award
2010 - Melanie Flamme
2005 - McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory, Inc.
2004 - Lake Champlain Basin Program Steering Committee, Connexus Energy
2003 - Friends of Crawford Park Dist.
2000 - Susan Grace Stoltz, Friends of Creamer's Field, AK; Donald Pendergrast, Alaska Interpretive Services, AK
1999 - Jill DiMauro, MNCPPC Montgomery Co., Brookside Nature Center, Maryland; Buckman Elementary School, Portland, Oregon; South Bend Audubon Society, Indiana; Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, Virginia; Barbara Norton, Wagon Wheel Natural History Association, California
1998 - Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake, St. Joseph County, Indiana; Mike Edmonds, Dean of Students, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Pacific Gas and Electric Co, San Luis Obispo, California; Archeological Support Team (PAST), Arkansas
NAI Special Award
2022 - Ira Bletz
2020 - Toya Jervay (in memoriam), Vianey Moreno, Bert Szabo, Texas Parks and Wildlife
2000 - Bruce McHenry, Bruce Stebbins & Onodaga County Parks, KC DenDooven
Prior to 2000 - James Eddy, Mary Lou Ferbert, Sharon Frandsen, John Hanna, Wendy King, Ron Parker, Jim Peters, St. Joseph County Parks-Indiana, San Diego County Parks, Philip Tedesco, Edward Thomas
Lifetime Meritorious Service Award
2000 - D. Bruce McHenry
NAI Award of Distinction
2015 - Kevin Damstra, Jim Peters, Bill Weldon, Travis Williams