Award nominations are being accepted until June 2, 2023. Please use the online form to submit your nomination to recognize one of our deserving volunteers.
In 1990, the Tri-State Seminar Executive Committee recognized the extraordinary service of Charles E. (Chuck) Ohr with the first TSS Outstanding Service Award and is now awarded to volunteers with 5+ years of dedicated service. As the first recipient, Chuck became the Awards Committee Chair.
The Employer Appreciation Award gives the volunteers of Tri-State the opportunity to recognize the company they work for or someone specific from their company. This would be specifically for the assistance given to the volunteer to be able to do Tri-State stuff such as time or funding. This is given at the volunteer’s discretion.
Past Chair is an automatic award given to all prior Tri-State Chairpersons. This award represents a commitment of at least 8 years minimum of just the executive board track and has so far been an indication of many more years.
In 1994, the Big Bend Canoe Club (BBCC) was created, inducting six Navigators. The BBCC is led by the Stroke, John Getchell. Membership in the BBCC has grown slowly, since it requires extraordinary service to the Tri-State Seminar just to be nominated. The badge of a Navigator is a gold paddle (dubbed the 'ohr'). Getting paddled by a crew of navigators is an prestigious and emotional moment for a Tri-State volunteer. This award is given to those with 10+ years of dedicated service.
In 2017, a new award was presented to three of our longest serving volunteers. The TSS Lifetime Achievement Award inducts members into the TSS Anchor Society and is now considered the most prestigious award. Only members of the TSS Anchor Society can add the newest members. This award is given to those with 25+ years of dedicated service.
The following is a list of the most recent award recipients. Please see the provided link to view a complete list of the Tri-State Seminar's 'Honor Roll' of awards since 1990.
Outstanding Service | Employer Appreciation | Past Chair | Big Bend Canoe Club | Lifetime Achievement | |
2022 | Tammy Geike Michel Blea Bryant Chinn Ashley Jacobson |
|
Javier Villareal | Edward Starner | |
2021 |
Julia Lew |
Lisa Culbert |
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2019 |
Salvador Cruz |
Dan Fisher, Clark County Water Reclamation District |
Cindy Martinez |
Linda Grossman |
Annette Duarte |
2018 | Lisa Culbert Susan Getchell |
Laura Giuliano, Las Vegas | LeAnna Risso Kelli Callahan |
Jeff Carter Keni Whalen |
|
2017 |
Angie Villareal |
Jake Jacobson |
Gene Dahl |
Pat Davis |
|
2016 |
David Holguin Gary Hall Gene Dahle Javier Villarreal John Watson Keli Callahan Leanna Risso Linda Grossman Maggie Martinez Mark Lina Paul Krauth Robert Olds Rynta Porter Bruce Dacko |
Metro Water District Ojai Valley Sanitation District |
Rick Simpson Bruce Dacko Margaret Colby John Watson |
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2015 | Lake Hemet Municipal Water District | Jerry Jimenez | Nicole DeMoet | ||
2014 |
Dave Badgley Kris Bustamante Paul Johnson Randy Ottens Francis Solis Tom Rura Ron Schyler Paul Walton |
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2013 |
Ann Humeniuk Margaret Colby Rick Simpson |
City of Coachella CA Valley Sand District |
Pat Davis |
Mitch Freeman Eugene Bragazzi Hector Perez |
|
2012 |
Doug Drury Dave Badgley Paul Walton |
Evans Hydro | |||
2011 |
Kristine Hammond Pete Humeniuk Mike MacKenzie Fred Bollinger |
Bruce Dacko |
Jake Jacobson Sheri Boyer Julie Taylor |
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2010 |
Steve Davis Mitchell Freeman Gary Smith Clint Harris Tom Rura Rick Lewis Sandy Carter Paul Walton Nicole Green Eugene Braggazi Hector Perez |
Michael Gritzuk Pima County Regional Reclamation Dept. |
Lee Boyer Steve Davis |
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2009 |
Eric Leveque Jake Jacobsen Tim Page Kris Bustamente Lino Vega |
Mission Springs Water District Target Business Products |
Jeff Carter |
Mark Graham Dan Hood Jerry Jimenez Debbie Stratton Mark Evan Martinez |
|
2008 |
Lee Boyer Sheri Boyer Mark Graham Mark E. Martinez Randy Ottens Rick Roper Dave Ruegge Julie Taylor Gerardo (Jerry) Jimenez |
City of Mesa - Water Reclamation Facility City of Tempe - Water Department |
Ed Starner Dave Ruegge Rita Buck |