Award nominations are being accepted until June 1, 2025. Please use the online form to submit your nomination to recognize one of our deserving volunteers.
Award nominations for the 2025 Tri-State Seminar are being accepted until June 1, 2025. 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 which 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 their agency, or someone specific from their agency, for the assistance and support, such as time or funding, enabling them to participate in various Tri-State sponsored activities. This award is given at the volunteer’s discretion.
The Past Chair Award is an award given to all prior Tri-State Chairpersons. This award represents a commitment of at least 8 years in the executive board track and has, so far, been an indication of serving many more years.
In 1994, the Big Bend Canoe Club (BBCC) was created, inducting six Navigators. The BBCC is led by the Stroke, a position currently held by Jerry Jimenez. 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 a 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 to receive. Only members of the TSS Anchor Society can induct new members. This award is typically given to those with 25+ years of dedicated service.
Please see the link provided above to view a complete list of the Tri-State Seminar's “Honor Roll” of award recipients since 1990.
| Outstanding Service | Employer Appreciation | Past Chair | Big Bend Canoe Club | Lifetime Achievement | |
| 2024 | Joe Crim Marissa Rada Angel Yanez Sharyl Yanez |
Raj Chavan Jose Cortes Nathan Ellis Blake Gonska Don Hanson Geno Mammini Celina Martinez Jose Peña Frederick Tack Robert Wooten |
LeAnna Risso John Getchell Merv Sodia Don Roberson Pat Davis Randy Hines Keni Whalen Jeff Carter Bruce Dacko Jerry Jimenez Jake Jacobson Cindy Martinez Lee Boyer |
David Holguin James Taylor |
Jerry Jimenez Javier Villareal |
| 2023 | James Taylor Peter Beaulieu |
Stephen Johns Tom Galeziewski |
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| 2022 | Tammy Geike Michel Blea Bryant Chinn Ashley Jacobson |
Javier Villareal | Edward Starner | ||
| 2021 | Julia Lew Dana LaRance Mike Espejo |
Lisa Culbert Paul Krauth |
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| 2019 | Salvador Cruz Kook Kim Dean Lucky Roberts Frank Rodarte Greg Turner Roberta Valle Angel Yanez Sharyl Yanez |
Dan Fisher, Clark County Water Reclamation District Maureen Robinson, South Point Hotel & Casino |
Cindy Martinez | Linda Grossman Gary Hall |
Annette Duarte Cindy Martinez |
| 2018 | Lisa Culbert Susan Getchell |
Laura Giuliano, Las Vegas | LeAnna Risso Kelli Callahan |
Jeff Carter Keni Whalen |
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| 2017 | Angie Villareal Chris Henrichsen John Martinez Stephen Johns Tom Galeziewski |
Jake Jacobson | Gene Dahl Mike MacKenzie |
Pat Davis John Getchell Vicki Scott |
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| 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 Tim Page Eugene Bragazzi Hector Perez |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |