NYSAA Awards

NYSAA Awards and Recognition

Message from the NYSAA Awards Committee Chair

An association is only as good as its members – the New York State Assessors Association is no exception. We pride ourselves on attaining personal excellence and advancing our shared occupation to a higher level of professionalism.

From time to time, there are individuals who distinguish themselves from their contemporaries. More often than not, without looking for public recognition or personal glory, these individuals exert extraordinary effort in a multitude of areas to further the goals of the New York State Assessors Association.

In an ongoing effort to ensure that these individuals do not go unnoticed, the Awards Committee was established to review recommendations, from any individual, knowledgeable of another individual’s contribution to the assessment profession.

In the time leading up to the Annual Meeting and Seminars, you are encouraged to keep in mind the awards available and keep an "eye out" for those individuals most deserving of the recognition that these awards afford.

The perspective recipient does not need to meet ALL of the prerequisites of the potential award. The descriptions below are guidelines established for the Awards Committee to help them choose worthy recipients.

The NYSAA Awards Committee asks that you consider nominating a colleague who you feel deserves one of the awards listed below. Nominations must be submitted on or before July 1. Awards will be presented at the Annual Fall Conference. Please click here for the online submission form.

Lisa Goree
Chair, NYSAA Awards Committee

ASSESSOR’S OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD

To be awarded to those individual members of NYSAA actively serving as assessors who have made an outstanding contribution and, in doing so, have furthered the professional status of the assessor’s role in real property tax administration and real estate appraising. Recommendations for this award rest with the local county assessors associations and must be signed by both the president and secretary of the associations, reflecting the favorable action of the specific county organization as a whole, or recommendations may be accepted from three or more of the nominee’s peers who are members in good standing of NYSAA.

1985 Paul H. Jacobs
1988 Nathaniel A. Jackson
1999 Frederick F. Martin (2014)
2002 Robert P. Killeen, Sr., IAO
2002 Josette J. Polzella, IAO (2016)
2004 Roger E. Tibbetts, IAO
2010 Erin Gratch
2013 David L. Rosebrook, IAO
2018 J. Todd Wiley, IAO
2019 James F. Maloney, IAO
2021 Patrick Duffy, IAO
2022 Colleen Adamec, IAO
2023 Erin Gratch

ASSESSORS PROFESSIONALISM AWARD (This is now the Robert Osias Professionalism Award.)

1985 Delo A. Galvin
1985 Melvin Lesser
1985 Douglas Stickles
1986 Romeo Astafan
1986 Thomas E. Logan
1986 Louis W. Roeper
1987 H. George Fisk
1987 L. Ralph Gillard
1987 Shirley D. Royak
1987 Frederick Stutz
1988 John H. Aman
1988 Everett J. Blazey
1988 Robert C. Gerlook
1988 Ralph B. Haller
1988 Clara M. Williams
1989 Paul R. DeRue
1989 William R. Evans
1989 Michael J. Fogarty
1990 John F. Campbell
1990 Daniel J. Earl
1990 William F. Nellis
1990 Herbert M. Press
1990 Deanne S. Rehm
1990 Ferdinand S. Thering
1991 Leo A. Condon
1991 Terrell Ann Muller
1992 Robert F. Cullen
1992 Harold E. Mulkine
1992 Althea O. Roll
1993 Franklin D. Stein
1993 Stephen Robson
1993 Shirley M. Hynes
1993 Allen Jackson
1993 Philip McGovern
1994 John O. Lynch
1994 Kevin Quinlan
1994 Curt Schoeberl
1995 Purshottam Patel
1998 Thomas Frey, FIAO
1998 Sally J. Vedder
1998 Thomas Frey, FIAO
2003 Elizabeth L. Dowd

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

This award is given to any organization or individual, public or private, who has provided noteworthy assistance to the cause of assessment administration in the areas of legislation and/or education, thus promoting the interests and objectives of the New York State Assessors Association.

1995 Steven Child
1995 Brian Daniels
1998 Joseph Taggart, FIAO
1998 Paul Maniacek, IAO
1999 Barry Flansburg
2000 Paula Sarvis
2000 Michael B. Sommer, IAO
2002 John H. McDonald
2002 Assemblyman David R. Koon
2004 Tony Cantore
2004 Robert Herz
2005 Mark Twentyman, IAO
2005 Richard Sinnott
2005 J. Craig Surprise, IAO
2006 Assemblyman Scott Stringer
2006 Senator Martin J. Golden
2006 Rebecca Marino
2010 George E. Herren, IAO, CCD
2016 Patrick J. Duffy, IAO
2016 David Roach, IAO
2016 Rebecca Speno, Esq.
2016 Debra Mullenax
2016 Warren County Assessors Assn.
2017 Cindy Baire
2017 John Spaulding
2017 Russell Sugg
2018 Lori Barber
2019 Curtis J. Schoeberl
2022 Dylan Harris
2022 Theresa Marzano
2023 Deanne Rehm
2024 Albany County Assessors Association
2024 Daniel Vincelette

DISTINGUISHED ASSESSMENT JURISDICTION AWARD

This award is conferred on a local or regional assessment-related agency that has instituted a technical, procedural, or administrative program that is an improvement over prior programs and is a contributing factor to equity in property taxation. The submission must include a description of the program, the date or dates when the program was implemented, the reason for the new program, a description of the effect of the new program on assessment administration, and a detailed description of the program.

2013 St. Lawrence County

DISTINGUISHED ASSISTANCE AWARD

This award is conferred on the organization, agency, or individual, either public or private, who has been most effective in rendering significant support to the cause of assessment administration in the areas of organization and practice.

1956 Malcolm Wilson
1958 NYS Board of Equalization & Assessment
1960 Theodore H. Kline
1960 Raymond B. Slack
1974 Eleanor E. Way
1981 Anne D. Costelli
1983 Dorothy Benton
1983 Jess J. Present
1985 Steven Russell
1986 Susan Howarth
1987 Erie County Assessor's Association
1987 Adrian B. Stanton
1987 Town of Webster
1988 Mary M. Dwyer
1991 Richard L. Lowenberg and the Manlius Town Board
1993 Andrea Nilon, FIAO
1994 Lori Brooks
2001 Steve Currin & Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service
2002 Robert C. Diener
2002 Senator William Larkin
2002 Assemblyman Paul Tonko
2004 Nelson Clayton
2004 Assemblyman Richard A. Smith
2006 Senator Betty Little
2007 Karen Moreau
2007 Thomas Lynch
2008 Paul Miller
2009 John Way-John Costello Memorial Education Fund
2009 Lorie Cleveland
2010 Jane Powers, IAO
2012 Michael J. Bernard, IAO
2012 Robert R. Harris
2013 Senator John J. Bonacic
2013 Assemblywoman Sandra R. Galef
2014 Supervisor Ronald Nesbitt
2015 Patricia McVee, IAO
2015 Robert Bick, AIA
2016 William H. Vargulick
2016 Stephen Harris
2017 Donna Brown
2017 Roger Pigeon
2018 Robin Johnson
2019 Candy Akin
2021 Christine Aldrich
2022 Rae-Lyn Dussault
2023 Justin Taylor

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award, the highest afforded by the New York State Assessors Association, is to be awarded discriminately in recognition of those members who have served the association with many years of distinguished and dedicated service: members whose character, integrity, and skill have reflected favorably on both the profession as a whole and the New York State Assessors Association in particular.

1967 Robert F. Kilmer (1989)
1968 J. Kenneth Nelson (1985)
1969 C. Ray Wagner
1971 George J. Hill (1988)
1971 John F. St. George (1975)
1971 John E. Walsh (1988)
1972 Thomas G. Payne
1974 John H. Way (1983)
1975 Julian Utevsky
1977 Thomas F. McGrath
1978 Ethel H. Ingersoll
1979 John M. Costello (1984)
1979 Hollis Swett
1980 James H. Howarth
1980 C. Warren Porth
1983 Allison D. Arlen (1992)
1983 Ethel H. Ingersoll
1983 Joseph J. Taggart
1984 Joseph N. Kinn
1984 Kenneth W. MacPherson
1984 Alfred Schimmel
1987 Lawrence D. Benton (1989)
1988 Elliot Glaser
1989 Thomas A. McManus (2024)
1992 James and Susan Howarth
1993 Andrea Nilon, FIAO
1995 Nicholas Longo (2024)
1999 Margaret I. Iacomini, IAO (2006)
2001 Steven Currin
2002 Andrea Nilon, FIAO
2004 Thomas Frey, FIAO
2011 Anne M. Sapienza, IAO
2012 Josette J. Polzella, IAO (2016)
2013 Curtis J. Schoeberl
2015 Tim Sheares, IAO
2016 Peggy Jenkins
2018 Edye McCarthy, IAO
2021 David Moog, IAO
2022 Scott Shedler, IAO
2023 Roger Tibbetts, FIAO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S AWARD

The Executive Director's Award is given to the individual, member or non-member, who has provided distinguished and valuable service to the office of the Executive Director.

2021 Tracy Carman
2022 James Molinaro, Jr., IAO
2023 Victoria Sirota, IAO
2024 Maggie Alix

INNOVATION AWARD

This award is established to recognize new ideas developed by New York State Assessors Association members in two categories: public information and office procedures and techniques. Entries may be submitted in one or both categories. Public information entries will be considered for the member who has developed the most effective, original idea resulting in some improvement in the office procedures previously employed. Those entering this category should prepare a written statement outlining the new idea including the existing problem and the results achieved through adoption and implementation of the idea, and submit an exhibit illustrating application of the idea.

1994 Clara Sterio & Esther Rogers
1994 Oswego County Assessor's Association
1995 Andrea Nilon, FIAO
1999 Richard O'Donnell
2004 Valeria Coggins
2006 Harry Williams
2008 Ulster County Assessor's Association
2010 Mark Brown
2010 Robin Johnson
2010 Jeneen McSkimming
2010 Kandace Wittmeyer
2011 Rebecca Baker

MEDIA AWARD

This award is designed to encourage quality coverage of assessment and property tax concerns by the media. These awards are conferred upon individuals or organizations in the news media that have produced an original work that contributes to a better understanding of assessment administration. All works must have appeared or been broadcast within the calendar year prior to submission. The title of the article, editorial, or tape transcript (if radio or television broadcast), publication the item appeared in, date, author(s), and reason for recommendation must be included with the nomination.

1989 The Times Union (Albany)
1991 W. C. Dannenbrink, The Daily Messenger (Canandaigua)
1991 Stanford Lipsey, The Buffalo News
1992 Lisa W. Foderaro, The New York Times
1993 Edward Fitzpatrick, Schenectady Daily Gazette
1994 Gordon Webb
1995 Wolfe Community Newspapers
1998 Maggie Klein, The Pelham Weekly
1999 The Times Herald Record (Middletown)
2001 Greg Clary, The Journal News
2002 Brad Heath, Binghamton Press & Sun Times (Binghamton)
2003 Paul Brooks, Middletown Times Herald Record
2005 The Daily Gazette (Schenectady)
2006 Steven M. Sweeney, The Post-Journal (Jamestown)
2006 The Ithaca Journal (Ithaca)
2007 Christie L. Herbst, Editor, The Post-Journal (Jamestown)
2009 Chris Rowley, Shawangunk Journal (Shawangunk)
2011 Marnie Eisenstadt, The Post-Standard (Syracuse)
2014 David McKay Wilson, The Journal News (White Plains)
2018 Michelle Breidenbach, The Post-Standard (Syracuse)
2019 David McKay Wilson, The Journal News (White Plains)
2023 Anthony Hall, Lake George Mirror
2024 Dan Cummings, retired WSYR-TV news anchor, broadcast journalism
2024 David McKay Wilson, lohud.com, print journalism

MEMBERSHIP AWARD

This award is presented to the New York State Assessors Association member who has contributed the most in the promotion and recruitment of new members. For the purposes of the award, credit for new member recruitment is granted for the period immediately after an annual conference and extends 60 days prior to the next annual conference.

1979 Allison D. Arlen (1992)
1984 John O. Lynch
1984 Edward T. Zehler
2002 Mathew Joseph, IAO
2002 Timothy A. Sheares, IAO
2017 Susan Briggs

MOST VALUABLE MEMBER AWARD

This award is presented to the member whose unfailing and diligent endeavors have been most effective in promoting the interests of the New York State Assessors Association during the 12 month period prior to July 1 of the current year.

1986 Jay J. Wheeler
1994 Patricia A. Frey
2003 Susan C. Otis, FIAO
2007 Mathew Joseph, IAO
2012 Cathy L. Conklin, IAO
2013 Colleen A. Adamec, IAO
2017 Scott Shedler, IAO
2018 Stephen Teele, IAO

OUTSTANDING COUNTY ASSOCIATION AWARD

This award is conferred on a NYSAA county chapter or association that has made an outstanding contribution to the realization of the goals and objectives of the New York State Assessors Association. Examples of such contributions would be educational activities, research and publications, public information activities, and membership recruitment and retention. The chapter or association must have 100% membership for the year prior to and the year in which it is nominated.

1991 Jefferson County Assessors Association
2004 Erie County Assessor's Association
2005 Ulster County Assessor's Association
2017 Westchester County Assessor's Association
2022 Warren County Assessors Association

OUTSTANDING NEW MEMBER AWARD

To be awarded in recognition of the member of the New York State Assessors Association, of less than three years, who has shown character, integrity, and skills that favorably reflect on the New York State Assessors Association, the professional status of the assessor, and the assessment profession.

2017 William Purtell, IAO
2018 Christine Thurston
2021 Katie Harrington
2022 Thomas Cardinal

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

2001 Patricia Frey
2002 J. Todd Wiley, IAO
2002 Curtis J. Schoeberl
2003 William D. Quick, IAO
2004 Susan C. Otis, IAO
2005 Susan C. Otis, IAO
2006 Cathy Conklin, IAO
2007 Susan C. Otis, IAO
2010 Laverne D. Tennenberg, IAO
2013 Randall G. Holcomb, IAO
2017 Jay Franklin, IAO
2018 Scott Shedler, IAO
2019 Laverne D. Tennenberg, IAO
2020 Maggie Alix
2020 Michael Schmidt, Commissioner, New York State Department of Tax and Finance
2021 Assemblywoman Sandy Galef
2022 Christine Hayes
2023 Lori Barber
2024 Rochelle Harris, IAO

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

This award is given to the governmental entity that has developed and implemented an effective system for the dissemination of information to taxpayers concerning the assessment process. This may include, but is not limited to, public relations forums, brochures explaining assessment administration, local media programs, and development of audio-visual programs. Pertinent information must be supplied to support the nomination in the form of either an original or photocopy of the program/brochure or a copy of any audio-visual program.

1993 Town of Brighton
1995 Town of Penfield
2006 Schalmont High School Advanced Placement Government Studies Department

ROBERT OSIAS PROFESSIONALISM AWARD

To be awarded to those individual members of NYSAA actively serving as assessors and who have held their office for at least nine consecutive years, serving with diligence, integrity, and a quiet professional competence that has won the approbation of their peers and the municipality he or she serves and reflects credit upon the entire profession. Recommendations for this award rest with the local county assessors associations and must be signed by both the president and secretary of the association, reflecting the favorable action of the county organization as a whole. It is further advised that such recommendation include supporting letters from the related municipality and the county director of Real Property Tax Service. Recommendations may also be accepted from three or more of the nominee’s peers who are members in good standing of NYSAA.

1999 Andrea Nilon, FIAO
2001 Richard H. Hubner, FIAO
2002 L. Ralph Gillard, IAO
2003 Elizabeth L. Dowd
2004 Linda Leach, IAO
2005 Anne Sapienza, IAO
2006 John Gamage, IAO (2015)
2007 Helen C. Otte
2008 Karen Bowker
2009 Terry L. Buckley
2010 Gregory W. Hild, IAO
2011 Robert K. Newell
2012 Randall G. Holcomb, IAO
2013 Stephen H. Robson, IAO
2014 Flora McCuen
2014 Christine Fusco
2015 Cathy Conklin, FIAO
2016 Nicholas Grover
2016 Deanne Rehm
2017 Michelle Casandra
2018 Wayne Pickering, IAO
2019 Kandace S. Wittmeyer, SCAA
2022 Robert Criddle, IAO
2023 Dennis Ketcham, IAO
2024 Denise Trudell, IAO

SUSAN U. HOWARTH OUTSTANDING STAFF ASSISTANCE AWARD

To be awarded to those individual members of NYSAA actively serving as staff and who have held their position for at least nine consecutive years, serving with diligence, integrity, and professional competence that has won the appreciation of their peers and reflects credit upon the entire assessment community. Recommendations for this award should be made from the local county assessors associations or from three or more of the nominee’s peers who are members in good standing of NYSAA.

2005 Patricia Frey
2008 Deborah A. Eurich, IAO
2011 Ruby A. Bruce
2013 Anthony R. Popolizio, IAO
2015 Ted Bigelow
2017 Joanne Graham
2017 Tamara VanOrman
2018 Irene Kehoe
2018 Maria Rappocio
2019 Leah Cronin
2020 Gloria Cusano
2020 Angela Ruggeri