IAO Awards

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The Institute of Assessing Officers is proud to present the following list of award recipients. The Board of Trustees makes, and accepts, nominations to recognize and honor deserving persons who have gone above and beyond what is expected of an assessor and/or a member of the Institute of Assessing Officers. The sections below describe each award, the years awarded, and the recipients of the award. 

The IAO 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 June 15. Awards will be presented at the Annual Fall Conference.

It is an honor and a privilege to receive acknowledgement from our colleagues in recognition of our accomplishments, so please consider nominating a deserving colleague. Please submit your nominations using the form at the bottom of this page.
 

Victoria Sirota, IAO
Chair, Awards Committee  
 

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO member or non-member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Either

1998  Susan C. Otis 

1998  John McCarthy 

1998  Saratoga County Assessor's Association 

2015  Maureen Wetter 

2016  Warren J. Wheeler 

2016  Denise Trudell 

2021  Owen Phelps

2024  Donna Komor

CHAIR’S AWARD 

This award is presented to an IAO member or non-member who, in the opinion of the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Assessing Officers, has provided distinguished and valuable service to the Institute and the Chair of the Board.

Who can nominate: IAO Chair

Who can receive: IAO member or non-member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Either

1996  James E. Culver
1997  Michael R. Spiegel (2023)
2000  Nathaniel A. Jackson (2016)
2002  Anne M. Sapienza
2004  Bryan J. Monaghan
2005  John Gamage (2015)
2005  Patrick J. Duffy
2006  Roger E. Tibbetts
2014  Roger E. Tibbetts
2015  Lawrence Quinn

2016  Denise J. Trudell

2017  Denise Spaulding

2019  Edye McCarthy

2019  Anne Sapienza

2020  Thomas Frey

2021  Denise Trudell

2022  Teri Ross

2022  Victoria Sirota

2023  Edye McCarthy

2024  Maggie Alix

DAVID BRIGGS EXCEPTIONAL NEW IAO MEMBER AWARD

This award will be presented in recognition of the Institute of Assessing Officers member, of less than three years, who has shown character, integrity, and skills that favorably reflect on the IAO, the professional status of the assessor, and the assessment profession through the support of education.

David Briggs was an instructor and author of numerous courses. He is a past NYSAA president, IAO Trustee, Dean of the Cornell Seminar, Fellow of the Institute (FIAO) and Executive Director. He was a mentor to new members and consistently encouraged them to pursue education and further the assessment profession. His quiet dedication left a permanent imprint on the Association.

Qualities displayed: David was a mentor to others, supported education, and was an active committee volunteer.

To be awarded for the first time in 2024.

Years of service: Less than 3

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO Member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Active

2024  Molly MacElroy

ELLIOT GLASER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award shall be presented to the IAO member who has exhibited extraordinary commitment and achievement while a member of the Institute. This is clearly demonstrated by years of service to the Institute in proactively achieving a higher level of education in our profession. This commitment to education was evident not only in their own achievements, but by how they helped others. 

Elliot Glaser was the assessor for the City of White Plains. He served as an IAO Trustee, Fellow of the Institute (FIAO), was presented with the Distinguished Service Award, and served as Dean of the Cornell Seminar. He was John H. Way - John M. Costello Memorial Educational Fund's financial advisor in its early years, getting it off to a great start.

Qualities displayed: Elliot was a mentor who listened without questioning others’ knowledge or experiences and always available to help and used storytelling as a means to connect with colleagues.

Years of service: At least 10 years

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO Member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Either

2003  Michael R. Spiegel (2023)
2008  David W. Briggs
2011  Susan C. Otis
2013  Roger E. Tibbetts

2017  Andrea Nilon

2018  Thomas Frey

2018  Anne Sapienza

2022  Laverne Tennenberg

2023  Edye McCarthy

2024  Scott Shedler
 

GEORGE J. HILL EDUCATOR EMERITUS AWARD

This award is presented to an IAO member who has served the IAO with many years of distinguished and dedicated service as an instructor. 

George J. Hill was the assessor for the Town of Greenburgh. He was an instructor and collaborated with John Walsh to author an "In Training Correspondence Course." He was an IAO Trustee, Fellow of the Institute (FIAO), Cornell Seminar Dean, and a moving force behind the John H. Way - John M. Costello Memorial Educational Fund.

Qualities displayed: Despite his busy schedule, George found time to write educational manuals and effectively promoted professionalism through his instruction style. He was a forward-thinking, likeable instructor and was willing to share his knowledge and experience with his students.

Years of service: Taught 7 times in the last 10 years

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO member instructor

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Either

1988  Alfred Schimmel (2006)
1988  Julian Utevsky (2006)
1993  Thomas A. McManus (2024)
1993  Robert Osias (1998)
1996  Joseph J. Taggart (2020)
2003  David W. Briggs
2008  Thomas Frey
2013  John Zukowski
2015  Steve Ruelke
2016  Nathan Gabbert
2016  Anne Sapienza

2019  Cathy Conklin

2022  Teri Ross

2023  Donna Komor

2024  Warren J. Wheeler

IAO DISTINGUISHED ASSISTANCE AWARD

This award is presented to an Institute member who has provided the IAO with many years of distinguished assistance and whose proficiency, skill, and dedicated efforts have promoted the goals of the Institute.

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO Member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Active

1996  Nathaniel A. Jackson (2016)
1997  Thomas W. Masten

2023 James J. Molinaro, Jr.

JOHN C. GAMAGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

This award is presented to an active or retired member who, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, has demonstrated great personal and professional character and integrity, and who has been instrumental in the development, coordination, promotion, and delivery of the Institute’s education programs. Such persons shall have been a member of the Institute of Assessing Officers for at least ten years. (first offered 2015)

John C. Gamage was the commissioner of assessment for the City of Syracuse for 25 years. He opposed tax breaks for businesses and oversaw the city's first revaluation in six decades. John was the consummate professional who preferred to perform diligently in the background rather than be center stage. 

Qualities displayed: John was kind, humorous, helpful and, most of all, encouraging. John spurred colleagues to reach outside their comfort zone as he often did himself and challenged the status quo.

Years of service: At least 10 years

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Either

2015  Shirley Bement (2016)
2016  Larry Quinn

2017  Patricia McVee

2018  Deborah A. Eurich

2019  Lawrence G. Quinn

2020  David Clifford

2021  Brian Phelps

2022  J. Todd Wiley

2024  Anne Sapienza

JOHN E. WALSH PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE AWARD

This award is presented to a retired member or non-member who, in the opinion of the Board, has provided continued service to the Institute in the promotion of the goals of the IAO. 

John E. Walsh was the assessor for the City of Peekskill. Along with George J. Hill, he organized, implemented, and maintained a correspondence course for assessors.

Qualities displayed: John was instrumental in helping to further the goals of assessors and understood the difference between large and small jurisdictions and upstate/downstate issues. 

Years of service: At least 5 years

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO member or non-member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Retired

1988  Edwin R. Parkot (2005)
1988  John A. Stanwix
1993  Prof. Nelson Bills
1998  John Zukowski
2003  Stephen J. Harrison
2014  Fred Pask

JOHN F. ST. GEORGE AWARD

This award is presented to the author of the best original article written by a member of the NYSAA that was published in the IAO Journal in the past year. 

John F. St. George sat on the first IAO Board of Trustees, was awarded the Institute's second-ever Fellowship (FIAO), and was the first IAO Journal editor.

Qualities displayed: 

Years of service: N/A

Who can nominate: IAO members

Who can receive: Author of article published in IAO Journal in past year

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Either

1978  Nathaniel A. Jackson (2016)
1980  David A. Arlen
1982  Edwin R. Parkot (2005)
1986  Gregory D. Blaisdell (1992)
1990  Richard H. Hubner
1997  David W. Briggs
2009  Roger E. Tibbetts
2011  Nathan Gabbert

2023  Patrick Duffy

2024  Cristine DelFuoco
 

LAWRENCE D. BENTON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

This award is presented to an Institute member who has served with the IAO with many years of distinguished service and whose character, integrity, and skill have promoted the goals of the Institute. 

Lawrence D. Benton was the assessor for the Town of Newburgh and the first President of the Orange County Assessors Association. He was NYSAA President, Chairman of the IAO Trustees, Fellow of the Institute (FIAO), and Editor of the IAO Journal. He created and promoted the One-Day seminars. He strongly believed in professional development and worked with both the IAO and the SREA (Society of Real Estate Appraisers) to bring appraisal courses to New York State and the Hudson Valley. Larry promoted attaining professional designations and was a true motivator to Orange County assessors to obtain their IAO designation.

Qualities displayed: Larry was creative, forward-thinking, and a strong advocate for education. He was passionate about every aspect of the assessment profession and worked with others to achieve common goals.

Years of service: At least 5 years

Who can nominate: Anyone

Who can receive: IAO Member

Given to Active or Retired IAO Member: Either

1988  C. Warren Porth (1995)
1990  Donald P. Franklin (2005)
1991  Shirley D. Royak
1993  Margaret I. Ciamarra (2006)
1998  Michael J. Fogarty
1998  Elliot Glaser (2002)
1998  James H. Howarth
1998  Thomas A. McManus (2024)
1998  Robert Osias (1998)
1998  Joseph J. Taggart (2020)
2000  J. Craig Surprise
2006  Thomas O'Donnell (2020)
2009  Thomas Masten
2011  Anne Sapienza
2013  Mathew Joseph
2014  Deborah Eurich
2014  John Gamage (2015)
2016  Darren W. Colton

2017  Mario Arevalo

2019  J. Todd Wiley

2023 Timothy Sheares

2024  Colleen Adamec

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

FELLOW MEMBER

Fellowship shall be bestowed upon members in recognition of outstanding services to the profession or to the Institute. Fellowships shall be awarded only to members proposed by the Board of Trustees and approved by the membership.
1961  Joseph J. Lennox (1978)
1962  John F. St. George (1975)
1967  Arthur L. Bergren (1980)
1967  Alfred Schimmel (2006)
1971  Luke W. Pauly (1997)
1972  Douglas G. Cronk (2003)
1974  Julian Utevsky (2006)
1975  John H. Way (1983)
1980  George J. Hill (1986)
1981  Lawrence D. Benton (1989)
1982  C. Warren Porth (1995)
1985  Thomas G. Payne (2007)
1988  Joseph J. Taggart (2020)
1991  James H. Howarth
1992  Elliot Glaser (2002)
1996  Robert Osias (1998)
1998  Nathaniel A. Jackson (2016)
2000  Thomas A. McManus (2024)
2003  Michael J. Fogarty
2005  Richard H. Hubner
2007  Michael Spiegel (2023)
2008  Andrea Nilon
2012  Thomas Frey
2013  David W. Briggs
2014  Cathy L. Conklin

2015  Susan Otis

2018  Nathan Gabbert

2019  Roger Tibbetts

2022  Anne Sapienza

2024  Edye McCarthy

HONORARY MEMBER

This membership may be awarded to non-member persons of renown and distinction who, in the opinion of the Board, have made a major contribution to the advancement of the assessing profession, or have performed an unusual and valuable service to the Institute.
1961  Albert W. Noonan (1987)
1963  Joseph A. Coyle (2001)
1967  John H. Way (1983)
1967  John O. Johnsen
1967  Sanders A. Kahn (1987)
1976  Edward A. Lutz (1987)
1982  Stanley W. Warren (1994)
1998  Prof. Nelson Bills
2005  David Layne
2005  John Zukowski

LIFE MEMBER

Life membership may be awarded to members who retire from service and who, in the judgment of the Board, merit special recognition for valuable services. Such persons shall have been members for at least ten years, Charter Members, or chair of the Board of Trustees. It shall not be given to Fellow Members as Fellowships include life membership.
2000  Natale T. Amato (2012)
2000  Michael J. Fogarty
2000  William J. McIntyre, Jr. (2022)
2000  Margaret I. Iacomini (2006)
2003  Richard H. Hubner
2014  Shirley A. Bement (2016)