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 insure that these individuals 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.
Jeneen Hill, Chair, NYSAA Awards Committee, jhill@townofevans.org
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.
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
ASSESSORS PROFESSIONALISM AWARD
1998 Sally J. Vedder
1998 Thomas Frey, FIAO
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.
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
2019 Curtis J. Schoeberl
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.
2002 Robert C. Diener
2002 Senator William Larkin
2002 Assemblyman Paul Tonko
2004 Assemblyman Richard A. Smith
2004 Nelson Clayson
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
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.
1999 Margaret I. Iacomini, IAO (2006)
2001 Steven Currin
2002 Andrea Nilon, IAO
2004 Thomas Frey, IAO
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
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.
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.
1998 Maggie Klien, The Pelham Weekly
1999 The Time Herald Record (Middletown)
1999 Rich Newman
1999 Judy Rife, Times Herald-Record (Middletown)
2001 Greg Clary, The Journal News
2002 Brad Heath, Binghamton Press & Sun Times (Binghamton)
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)
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.
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.
2003 Susan C. Otis, IAO
2007 Mathew Joseph, IAO
2012 Cathy L. Conklin, IAO
2013 Coleen A. Adamec, IAO
2017 Scott Shedler, IAO
2018 Stephen Teele, IAO
NYSAA LIFE MEMBERSHIP
1998 Barbara Bounds
2004 Susan C. Otis, IAO
2005 J. Todd Wiley, IAO
2006 Patrick J. Duffy, IAO
2007 William D. Quick, IAO
2008 Larry Quinn, IAO
2009 Timothy Sheares, IAO
2010 Peggy Jenkins
2011 Christine Fusco
2012 Randall G. Holcomb, IAO
2012 Patricia A. Frey
2013 Denise J. Trudell, IAO
2014 Robert A. Criddle, IAO
2015 Paul Smith
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.
2004 Erie County Assessor's Association
2005 Ulster County Assessor's Association
2017 Westchester County Assessor's 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
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
2001 Patricia Frey
2002 J. Todd Wiley, IAO
2002 Curtis J. Schoeberl
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
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.
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, IAO
2017 Michelle Casandra
2018 Wayne Pickering, IAO
2019 Kandace S. Wittmeyer, SCAA
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