Volunteer and Partnership Award Recipients

 

The strength of the ATA comes from the passion and dedication of its members, volunteers and partners. Each year at the Annual Meeting, ATA Staff and Board Members award individuals who’s service and commitment has had a significant impact on the Arizona Trail.

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

2023

Jan Hancock

A striking woman with dark hair standing next to a horse

Jan Hancock

Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

With appreciation for your decades of service to support the mission and vision of the Arizona Trail Association, and to help build the Arizona Trail into a world class resource that positively impacts the lives of all who experience it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Mark Flint

A man with a grey beard and a bucket hat standing in the desert

Mark Flint

Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

With appreciation for your decades of service to support the mission and vision of the Arizona Trail Association, and to help build the Arizona Trail into a world class resource that positively impacts the lives of all who experience it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Ali Ayers

A woman in a black fleece with glasses and brown hair holding an award

Ali Ayers

Outstanding Agency Partner Award 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Angie Abel

A woman in a blue puffy vest and a small smile holding an award

Angie Abel

Outstanding Agency Partner Award 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail on the Payson Ranger District.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Charles Neal

Two men standing in front of a desert image holding an award plaque

Charles Neal and VETS Coordinator Michael “Chappy” Chappell

Trail Advocacy & Conservation Award 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


John Yazzie

A man in a yellow hard hat holding a tool in the forest

John Yazzie, Jr.

Outstanding Stewardship 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving Passage 31 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail

 

 

 

 

 

 


Alex Derr

A man in glasses and a black jacket and a black knit cap standing in a sunlit forest

Alex Derr

Outstanding Stewardship 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving Passage 23 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Jane Hiscox

A woman with short white hair in a puffy jacket standing in a forested campsite

Jane Hiscox

Outstanding Volunteer 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail and being an exemplary representative of the trail community

 

 

 

 

 


Stephen Brown

A man with close-shaved hair and beard and a woman with short curly hair and a scarf in an office, holding a wood plaque

Stephen Brown and Volunteer Prog. Mgr. Wendy Lotze

Outstanding Volunteer 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail and being an exemplary representative of the trail community

 

 

 

 

 

 


Steve Linton

Steve Linton (center) with ATA Staff members Olivia Woods and Rosi Green

Outstanding Volunteer 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail and being an exemplary representative of the trail community

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Kathleen Bober

Kathleen Bober

Outstanding Volunteer 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona

National Scenic Trail and supporting a variety of activities that benefit the trail and trail community.

 

 

 

 

 


Gordon Hall

An older gentleman with silver hair in a buttondown shirt holding an award plaque

Gordon Hall

Outstanding Volunteer 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail and being an exemplary representative of the trail community

 

 

 

 

 

 


Armando “Mando” Gonzales

Outstanding Volunteer 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail


Matt and Maria Moore

A couple standing in front of a desert backdrop holding a wooden plaque

Matt and Maria Moore

Outstanding Volunteers 2023

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail and being an exemplary representative of the trail community

 

 

 

 

 

 



2020

Steve Anderson and Jan Hancock

Steve Anderson

Lifetime Achievement Award 2020

With profound appreciation for your 25 years of service to the Arizona Trail Association. Your leadership and vision have significantly contributed to the Arizona National Scenic Trail and all the lives it enriches.

 

 

 


Brady VanDragt

Brady VanDragt

Agency Partner Award 2020

With gratitude for your commitment to improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District through support of the Happy Jack Singletrack Project. Our greatest enhancement to the Arizona Trail would not have happened without you.

 

 

Rose Harley and Rob Mason

Rose Harley

Agency Partner Award 2020

With gratitude for your commitment to improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District through support of the Happy Jack Singletrack Project. Our greatest enhancement to the Arizona Trail would not have happened without you.

 

 

 


Toyota Tacoma donated by Valley Toyota Dealers

Jay Carley & Valley Toyota Dealers

Business Partner Award 2020

With appreciation for your outstanding support of the Arizona Trail Association. Your generous donations over the past eight years support our mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the land.

 

 


Atlas Guides

Business Partner Award 2020

With gratitude for your support of the Arizona Trail Association through development of the single most effective navigational and public information resource for those who hike, run and ride on the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 

 

 

 


Mountain Bike Association of Arizona

Legacy Partner Award 2020

With appreciation for your many years of generous support of the Arizona Trail Association and our mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the land. With your help we continually improve the AZT as a world class resource for two-wheeled adventurers

 

 


Rodo Sofranac and Susan Lagerman

Rodo Sofranac

Trailblazer Award 2020

With gratitude for your passion to help promote the Arizona National Scenic Trail, encourage youth to explore this wonderful natural resource and become its stewards, and for motivating others to give generously and raise funds in support of our mission.

 

 

 


Daniel Snyder, Steve Anderson and Wendy Lotze

Daniel Snyder

Outstanding Stewardship Award 2020

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in supporting the Arizona Trail Association. Your involvement in the Trail Steward, Trail Operations & Seeds of Stewardship programs are vital to the success of the organization and have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of all those who spend time on the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 


Tasha Pontifex

Tasha Pontifex

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2020

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail, and for being an exemplary steward and representative of the Arizona Trail Association.

 

 

 

 

 



2019

Francisco Valenzuela and Pablo Burghard

 

 

Pablo Burghard

Lifetime Achievement Award 2019

With profound appreciation for your many years of service to the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Your leadership, vision and belief in the conservation corps model has significantly contributed to the Arizona Trail and all the lives it enriches.


 

Kent Taylor and Jana Randall

Jana Randall & REI Co-op

Legacy Partner Award 2019

With appreciation for your years of outstanding support of the Arizona Trail Association’s Trail Operations, Volunteer & Youth Outreach programs. We couldn’t fulfill our mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail without you!

 

 

 

 


Brandee Lepak

Brandee Lepak

Outstanding Youth Partner Award 2019

With appreciation for your support of the Gear Girls program and your dedication to excellence in youth cycling and outdoor leadership in Arizona. Your commitment to providing opportunities to the young women of Northern Arizona helps inspire the next generation of outdoor leaders and stewards of our trails and public lands.


Susan Lagerman and Brady VanDragt

Brady VanDragt

Outstanding Agency Partner Award 2019

With appreciation for your unwavering support of the Happy Jack Singletrack Project on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, and your genuine love for the Arizona Trail.

 

 

 

 


Jan Hancock and Roger Smith

 

Roger Smith

Outstanding Stewardship Award 2019

With gratitude for your time, talent & passion to help protect, maintain, and enhance the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Your commitment to the spring restoration project in the Mazatzal Mountains will be remembered for generations.

 

 


Kent Taylor and Donovan Wood

Donovan Wood

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2019

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 

 

 

 


Terry Higbee

Terry Higbee

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2019

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in supporting the Arizona Trail Association’s volunteer program – a core component in maintaining and sustaining the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 

 

 

 


Sandy Fortner

Sandy Fortner

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2019

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in supporting the trail community on the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 



2018

Larry Snead and Bernie Stalmann

Bernie Stalmann

Lifetime Achievement Award 2018

With profound appreciation for your many years of service to the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Your leadership, vision and energy have significantly contributed to the development of the trail and the success of the organization.

 

 

 

 

 


Gary Faulkenberry

Gary Faulkenberry

Outstanding Partner Award 2018

With appreciation for your support of trail improvement projects, volunteerism and special events within Oracle State Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Kinsey 5th Grade Team

Outstanding Youth Partner Award 2018

With appreciation for your support of the Seeds of Stewardship program and your dedication to excellence in place-based & experiential education within the Flagstaff Unified School District. Your commitment to providing opportunities to the youth of Northern Arizona helps inspire the next generation of stewards of public lands.

Steve & Anna Coleman

Outstanding Youth Partner Award 2018

With appreciation for your support of the Seeds of Stewardship program and your dedication to excellence in place-based & experiential education within the community of Patagonia. Your commitment to providing opportunities to the youth of Southern Arizona helps inspire the next generation of stewards of public lands.


Bill Hiscox

Bill Hiscox

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2018

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Rob Mason and Richard Duerden

Richard Duerden

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2018

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Ellen Shopes and Larry Smikins

Ellen Shopes & Larry Simkins

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2018

With gratitude for your outstanding contributions to the Arizona Trail Association through volunteerism, photography, outreach & general love for the AZT.

 

 

 


Rob Bauer

Rob Bauer

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2018

With gratitude for your time, talent & passion to help protect, maintain, and enhance the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

 

 

 

 



2017

Larry Snead

Lifetime Achievement Award 2017

With profound appreciation for your many years of service to the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Your leadership, vision and energy have significantly contributed to the development of the trail and the success of the organization.


Eric Hiser

Outstanding Leadership Award 2017

With gratitude for your many years of leadership in helping the Arizona Trail Association fulfill its mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona National Scenic Trail as a unique encounter with the land.


Sean Murphy

Outstanding Partner Award 2017

With appreciation for your support of the Seeds of Stewardship program. Your commitment to providing opportunities to the youth of Northern Arizona helps to inspire the next generation of stewards of public lands.


Mila Besich-Lira

Community Partner Award 2017

With appreciation for your outstanding support of the Arizona National Scenic Trail in Superior and the Copper Corridor Communities.


Roger Smith

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2017

With appreciation for your extraordinary efforts in maintaining and improving the Arizona National Scenic Trail.


Matthew Roberts and Mark Loseth

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2017

With gratitude for your outstanding contributions to the Trail Skills Institute and the Arizona National Scenic Trail.



2016

Pioneer Title Agency

Outstanding Partner Award 2016

With profound appreciation for including the Arizona Trail in your 30th anniversary celebration and accomplishing the amazing goals of covering every mile of trail and raising over $45,000 to support the maintenance and protection of the Arizona National Scenic Trail.


Steve Anderson and Pima County

Trail Safety Award 2016

With profound appreciation for your commitment to the safety of Arizona Trail users along the Rincon Valley Passage of the Arizona National Scenic Trail through the installation of a railroad canopy, road signs and user-activated signal near Three Bridges.


Jim & Carol McFadden

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2016

With profound appreciation for being outstanding representatives of the Gateway Community of Flagstaff, Arizona Trail Day Organizers, Trail Stewards and numerous other contributions to the Arizona National Scenic Trail.


Andrea Michaels

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2016

For your dedication and determination in maintaining and protecting the Arizona National Scenic Trail your contributions as a Trail Steward, Trainer, Presenter, Fundraiser, Advocate & Stalwart Enthusiast are appreciated by all who are fortunate to have worked with you, and countless others you may never have met but whose lives are positively affected by your love for the Arizona Trail.


John Matteson

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2016

For your dedication and determination in maintaining and protecting the Arizona National Scenic Trail.


Craig Gregory

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2016

For your dedication and determination in maintaining and protecting the Arizona National Scenic Trail.


Elisabeth Wheeler

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2016

For your dedication and determination in maintaining and protecting the Arizona National Scenic Trail.