Award Criteria:
- An individual, group or government entity may be nominated for this award.
- This award recognizes outstanding commitment to improving the quality of community life in Virginia. The recipient of this award has established a reputation for exceptional community service.
- Through actions and words, the recipient must have made a discernible, sustainable positive impact on the quality of community life in Virginia that is applicable to other public service areas and communities.
For this award, community may be defined broadly and may recognize initiatives that benefit citizens of the entire commonwealth, or one county, town or city. Community is also defined as a population that is served regionally.
Nominators: Share examples of this nominee’s involvement in the community (professional and charitable organizations, etc.) and show how the nominee’s work has improved life for Virginians.
2023
Drive-To-Work
2022
Sacred Heart Center, Richmond
Executive Director Tanya Gonzalez (M.P.A. ‘17/GPA)
2020-21
Health Brigade
Karen Legato, Executive Director
2019
Goochland Central High School Committee
The Virginia Home
2016
Sergeant Carol Adams
Richmond Police Department
2015
Walter Segaloff, Founder
An Achievable Dream Academy Newport News
2014
Skip Skinner, Pace Lochte, Marcia Quesenberry, Co-Directors;
Suzanne Morse Moomaw, Academic Lead
The Appalachian Prosperity Project
2013
Cathy Walker, Special Education Teacher
The Thrifty Spot, Mathews County Public Schools
2012
Edward Welp, President
The Up Center
2011
T.K. Somanath, President and Chief Executive Officer
Better Housing Coalition – Lincoln Mews
2010
Paul Nichols, President and Chief Executive Officer
Virginia Advanced Study Strategies
2009
Susan B. Horne, President and Chief Executive Officer
LEAD Virginia
2008
Jesus Moreno, Executive Director
The Hispanic Committee of Virginia
2007
Edith R. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer
The Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project, Inc.
2006
Dr. Nelda K. Pearson, Executive Director
Beans and Rice, Inc.
2005
Barbara Fox Mason, Executive Director
Child & Family Network Centers, Alexandria
Named for two champions of civil rights, attorney Oliver Hill and Judge Spottswood Robinson.
- An individual may be nominated for this award.
- This award recognizes a sustained commitment to securing equal rights and justice for all people by empowering citizens.
- The recipient is widely recognized by his or her peers as possessing exceptional honor and integrity and as having made meritorious contributions to the security and well-being of others. Special consideration will be given to those nominees who have made a substantial contribution to advancing the freedoms protected under the Virginia Bill of Rights.
Nominators: Cite examples of how the nominee has worked to secure equal rights and justice for all people and their contribution to advancing the freedoms protected under the Virginia Bill of Rights.
2023
John V. Moeser, Ph.D.
Educator and scholar on race, government and politics
2022
Moton Museum of Farmville
Cameron Patterson, Executive Director
2020-21
Professor A.E. Dick Howard
UVA Law School
2019
Equality Virginia
Richmond
2016
Jack W. Gravely, Former President (awarded posthumously)
Virginia State Conference of the NAACP
2015
Julian Bond, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of History (awarded posthumously)
University of Virginia
2014
Raymond H. Boone, Sr., Editor and Publisher (awarded posthumously)
Richmond Free Press
2013
The Honorable Yvonne B. Miller, Senator (awarded posthumously)
Senate of Virginia
2011
The Honorable Leroy R. Hassell, Sr., Chief Justice (awarded posthumously)
Supreme Court of Virginia
2009
The Honorable Henry L. Marsh III, Senator
Senate of Virginia
2008
The Honorable A. Linwood Holton, Jr., Former Governor
Commonwealth of Virginia
2007
Frank Batten, Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Retired)
Landmark Communications, Inc.
2006
The Honorable Oliver W. Hill, The Honorable Spottswood W. Robinson III
*Expansion of Freedom Award henceforth named for Hill and Robinson*
2005
Robert J. Grey, Jr.
Partner, Hunton & Williams
Past President, American Bar Association
- An individual, organization or government entity may be nominated for this award.
- This award recognizes the recipient’s innovative work has resulted in increased efficiency, effectiveness, or other improvements that affect how a government entity performs, in support of, or in delivery of service to, its constituents.
- The reforms introduce a unique and fundamental change in governance, policy, problem-solving, technology or other operational element within the scope of the recipient’s mission or responsibilities.
- The reforms must address an important public need and produce meaningful change within an organization or for constituents within a community.
Nominators: Describe how the nominee’s innovative reforms have resulted in increased efficiency and effectiveness in how a government entity performs in delivery and support of service to its constituents.
2023
“Work and Play Stations"
Henrico County Public Library’s Fairfield Area Library
2022
Danville Police Department
Scott Booth, Chief
2020-21
The Department of Juvenile Justice
Valerie Boykin, Director
2019
The Virginia Treasury, in partnership with Qlarion
2016
Vital Records at DMV
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and
Virginia Department of Health Division of Vital Records
2014
Daniel Timberlake, Director
Virginia Department of Planning and Budget
2013
“Virginia Values Veterans”
Paul E. Galanti, Commissioner
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
2012
“My Business Starts Here”
Chesterfield County Public Library, and
Chesterfield County Economic Development Department
2011
“The Virginia Education Wizard”
Virginia Community College System
2009
“Council on Virginia’s Future”
Jane N. Kusiak, Executive Director
John O. Wynne, Vice Chair
2008
Todd Christensen, Deputy Director
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and
The Crooked Road
2007
The Honorable Viola O. Baskerville, Secretary of Administration, eVA
The Honorable Sandra D. Bowen, former Secretary of Administration, eVA
The Honorable G. Bryan Slater, former Secretary of Administration, eVA
Virginia Department of General Services
CGI
2006
Deborah D. Oswalt, Executive Director
Virginia Health Care Foundation
2005
Dr. Richard P. Kern, Director
Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission
- An individual may be nominated for this award.
- This award recognizes an individual Virginian whose career represents the highest values of public service and citizenship and who has made substantial contributions to the good of the commonwealth.
- The recipient must be an individual whose personal or professional contributions span a minimum of 20 years.
- The recipient must also be a resident of Virginia.
- Potential areas of influence may include: elected office, lobbying, policy implementation, technology, education, law enforcement, urban/regional planning, public administration or government service.
Nominators: Describe the nominee’s substantial contributions in the potential areas of elected office, lobbying,policy implementation, technology, education, law enforcement, urban/regional planning, public administration, or government service.
2023
The Honorable Charles S. Robb
United States senator and the 64th governor of Virginia
2022
Florence Neal Cooper Smith
Community Activist
2020-21
The Honorable Robert C. Scott
U.S. Congressman, Virginia Third District
2019
Grace E. Harris, Ph.D. (posthumously)
Virginia Commonwealth University
2015
William C. “Bill” Shelton, Director
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
2014
John P. Thomas, Ph.D., Executive Director
University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Policy
2013
The Honorable Lacey E. Putney, Delegate, 19th District
Virginia House of Delegates
2012
Virgil R. Hazelett, County Manager
Henrico County
2011
Susan Clarke Schaar, Clerk
Senate of Virginia
2010
Philip A. Leone, Director (Retired)
Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission
2009
John T. Casteen III, Ph.D., President, University of Virginia
Patricia P. Cormier, Ph.D., President, Longwood University
Eddie N. Moore, Jr., President, Virginia State University
Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., President Emeritus, Virginia Commonwealth University
2008
Susan Aheron Magill, Former Chief of Staff to Senator John Warner
Senate of Virginia
2007
Robert G. Templin, Jr., President
Northern Virginia Community College
2006
Paul W. Timmreck, Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration (Retired)
Virginia Commonwealth University
2005
Richard D. Brown, Director
Virginia Department of Planning and Budget
- An individual, business, local or state government agency or other entity may be nominated.
- This award recognizes the recipient’s inventive creation or maintenance of a successful public-private partnership which has delivered a measurable improvement in public service resulting in lower cost, improved quality, or greater efficiency for citizens.
- The partnership can involve a new way of offering existing services, but must either be the first example in Virginia of a public-private partnership offering its particular service, or must be able to demonstrate unsurpassed efficiency and ingenuity within the nominee’s practice or service area.
- The partnership program receiving this award must have been fully operational for at least one year.
- The successful nominee must be committed to fiscal responsibility and sustainability in an effort to maintain its own operation, and must be able to provide tangible evidence of constituent satisfaction.
Nominators: Describe the organization of the partnership and its desired outcome. Please describe the achievements (actual outcomes) of the partnership. Emphasize measurable impact, for example: how many people did the partnership serve? How many dollars did they save or raise?
2023
Military Medics and Corpsmen Program
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
2022
Grayson County with Appalachian Power and GigaBeam Networks
2020-21
Virginia Housing
Susan Dewey, CEO
2019
Virginia Department of Corrections with Johnson Controls and the
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) James River Chapter
2016
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
Virginia Department of Transportation
2015
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute
2014
The Honorable Matthew James, President and CEO
Shawn Avery, Former Vice President
Peninsula Council for Workforce Development
2013
Tony Kinn, Executive Director
Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships
2012
David Lohr, President and Executive Director
Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing
2011
“Virginia’s Region 2000 Partnership”
Bryan David, Executive Director
Economic Development Council
2010
Diana F. Cantor, Esq., Founding Executive Director
Mary G. Morris, CEO
Virginia College Savings Plan
2009
Mark A. Crabtree, D.D.S., President, Piedmont VA Dental Health Foundation
Gordon Green, M.D., Director, West Piedmont Health District, Virginia Department of
Health
Kim Isringhausen, Director of Preceptorship Programs, VCU School of Dentistry
Kathy Lawson, Mayor, City of Martinsville
Paul B. Toms, Jr. President, Harvest Foundation; Chairman and CEO, Hooker Furniture
2008
Sarah Hopkins Finley, Executive Director
The Virginia Council on Economic Education
2007
“Pocahontas Parkway Project”
The Honorable Pierce R. Homer, Secretary of Transportation
David S. Ekern, Transportation Commissioner
Deborah Brown, Director, Innovative Finance and Revenue Operations
Virginia Department of Transportation
Michael Kulper, Senior Vice President North America
Ken Daley, Senior Vice President, International Development
Michael Whelan, Vice President, Regional Operations Manager
Transurban LLC
2006
“Fredericksburg Public-Private Education Facilities & Infrastructure Act
Project”
Beverly R. Cameron, Assistant City Manager, City of Fredericksburg
Dale Sander, Superintendent, City of Fredericksburg School Board
Bob Mills, President, Moseley Architects
A. Douglas Dalton, President, English Construction Co., Inc.
2005
The Honorable Walter A. Stosch, Senator
Senate of Virginia
- The Unsung Heroes Award recognizes an individual Virginian who has provided distinguished and exceptional service as a career government employee in the commonwealth, with local or state government.
- The recipient must have significant longevity of public service to the commonwealth.
- The recipient must be a resident of Virginia.
Nominators: In what way has the nominee provided distinguished and exceptional service? How have they made an impact through their work?
2023
Rebecca Gwynn
Assistant Deputy Director, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
2022
Betty Mattice
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
2020-21
Cristina Dominguez Ramirez
Henrico County Libraries
2019
Joseph A. Vass
Capitol Police
2016
Jon Hatfield, Executive Director (Retired)
Virginia War Memorial
2015
Joyce Walton, Special Assistant (Retired)
Office of the Governor
2014
Martin “Tutti” Townes, Head Butler
Executive Mansion
2013
Steven H. “Steve” Falden, Administrative & Program Specialist
Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute
2012
Stuart Blackwell, Grounds Supervisor
Virginia State Capitol
2011
Tedd E. Povar, Associate Director
Virginia Institute of Government
2010
Arthur N. Bowen III, Managing Director of Finance & Administration
Virginia Housing and Development Authority
2009
Randall E. Arno, Director
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
2008
Brenda Edwards, Senior Research Associate
Virginia Division of Legislative Services
2007
William Hart Gillette, Agriculture Business Manager
Virginia Department of Corrections
Named after the late Dr. Grace E. Harris, a trailblazer who broke down many barriers as an African-American woman and whose vision and leadership had tremendous impact at VCU, in the community and beyond. Harris believed, “As citizens of the community, we have a responsibility to make changes where changes are obviously needed.”
- An individual may be nominated for this award.
- This award recognizes an individual who has made a discernible, sustainable positive impact on the quality of life in Virginia through public service.
- The recipient is widely recognized by his or her peers as an extraordinary collaborator, who possesses exceptional honor and integrity.
- This award recognizes an individual Virginian whose career represents the highest values of public service and citizenship and who has made a substantial contribution to the good of the commonwealth and the community.
Nominators: Share examples of this nominee’s leadership and vision in professional and charitable work that has improved life for Virginians.
2023
Angela Patton
CEO, Girls For A Change
2022
All Saints Catholic School, Richmond
2020-21
John C. Purnell, Jr.
Retired Executive Director, Friends Association
2015
Virginia Department of General Services
For a comprehensive plan to communicate essential information about the 2015 UCI Road
World Championships
2014
William H. Chapman, Executive Director and Producer
The Richmond Forum
2012
Bobbie G. Kilberg, President and Chief Operations Officer
Josh Levi, Vice President for Policy
Northern Virginia Technology Council
2006
David M. Poole, Executive Director
Virginia Public Access Project
2005
“The Virginia School Report Card”
The Honorable Peter A. Blake, Secretary of Education
The Honorable Wilbert Bryant, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education
Programs
Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary, Superintendent of Public Instruction
Virginia Department of Education
2022
Sofia Simmons
Kylie Stottlemyer
2021
Gabrielle McGeachy
Taylor Fletcher
2020
Nadya Syazsa
Summer Morris
2018
Suparna Dutta
Myles Robinson
2017
Jacqueline L. Mashburn
Michael Handwerker
2016
Dhara M. Amin
Axana Soltan Mohammad
2015
Steven T. Keener
Kayla K. DeNapoli
2014
Mona H. Siddiqui
Sean T. Bowles
2013
Grant E. Rissler
Daniel B. Ku
2012
Paul Connet
Mario Wells
2011
David "Jonathan" Kinsey
Krina A. Patel
2010
Mark T. Klein
Kierra L. Gambrell
2009
Megan Samford
John Wilson
2008
Raymond D. Barefoot
Susan Donovan
Keith C. Rogers, Jr.
Matthew J. Weaver
2007
Rebecca Imholt
Kelly Kinahan
Alicia Roberts
Mitchell Smiley