Awards

2023 Charles R. Hook Award

This award is designed to recognize the Junior Achievement USA Area President who best represents Junior Achievement USA professionalism. Basic criteria for the award are:

• JA Area President must have completed seven years of service in JA by the end of the fiscal year being judged.
• JA Area President must have served a minimum of five years as a President in current JA Area.
• JA Area that the President has led for the past fiscal year must have earned a JA USA 4 or 5 Star Award.
• JA Area Presidents are eligible to receive the Hook Award more than once in the same JA Area. However, there will be a five year period prior to their next year of eligibility.

An awards committee will assemble prior to the National Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado to determine the recipient of this year's Charles R. Hook Award.

Charles R. Hook

The founders of Junior Achievement are the only group that has contributed more to JA's growth and development than Charles R. Hook.

Hook was introduced to Junior Achievement when, as a president of the U.S. National Association of Manufacturers, he spoke to Achievers in New York in 1938. This led him to host a breakfast meeting of 750 top business people at the Waldorf-Astoria in December of 1941, which launched the original JA Company Program on a national scale in the U.S.A.

Beginning as an office boy in a small steel mill plant in 1898, Hook moved rapidly through the ranks, becoming president of Armco Steel of Middletown, Ohio, in 1930. He was elected chairman of the board of directors of Armco in 1948.

During his long association with Junior Achievement, Hook was personally responsible for the establishment of many new JA Areas. It was his vision and foresight that led the organization to become an international force for free enterprises.

For more than a quarter-century, Hook served on the U.S. Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Junior Achievement Inc. He also provided leadership to the organization as U.S. national board chair for many years.

The Charles R. Hook Award was established to recognize a JA Area President whose outstanding performance contributed to the growth and development of the organization.

The Charles R. Hook Award, and engraved sterling silver bowl, is presented annually at the Junior Achievement USA National Leadership conference.

Past Recipients

2022

Richard George, JA of Tampa Bay

2019

Joseph Peri, JA of New York

2018

Tera Norris, Junior Achievement of Lincoln

2017

Jack Harris, JA of Georgia

2016

Lou Golden, JA of Southwest New England

2015

Lori Jacob, JA of Greater St. Louis

2014

Catherine Milone, JA of New Jersey

2013

Rick Franke, JA of Southeast Texas

2012

Gina Blayney, JA of the Upper Midwest

2011

Christine E. H. Landa, JA of Eastern Iowa

2010

Tim Greinert, JA of Wisconsin

2009

Joyce Richards, JA of Arizona

2008

Kristie Fiegen, JA of South Dakota

2007

William C. Coderre, III, JA of Michigan Great Lakes

2006

Robin H. Wise, JA - Rocky Mountain

2005

Gary W. Hickman, JA of Southern California

2004

Donna Buchanan, JA of Georgia

2003

Sandy L. Daffé, JA of Chicago

2002

Richard George, JA of West Central Florida

2001

Tom Dewar, JA of Southeastern Michigan

2000

Linda Rimer, JA of South Texas

1999

S. Lee Strayer, JA of Southwest Pennsylvania

1998

Gail D. Yates, JA of Arizona

1997

Douglas E. Schallau, JA of New York

1996

Jack E. Kosakowski, JA of Wisconsin

1995

Peter V. Curcio, JA of Delaware Valley

1994

James P. Dieleman, JA of Michigan Great Lakes

1993

Kenneth E. Wasoba, JA of Southern Colorado

1992

J. Scott Riddile, III, JA of Central Florida

1991

John O. Dickinson, JA of Chicago

1990

Jerry V. Mutchler, JA of Southeast Texas

1989

James R. Perrin, Jr., JA of Memphis and the Mid-South

1988

Lynn D. Curtis, JA of Rocky Mountain

1987

M. Allen Kirtley, JA of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1986

Robert R. Wells, JA of Northern Indiana

1985

Terence Jarchow, JA of the Mississippi Valley

1984

Donald T. Floyd, Jr., JA of New York

1983

Ronald D. Cody, JA of the Upper Midwest

1982

William Raymond, JA of Southeast Michigan

1981

John O. Dickinson, JA of Chicago

1980

Jack Holladay, JA of the National Capital Area

1979

Michael H. Davison, JA of Dallas

1978

Ronald D. Cody, JA of the Upper Midwest

1977

Mike Wilson, JA of Middle America

1975

Karl Flemke, JA of Southern California

1974

Gilbert P. Folleher, JA of Greater Puget Sound

1973

Paul Fry, JA of Central Maryland

1972

David Hicks, JA of Central Indiana

1971

Jerry Bartholomay, JA of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1970

Karl Flemke, JA of Southwestern Pennsylvania

1969

Thomas H. Rutter, JA of Northwestern Ohio

1968

Wilson R. Schwenk, JA of Mississippi Valley

1967

J.D. Thomas, JA of Southeast Texas

1966

Perley M. Leighton, JA of Western Connecticut

2023 Flemke Achievement Award

The Flemke Achievement Award is named in honor of Karl Flemke, who served as the national president and CEO of JA from 1982 until his death in 1994. This award recognizes significant achievements and contributions of a first time area president with no less than two and no more than four years of service in his or her current position. Additionally, candidates must pre-certify for the Star Award.

This award was developed and is presented by the JA Staff Alumni Network and consists of a crystal triangle and $1,000. The recipient is selected by a group comprised of JA Area presidents, JA USA staff, and members of the JA Staff Alumni Network.

Past Recipients

2022

Dougal Nelson, JA of the Heartland

2019

Paula Dawson, JA of Acadiana

2018

Drew Martin, JA of South Central Kentucky

2017

Megan Sturges Stanfield, JA of Greater Kansas City

2016

Tom VanderMolen, JA of Southwest Michigan

2015

Julie O'Meara, JA of Idaho

2014

Becky Doumaux, JA of Central Pennsylvania

2013

Dawn Campanelli, JA of East Central Ohio

2012

Theo Boots, JA of SW Indiana

2011

Jack Harris, JA of Georgia

2010

Linda McCracken, JA of Northern California

2009

Lori Jacob, JA of Greater St. Louis

2008

Dan Douglas, JA of West Kentucky

2007

Larry Timm, JA of Central Illinois

2006

Christy Kunz, JA of the Heartland

2005

Joanne Pastula, JA of San Diego

2004

Deborah Dingwall, JA of Southwest Michigan

2003

Mario Burgos, JA of New Mexico

2002

Lyn Buckler-Bergdoll, JA of South Central Pennsylvania

2001

David Moore, JA of Washington

2000

Shannan Beeler, JA of Oklahoma

1999

Sandy L. Daffé, JA of Chicago

1998

Gina Blayney, JA of the Heartland

1997

Kari Kolman, JA of Greater Cleveland

1996

Patricia Fedorkowicz, JA of New Jersey

1995

Jeffrey Musser, JA of Central Maryland

1994

Linda Claflin, JA of South Texas

2023 JA MVP Award

Purpose

In Junior Achievement the way we conduct our business is just as important as achieving our operational goals. The JA MVP – Model of Values Professional Award was established to reinforce the importance of living our values. JA associates must exemplify values and behaviors that provide the model for the students we serve and assure JA a place as a business to be respected in every community where JA has a presence. The recipients of this award will serve as role models and examples of the best of Junior Achievement citizens, partners and colleagues.

Criteria

Recipients of the JA MVP Award will consistently demonstrate the following JA Values Based Behaviors which are the basis of the criteria for nominations.

• Passion for the Mission
• Values and Respects Others
• Honesty and Integrity
• Commitment to Excellence
• Team Orientation and Collaboration
• Customer Satisfaction and Delight
• Adaptability
• Results Orientation

Past Recipients

2022

Amy Dauer, JA of Greater Kansas City

Sara Dziuk, JA North

Resa Kirchhevel, JA of South Dakota

2021

Soumaya Arabi, JA of Southeastern Michigan

Elizabeth Clements, JA of Arizona

Sara Logar, JA USA

2019

Michelle Anderson, JA of Maine

Tami Godsey, JA USA

2018

Lisa Frye, JA USA

Erin K. Kurt, JA of Eastern Iowa

2016

Jackie S. Dant, JA USA

LaChelle Williams, JA of the Upper Midwest

2023 Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award was created in 2004 to recognize JA staff professionals who have excelled in their role and are considered "Rising Stars" of the organization. The future of JA is entrusted to emerging leaders that we identify and develop. These individuals demonstrate a commitment to the success of JA and accept increasingly important leadership roles within JA. Staff members who have shown leadership within their JA community and perform their duties at the highest level are nominated by their JA Area Presidents for this prestigious award.

Past Recipients

2022

Dena Kidd, JA of Arizona

Jennie Masuch, JA of Greater Kansas City

Courtney Miller, JA of Memphis and the Mid-South

Olivier Millour, JA of Tampa Bay

2021

Robyn Brown, JA of Oklahoma

Ruby Damian, JA of Northern California

Nicole Diorio, JA of Southwest New England

Ashley Donecker, JA of New Jersey

Kyle Redner, JA of Georgia

Jalissa Wilson, JA of Southeast Texas

2019

Patty Lalonde, JA of Southeast Texas

Abigail M. Phillips, JA of South Central Kentucky

Carrie Pontzius, JA of Eastern Iowa

2018

Alicia Fusco, JA of New Jersey

Alison Gottsch-Walton, JA of Lincoln

Ryan Purser, JA of Southeast Texas

Callie Tincher, JA of the Bluegrass

2017

Julian Arias, JA of Georgia

Cynthia Pantaleo, JA of Central Virginia

Evan Simmons, JA of Abilene

Kaitlyn Smith, JA of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast

2016

Sarah Dohl, JA of Greater Washington

Rishabh Kashyap, JA of New York

Kristy Knecht, JA of Utah

Taylor Vogelsang, JA of Tampa Bay

2015

Michelle Green, JA of East Texas

Kim McGrigg, JA - Rocky Mountain

Jessica States, JA of Lincoln

Laura Yohe, JA of Southeastern Pennsylvania

2014

Rachel Elizabeth Dyer, JA of Middle Tennessee

Crystal Law, JA of New Jersey

Larry Washington, JA of South Texas

Robert A. Zaremberg, JA of Western Pennsylvania

2013

Alyssa Andis, JA of Central Indiana

Felan Link, JA of South Dakota

Lisa Metzger, JA of the Upper Midwest

Alex Rolfsen, JA of Tampa Bay

2012

Amy Boardman, JA of SW Indiana

Catherine Pulver, JA of Rochester

Kyle Stables, JA of Southeast Texas

Meaghan Sullivan, JA - Rocky Mountain

2011

Callie Archer, JA of East Tennessee

Amanda Campbell-Riddle,

Resa Kirchhevel, JA of South Dakota

Jeremy Race, JA of Southwest New England

2010

Sara Dziuk, JA North

Erin K. Kurt, JA of Eastern Iowa

LeAnne Shockley, JA of Western Kentucky

2008

Sara Brigger, JA of the Upper Midwest

Laura Goodman, JA of South Central Kentucky

Kelli Johns, JA of Lincoln

Kyle Johnson, JA of Michigan Great Lakes

Melissa Turlip, JA of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Jennifer Venerable, JA - Rocky Mountain

2007

Tawnya Hambly, JA of the Heartland

Jenny Senter, JA of the Chisholm Trail

Stephanie Stuckey, JA of Greater South Carolina

Bernadine Venditto, JA of Greater Fairfield County

2006

Jennifer Amodt, JA of Central Florida

Perry Bacon, JA of Delaware

Amy Fisher, JA of Chicago

Jacqui Pernicano, JA of San Diego & Imperial County

2005

Carrie Hanson, JA - Rocky Mountain

Roslyn Hooks, JA of Southwest New England

Katie Keane, JA USA

Julie O'Connor, JA of North Florida

2004

Mark Fiore, JA USA

2023 Service Awards

40 Years of Service

William C. Coderre, III
JA of Michigan Great Lakes

30 Years of Service

Joseph Burke
JA of Southeast Texas

Cathy Salley
JA of Tri-Cities

25 Years of Service

Shannan Beeler
JA of Oklahoma

Erica Irvine
JA of Oklahoma

Paul Kappel, Jr.
JA of Central Maryland

Debbie L. Merchant
JA of South Texas

Debbie Weierbach
JA of Oklahoma

Rachael Winebrenner
JA of Southeast Texas

20 Years of Service

Stephen M. Hilker
JA of Northern Indiana

Tiffany Mays
JA of Chicago

Annette McClellan
JA of Greater St. Louis

Maureen O'Leary Brown
JA of Greater Cleveland

Andy Schenck
JA USA

Mark J. Taghon
JA of the Heartland

Tracy Weatherbee
JA of North Central Ohio

Laura Yohe
JA of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Betsi Zikmund
JA of S. Central Pennsylvania

15 Years of Service

Callie Archer
JA of East Tennessee

Gerri Brodman
JA of Eastern North Carolina

Forte Brown
JA of Sacramento

Debra Byrd
JA of Greater St. Louis

Dawn M. Chiuchiolo
JA of New York

June DeBaillon
JA of Acadiana

Todd Halvorson
JA of Northern California

Lynne Henderson
JA of East Texas

Brian Jackson
JA of Oklahoma

Kristy Knecht
JA of Utah

Diana Metcalf
JA of South Florida

Renee Penney
JA of Chattanooga

Susan Peterson
JA of Wisconsin

Tracie Roberson
JA of Greater St. Louis

Mary Lou Robinson
JA of Oklahoma

Maria Ryan
JA of East Tennessee

Niambi Sampson
3DE

Hector Sanchez
JA of Chicago

Anna Sawyer
JA of Kentuckiana

Mari Stein
JA of Wisconsin

Janice Sutera
JA of South Dakota

Monica Telschow
JA of the Heartland

10 Years of Service

Ashley Adamson
JA of Northern Indiana

Sam Alpert
JA of Arizona

Courtney Azuike
JA of Southeast Texas

Autumne A. Baker
JA of West Kentucky

Kristi Brown
JA of Eastern Iowa

Meg Chapman
JA USA

Deb Dimberg
JA of Wisconsin

Sally Jo Eastman
JA of Central Illinois

Linda Elias
JA of Greater St. Louis

Jonayé Ford
JA of Central Maryland

Gina Jemay Griffin
JA of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast

Caitlin Hennessy
JA of Washington

Krystal Hernandez
JA of Southern Colorado

Tammy Joefreda
JA of Northern Indiana

Margaret Jones
JA of Arizona

Andrea Lamphere
JA of Tampa Bay

Niesha Lawler-Okonkwo
JA of Delaware

Lisa Maahs
JA of Wisconsin

Monica McNerney
JA of South Florida

Elisa Molina
JA of Georgia

Kelsey Noroski
JA - Rocky Mountain

Amanda O'Donnell
JA of Greater St. Louis

Cynthia Pantaleo
JA of Central Virginia

Wendy Patzlaff
JA North

Mary Pille
JA of Central Illinois

Ryan Purser
JA of Southeast Texas

Mary Reinhard
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Sheri Robbins
JA of Georgia

Amanda N. Salvaticus
JA of Georgia

Maria Torbit
JA of Southeast Texas

Roxanne Van Loon
JA of Wisconsin

Shelly Warner
JA of Greater St. Louis

Dana Watson
JA of the High Plains

Abigail Whilden
JA of Southern California

5 Years of Service

Giavonni Adams
JA of Chicago

Mary Artimez
JA of South Florida

Mrs. Natalie Ashcraft
JA of Greater Hampton Roads

Molly Baines
JA of Central Indiana

Linda Barrocas
JA of Greater Miami

Sue Belnick
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Cindy Benzschawel
JA of Wisconsin

Amanda Berenda
JA of Northern Indiana

Crystal Boutiette
JA of Southern California

Jeff Brokamp
JA of OKI Partners

Val Brooks
JA of Greater Boston

Keshia Bruno
JA of Dallas

Sonia Byers
JA of Central Ohio

Mishel Cabrera
JA of Georgia

Jillian Cantu
JA of Kentuckiana

Ed W. Chess, Jr.
JA of Western Pennsylvania

Casey Collins
JA of New York

Trisha Comstock
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Greg A. Cook
JA of South Florida

Rebecca Coulter
JA of Southeast Texas

Carla Crowe
JA of Southeast Texas

Laura D'Antonio
JA of Delaware

Ruby Damian
JA of Northern California

Becky Dantin
JA of Greater Baton Rouge

Anastasia Davis
JA of Northern California

Melissa Davis
JA of OKI Partners

Ryan Deckert
JA of Oregon & SW Washington

Clifford Deffke
JA - Rocky Mountain

Audrey Del Prete
JA of Southern California

Amber Diehr
JA of Oregon and SW Washington

Emma Disterhoft
JA of Eastern Iowa

Diana Mitchell Emerson
JA of Central Maryland

Lorraine Englander
JA of New York

Lauren Fitts
JA of Acadiana

Caroline Mitchell Frost
JA of Georgia

Shayna Gaspard
3DE

Shannon Gerard
JA of Central Iowa

Deviney Haley
JA of Tampa Bay

Cindy Hames
JA of the Chisholm Trail

Colleen Hay
JA of Washington

Rosemary Hays
JA of Dallas

Tamara Hertzler
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Stacey Hicks
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Sue Jackson
JA of Northern Indiana

Alisa Jankowitz
JA of Greater Fairfield County

Rebecca Johnson
JA of Western New York

Marie Kamp
JA of Central Upstate New York

Matt Kemper
JA USA

Rose Kiyler
JA of Arizona

Kathi Kunkel
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Diana Leppo
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Laura Lutterbeck
JA of Michigan Great Lakes

Carmen Marttila
JA of Washington

Melissa Matteson
JA of Wisconsin

Nelleke Maxwell
JA of Greater St. Louis

Jim McCaskill
JA of Southeast Texas

Don Miksch
JA of North Central Ohio

Beth Miller
JA of Northern Indiana

Christopher Miller
JA of South Florida

Syreeta Mitchell
JA of Central Ohio

Walter R. Nason
JA of Central Florida

Katie Parker
JA - Rocky Mountain

Kathryn Parks
JA of Dallas

Teri Patrick
JA USA

Stephanie Penaloza-Perez
JA of Tampa Bay

Kaya Pierce
JA of Central Ohio

Charlotte Pietropaolo
JA of New York

Ashley Podrasky
JA of Western Pennsylvania

Jim Pollock
JA of Northwestern Ohio

Kristin Reagan
JA of Northern Nevada

Payton Rhodes Yarian
JA of Northern Indiana

Urbano Roman
JA of Georgia

Camille Russo
JA of Georgia

Patricia Saint-Lot
JA of New Mexico

Stephanie Saman
JA of North Florida

Doug Sanders
JA USA

Lisa Marie Scalese
3DE

Kortney Scheumann
JA of Northern Indiana

Christine Schultz
JA of Wisconsin

Nora Schwartz
JA of Northern Indiana

Abbey Shepherd
JA of Georgia

Jordyn Singer
JA of Dallas

Debra Slothower
JA of the Heartland

Brenda Spencer
JA of Washington

Jenni Stein
JA of Wisconsin

Kim Sterling
JA of Western Pennsylvania

Shanice R Stevens
JA of Southern Nevada

Adam Sutter
JA of Wisconsin

Erin Sweet
JA - Rocky Mountain

Kate Sweigert
JA of Northern Indiana

Michele Nikki Thornton
3DE

Angelica Tobar
JA of Tampa Bay

Kate Trevelyan-Hall
JA of Northern California

Caroline Tzelios
JA of New York

Natalie Vega O'Neil
JA of Washington

Julia Wade
JA of Central Ohio

Jennifer Warren
JA of South Florida

Ben White
JA of Georgia

Tessa Marie Wilber
JA of South Dakota

Christine Williquette
JA of Wisconsin

Lisa Wivagg
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Lisa A. Yarian
JA of Northern Indiana

Mireille Youssef
JA of New York

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