Awards

2024 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.

2024 Recipient

Jennifer Burk
JA of Central Indiana

2024 Nominees

Casey Pash
JA of Greater South Carolina

Christy Tribe
JA of Utah

Larry Washington
JA of Greater New Orleans

Michelle Anderson
JA of Maine

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 Staff Alumni Network

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

2024 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.

2024 Recipient

Sara Dziuk
JA North

2024 Nominees

Shannon Italia
JA of North Florida

Stephanie Gambone
JA of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Jason Lee
JA of Southeastern Michigan

Leigh Baim Mansberg
JA of Memphis and the Mid-South

Janie Cook
JA of South Texas

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, 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

2011

Jack Harris, JA of Georgia

2010

Linda McCracken, JA of Northern California

2009

Lori Jacob, JA of Greater St. Louis

2007

Larry Timm, JA of Central Illinois

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

2024 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

2024 Recipients

Ed Grocholski
JA USA

Mark J. Taghon
JA of the Heartland

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

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

2024 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.

2024 Recipient

Stephanie Docsol
JA of Tampa Bay

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

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, 3DE

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, JA of Southeast Texas

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

2024 Service Awards

45 Years of Service

Catherine Haga
JA of Greater Miami

40 Years of Service

Richard George
JA of Tampa Bay

John Healey
JA of the Midlands

35 Years of Service

Dena Kidd
JA of Arizona

30 Years of Service

Katherine Dick
JA of Washington

Kristi Shaffer
JA - Rocky Mountain

25 Years of Service

Ann Elliott
JA of Greater South Carolina

Rob Eppes
JA of Delaware

Derek Ernst
JA of Chicago

Lee Lewis
JA of Rhode Island

Taylor Sword
3DE

20 Years of Service

Janet Banaugh
JA of Washington

Kristi Finger
JA of Wisconsin

Mark Fiore
JA USA

Mary Hoffmeister
JA of Greater St. Louis

Kim K. Hunter
JA USA

Tammy R. Neese
JA of Washington

Connie Poisson
JA of the Michigan Edge

Christy Tribe
JA of Utah

15 Years of Service

Shari Andrade
JA of Washington

Jennifer Burk
JA of Central Indiana

Elizabeth Clements
JA of Arizona

Stephanie Darrow
JA of Utah

Clint Durst
JA of North Central Ohio

Sarah Garrison
JA of Northern Indiana

Amanda Hillmann
JA North

Katie Keane
JA USA

Sandy LaPasso
JA of Greater St. Louis

Jeanette Lee
JA USA

Melissa Mays
JA of Southwest Virginia

Denisse Palafox
JA of Southern California

Elizabeth Terrazas
JA of the Desert Southwest

Andrea Van Wyngarden
JA of Northern Indiana

Marci L. Werne
JA of Kansas

10 Years of Service

Amy Alaimo
JA of Western Massachusetts

Rachel Andoh
JA of Greater Fairfield County

Soumaya Arabi
JA of Southeastern Michigan

Julian Arias
JA USA

Robert Berndt
JA USA

Ami Boehlje
JA of Greater St. Louis

Jennifer T. Boyle
JA of Central Virginia

Jillian K. Cantu
JA of Kentuckiana

Tammy Casteen
JA of Kansas

Anne Conroy-Baiter
JA of the Space Coast

Suzanne Cressy Rabalais
JA of Greater New Orleans

Mary Catherine Desrosiers
JA USA

Ashley Donecker
JA of New Jersey

Alison Welch Elder
JA of Memphis and the Mid-South

Tiffany Mackey Guthrie
JA of North Florida

Carol Harper
JA of Northern Indiana

Melinda Henderson
JA of the Chisholm Trail

Michelle L. Jackson
JA of Southern Nevada

Joshua P. Kelly
JA of Southwest New England

Allison Kierce
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Anne Landers
JA of Arizona

Meredith Leimkuhler
JA of Northern Indiana

Shannon Long
JA of Tampa Bay

John McDougald
JA of Dallas

Brittney Palmer
JA of Utah

Casey Pash
JA of Greater South Carolina

Julie Regazzi
JA of Northern Indiana

Jennifer Reynolds
JA of Central Ohio

Jeannine Riley
JA USA

Nikita Rodrigues
JA of Greater Miami

Lisa Roy
JA of Western New York

Stacey E. Shelton
JA of Central Ohio

Abbey Shimel
JA of Northern Indiana

Megan Sturges
JA of Greater Kansas City

Amanda L. Teti
JA of Southwest New England

Joe Thomas
JA USA

Mary Thomas
JA of Oklahoma

Katelyn Tungland
JA of Eastern Iowa

Ryan Venderlic
JA of Delaware

Taylor Vogelsang
3DE

Mia Welaish
JA of S. Central Pennsylvania

Lauren Zahn
3DE

5 Years of Service

Claire Aguilera
JA of South Florida

Misty Amarena
JA of Southwest New England

Tracy Anderson
JA USA

Jojo Antonio
JA of Greater Boston

Julie Armstrong
JA of Southwest New England

Kathleen Barbee
JA of the Chisholm Trail

Katelyn Bates
JA of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast

Tracey Beesley
JA of Oklahoma

Deborah Mayfield Blakey
JA of Greater New Orleans

Andrea Bloom
JA of Central Ohio

Rebecca Borovsky
JA of Greater Washington

Adam Brinson
JA of Greater Miami

Jill Burdo
3DE

Brian Clark
JA of Greater Hampton Roads

Edith Colón
JA of Southern Massachusetts

Janie Cook
JA of South Texas

Tony Cortinas
JA of Greater Hampton Roads

Donna L. Damon

Rick Dant
JA of Kentuckiana

Davya DiLauro
JA of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast

Stephanie Docsol
JA of Tampa Bay

Marissa Dorschner
JA North

Kristine Dovale
JA of Greater Fairfield County

Jen Edwards
JA of Northern Indiana

Anna Maria C-N. Folsom
JA of Northern California

Dr. Amy M. Gates-Stroud
3DE

Andrea Gill
JA of Georgia

Sydney Gregory
JA of Northern Indiana

Melissa Gretebeck
JA of Wisconsin

Kevin Grimmett
JA of Utah

Stuart Haddow
JA of Georgia

Kathleen Hayden
JA of Greater Baton Rouge & Acadiana

Jamie L. Henry
JA of Greater Hampton Roads

Jessica Hilary
JA of Northern Indiana

Staci Hodges
JA USA

Kate Hood
JA of Greater Kansas City

Carina Inganamort
JA of Arizona

Hanna Jensen
JA of San Diego County

Kat Jordan
JA of Middle Tennessee

Jerad Justesen
JA North

Nikki Kiger
JA of Washington

Latia King-Fontánez
JA of Greater Boston

Daniel Knopp
JA of Wisconsin

Donna Koch
JA of Southwest New England

Jason Lee
JA of Southeastern Michigan

Jenifer Leider
JA of Oregon and SW Washington

Melanie Louder
3DE

Kerri Lynch
JA North

Suzanne Maddux
JA of Oregon & SW Washington

Leigh Baim Mansberg
JA of Memphis and the Mid-South

Twanda McAlister
JA of Greater Fairfield County

Lori McCleese
JA of North Central Ohio

Kristene McEvoy
JA of Central Iowa

Sue McKim
JA of South Central Pennsylvania

Karla Morris
JA of Greater New Orleans

Matthew D. Morrison
JA of Greater South Carolina

K'Lin Mortimer
JA of Washington

Litsa Olivier
JA of Southeastern Michigan

Dionne R. Owens

Shelly Quaif
JA USA

Melissa Rebro
JA of the Heartland

Jill Reipsa
JA of South Florida

Dawn G. Rivera
JA of Central Florida

Anji Roe Wood
JA of Southern Colorado

Brad Salter
JA of Greater Hampton Roads

Robert Shearon
JA USA

Antwanette Smith
JA of Arkansas

Crystal T. Smith
JA of Southeastern Michigan

Jennifer Sparks
JA of Central Ohio

Lauren Stendahl
JA of Greater New Orleans

Ellen Stoops
JA of Central Virginia

Sara Swearingen
JA of Greater Kansas City

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
3DE

Lizette Tejeda
JA of Southern California

Tara Templeton
JA of Greater Miami

Sydney Thomas
JA of Georgia

Katie Thompson
JA of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast

Joi Turner
JA of Georgia

Alexia Vigliotti
JA of South Florida

Siddhartha Vivek
JA of San Diego County

Eric E. Walter, Jr.
JA of Greater New Orleans

Brittney Wells
JA of North Central Ohio

Trish A. Williams
JA of Greater St. Louis

Stephanie Wilt

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