Awards
The Awards Committee considers all nominations for the Chapter Awards (exclusive of President’s and special awards) made by any member of the Chapter in good standing. Awards are presented at the annual meeting during the Ohio Tree Care Conference. Complete and return the awards nomination form for future consideration.
Award of Merit
Award of Merit – the highest honor the Chapter can bestow, recognizes outstanding meritorious service in advancing the principles, ideals, and practices of arboriculture, and to one who has contributed materially to the promotion of the Chapter. One award may be granted annually to a member of the Chapter. The recipient of this award will also be nominated for an ISA award of distinction.
2022 – Dr. Robert J. Laverne
2021 – Prof. Chris Carlson
2020 – Steve Cothrel
2019 – Mark Webber
2017 – Certified Arborist Preparation Course Coordinators (Lola Lewis, Carrie Paulus, Chad Clink)
2016 – David Bienemann
2015 – R J Laverne
2014 – Mark Hoenigman
2013 – Chris Ahlum
2010 – Al Shauck
2009 – Barbara Chadwick
2008 – Tommy Williams
2007 – Alan Siewert
2005 – Alan Siewert
2001 – Alan D. Klonowski
1998 – Ward Peterson
1997 – David H. Snyder
1996 – Bill Fitch
1995 – Lana Ahlum
1992 – Dr. Robert Partyka
1991 – Ed Butcher
1990 – Edwin E. Irish
1989 – David H. Snyder
1988 – Lauren S. Lanphear
1987 – Dr. Bruce Roberts
1986 – Ann Fisher
1985 – Dr. Elton M. Smith
1984 – Alan Cook
1983 – Fred Hower
1976 – Dr. Oliver D. Diller
1975 – Leo D. Creed
1973 – Homer L. "Red” Jacobs
1972 – Dr. Kenneth W. Reisch
1971 – Richard E. Abbott
Award of Achievement
Award of Achievement – granted to an individual or firm who has, through specific projects, programs, or research, contributed to the advancement of the use and/or maintenance of shade trees and other landscape plants in the Ohio area. The person or firm being considered for this award is recognized for outstanding accomplishments during recent years. The Award is limited to one individual or firm annually.
2024 – Ernie Brinker and José Fernández
2023 – AT&T Pioneers
2022 – FirstEnergy
2021 – Dr. Anand Persad
2020 – Dr. Carolyn Keiffer
2019 – Lola Lewis
2018 – Ohio Tree City USA Communities
2016 – City of Cleveland
2015 – Joe Boggs
2014 – Ward Peterson & John Goodfellow
2013 – Beth Buchanan
2010 – Dr. Dan Herms
2008 – Wendy VanBuren
2007 – Stephanie Foster-Miller
2001 – Ohio’s 2000 Tour des Trees Riders, the City of Columbus, Parks & Forestry; Jack Low & Bill Fitch
1998 – Dave Gamstetter
1997 – Robert Felix
1996 – Peter Bristol
1995 – Larry Holkenborg
1992 – Columbus Landscape Association
1991 – City of Cleveland
1990 – Arbortech
1989 – North Coast Urban Forestry Conference
1988 – Early Settlers Association
1987 – Sharon (Smithyman) Lilly
1985 – Lloyd Kennedy
1984 – Holden Arboretum
1983 – Dawes Arboretum
1976 – City of Toledo
1975 – City of Ashland
1973 – City of New Philadelphia
1972 – William H. Collins
1971 – Davey Tree Expert Co.
Honorary Life Membership
Honorary Life Membership – may be granted only to Chapter members who have contributed materially and substantially to the progress of arboriculture and have given unselfishly of their efforts in supporting and promoting the objectives of the Chapter. Chapter Honorary Life Membership may be awarded to not more than one member annually. Upon ending their term as president, all past presidents are awarded honorary life membership.
2024 – Steve Schneider
2023 – Lola Lewis, Sue Mottl
2021 – David Bienemann
2020 – Tyler Stevenson
2019 – Eric Davis and Thomas Munn
2018 – Ernie Brinker
2017 – All Past Presidents including Shirley Vaughn, Joe Russell, Gerald Western, Katrina Schnobrick, Alan Siewert
2015 – Beth Buchanan
2009 – Alan Shauck
2008 – Jenny Gulick
2007 – Shelley (Buettner) Rockwell
2001 – Barbara Chadwick & Anne Siewert
2000 – Dave & Lana Ahlum
1998 – Alan D. Klonowski & Dr. T. Davis Sydnor
1997 – Steve Sandfort
1996 – Mrs. Rusty Girouard, Ward Peterson & Donald Shope
1992 – Bill Fitch, Joe Rimelspach, Lauren Lanphear, David Snyder & Ann Miller
1991 – Jack Brown, Charles Wilson, Ralph Veverka, Richard Woods & James Carter
1990 – Walter Bender, Larry Holkenborg, Harold Simon, Bernard Swisher & Alex Wynstra Jr.
1989 – Jim Dacey, Joe Edgerly, S. Clyde Gordon, George Kase & Ted Parke
1988 – Baird Caplinger, Alan Cook & Henry Gilbertson
1987 – Fred W. Hower, Edwin E. Irish & Emerrich Sabo
1986 – Mont Hollingsworth
1985 – William H. Collins
1984 – Donald E. Richter
1983 – Kenneth H. Funk
1981 – Dr. Bruce Roberts
Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership provides a one year free membership, recognizes those individuals who are not members of the Chapter who have shown continued interest and have given outstanding service in promoting arboriculture. Recipients will have given material contributions to the advancement of arboriculture either through research, field practice, promotion, invention, or literature. Chapter Honorary Membership is limited to not more than one individual annually.
2010 – Becky McCann
2008 – Holden Arboretum
2001 – Robert Reekers
1998 – Robin Green
1997 – Denny McKeown
1996 – Sharon McClure
1995 – Barbara Chadwick & James Zampini
1992 – Bill Stalter
1991 – Dr. Richard Miller
1990 – Bob Evans
1989 – Victor Merullo
1988 – Irma (Bartell) Dugan
1987 – Dr. James Caldwell
1986 – Lana Ahlum
1985 – Dean Ramsey
1984 – Jo’Del Hower
1983 – John E. Ford
President’s Award
President’s Award – given at the discretion and determination of the current president for services deemed significant to the president during his/her term of office.
2023 – Brian Goodall
2022 – Virginia Bowman
2021 – Tyler Stevenson
2020 – Eric Davis
2019 – Dixie Russell
2018 – Richard Rathjens
2017 – Chad Clink
2016 – Thomas Munn
2015 – Gerald Western
2014 – Katrina Schnobrich & Team Ohio (Offinger Management Co.)
2013 – Al Shauck
2012 – Lola Lewis
2010 – Katrina Schnobrich
2009 – Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Bruce Cubberley & Dr. Dan Herms
2005 – OTCC Committee (Enrico Bonello, Matt Dickman, Mark Hoenigman, Jennifer Milbrandt, Tom Munn, Al Shauck & Rebecca Spach) and the 2004 Regional Meetings committee (Tim Back, Tim Boehmer, Melissa Hutson & Jennifer Milbrandt)
2004 – 2003 Summer Seminar Committee (Tim Boehmer, Heather White & Brad Worth)
Safety Awards
Safety Awards – this outstanding crew/individual performance award recognizes an individual’s or crew’s heroic reaction to an emergency situation and/or an outstanding company contribution award recognizes a member’s proactive program to address safety issues within its own company or community. This award may be bestowed annually to not more than two individuals, organizations, firms or other entities. The nominees do not need to be members of the Ohio Chapter or ISA.
2023 – Ohio Department of Transportation
2017 – Eric Davis and the City of Cincinnati
2016 – José Fernández
2014 – Roy Montan
2013 – City of Bexley Tree Crew
2010 – Ernie Brinker
1997 – City of Columbus, Division of Recreation & Parks, Forestry Section
1973 – Karl Kuemmerling Associates
Gold Leaf Award
Gold Leaf Award traditionally recognizes individuals, groups or businesses for outstanding Arbor Day recognition activities or community beautification projects. The award is an internationally recognized ISA award.
2022 – City of Stow
2019 – Wendi Van Buren
2018 – Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation
2017 – Chillicothe Tree Commission/ Jim Slyh
2016 – City of Hudson
2015 – City of Piqua, City of Cincinnati & College of Wooster
2014 – Vermilion Tree Care Commission
2013 – Mary Maloney
1992 – Andrew Todd
1989 – Alan D. Cook
1988 – Elton Smith
1987 – Dr. Lewis C. Chadwick
1986 – Fred W. Hower
1985 – Wayne E. Randall
Special Awards
Special Awards such as the service award to outgoing president, citations or honors may be awarded for student academic excellence in arboriculture or related fields or programs, and/or to others who have meritoriously contributed to the advancement of the profession of arboriculture, as deemed advisable by the Awards Committee.
2022 – Chris Ahlum & Jay Butcher
2018 – Ohio Tree City USA Communities
2017 – Independent Tree (coordinating Ohio TCC)
2016 – OARDC/Secrest/ATI
2015 – Special Awards Dave Bienemann (OTCC), Jay Butcher (Ohio TCC) & Kent Roosevelt High School (Outstanding Education)
2014 – Special Citations to Wess McCullough, Tod Miller & Stephan Carbonara (new board member orientation); Fred Dotson (past treasurer); Lola Lewis & Carrie Paulus (scholarship & educational offerings); Alan Siewert, Jason Knowles, Stephanie Miller, Tom Rodhe (Tree Bio Mechanics Week); Barbara Chadwick & the History Committee (Chapter History Book)
2013 – Special Citation to Bill Fitch, Dan Herms, Ryan Lewis, Stephanie Miller and Charles Owen
2010 – Special Citation to Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum
2009 – Special Citations to Chadwick Arboretum, Dawes Arboretum & The Huston-Brambaugh Nature Center
2007 – Special Citation to Cindy Anderson
2001 – Special Citation to John Montgomery
1998 – Special Citations to Alan D. Klonowski, Robert Quellos, Lana Ahlum, Ray Bengel, Mrs. Rusty Girouard & Jenny Gulick
1997 – Special Citations to Chris Carlson, 6 Tour des Trees riders (Vina & Wayne Parker, RJ Laverne, Peter Cornellison, Todd Mahfelder & Ward Peterson)
1991 – Special Citation to Greg Clemens
1990 – Special Citation to Denny Defibaugh
1988 – Special Citation to Barbara Chadwick
1987 – Special Citation to Joe Rimelspach
1985 – Special Citation to David Ahlum
1983 – Special Citation to Ed & Jack Butcher
1982 – Academic Award to Sharon Lilly
1964 – Distinguished Contributor’s Award to Dr. Lewis C. Chadwick
1955 – National Shade Tree Conference Research Award to The Ohio State University
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