21st Annual Director's Recognition Awards
21st Annual Director's Recognition Award Program
CLIMATE ADAPTATION AWARD
Recognizes those who have taken remarkable steps in preparing for and protecting against the adverse and imminent consequences of climate change.
Michelle Succow – Natural Resources Division
COMPASS AWARD
Recognizes remarkable long-term visioning, innovative thinking and mentorship that fosters talent and provides support to staff at all levels.
Catherine Caldwell – Strategic Planning and Recreation Services Division
EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD
Recognizes those who have made an exceptional contribution to ensuring all Californians have access to the outdoors and cultural sites and who have significantly contributed to the department’s values of equity and inclusion.
Big Basin Planning Team – A collaboration between Santa Cruz District staff and Parks California.
Santa Cruz District
Will Fourt Garret Hammack
Parks California
Myrian Solis Coronel Emily Henry Geoff Kish
Kindley Walsh Lawlor Becky Rittenburg
INNOVATION AWARD
Recognizes those who have demonstrated the remarkable ability to complete tasks and projects or address park problems.
2023 World Ocean Day Live Dive Team
Isabella Brown Alec Knapp Riley Rhodes
Brandon Caskey Kenneth Kramer Lydia Stinson
Erika Delemarre Jennifer Langer Mathew Trotter
Lee Hausner Kara Lu Ashley Wemp
Kayla Jones James Nothhelfer
Volunteers
Stan Burns John Ittelson Micheal Slade Eric Sturm Patrick Webster
INSPIRATION AWARD
Recognizes those who have achieved a major public objective while emphasizing community involvement.
Colorado Desert District Native American Conservation Corps Team – A collaboration with Colorado Desert District staff, Native American Conservation Corps Field Team members, volunteers, and local Tribe organizations.
Colorado Desert District
Donna Chandler Lisa Gonzales-Kramer
Fania DeLugo Frank Padilla
Hayley Elsken Zachary Staley
Emelyn Hernandez Hector Valencia
Mike Hopkins
Volunteers
Jen MacDonald Tom Smith
Native American Conservation Corps Field Team Members
Anthony Alvarado Raymond Martinez Albert Quihuis
Dominick Chapparosa Wanish Tortes-McGinnis Jeremiah Sanchez
Josh Denmark Gary McVey Cullen Smith
Christian Dominguez Henry Najera Jacob Stone
Cory Knott Warren Paipa Edwin Ward
Andrew Leyva Donald Pena
Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy
Johnny Elliott Lisa Haws
Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County
Ann Baldrige Morgan Graves Stan Hill Heather Marlow
San Diego River Conservancy
Julia Richards
Kumeyaay Community College
Dr. Stan Rodriguez
La Jolla Reservation Fire Department
Wes Ruiz
Campo Kumeyaay Nation
Michael Connoly Miskwish
LEADERSHIP AND VISION AWARD
Recognizes staff with the ability to motivate and inspire others to positive action and who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the ideals and values of State Parks.
April Marson – Diablo Range District
PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Recognizes partners—support organizations, teams or individuals—who have demonstrated a high level of commitment over a substantial period of time toward accomplishing the department's mission.
Leonard Wilson – Mojave River Natural History Association
PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY AWARD
Recognizes employees who have demonstrated a high degree of honesty, integrity, and idealism in the face of adverse pressure.
Larissa Ison and Lisa Jaycox– Park Operations Division
RESILIENCE AWARD
Recognizes an individual or team who tirelessly and valiantly rose to enormous challenges during an emergency response situation and/or recovery effort.
Jake Bentley – Santa Cruz District
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Recognizes those who have introduced new ideas or methods to accomplish the mission of State Parks or pioneered new ways to introduce the public to state parks.
Brooke Sullivan – Bay Area District
SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD
Given to an individual or team who has made a significant contribution toward accomplishing the mission and goals of State Parks. Efforts recognized by this award stand far above the norm and are substantial in impact and worthy of recognition at the director’s level.
Eric Draper – Sierra District
Facility Ignition Prevention Program Team
Kathleen Kennedy Branigan Schoppman
Peter Saelee Brooke Sheridan
Leah Gardner – Natural Resources Division
Kathleen Kennedy – Cultural Resources Division
Jimmy Low – Strategic Planning and Recreation Services Division
SPECIAL ACT/SERVICE AWARD
Given for an extraordinary act of heroism by an employee that extends far above the normal call of duty or service and is performed at great risk to their own safety in an effort to save life and/or property.
Michael “Clyde” Cafferty – Colorado Desert District
Matthew Cantelme – Inland Empire District
Jake DiNolfi and Jaycee Hollins – Oceano Dunes District
Cameron Faris – Orange Coast District
David W. Flanagan – Oceano Dunes District
Maxwell Hunter and Riley Rhodes – Santa Cruz District
Justin Quiggle – Orange Coast District
Channel Coast District High Surf Response Team
Tim Allen Jackson Feller Priscilla Soto
Brandon Alvarez David Flora Ryan Stolla
Scott Anderson Skylar Goodner Benjamin Sweet
Ted Anning Winnie Hsiao Mary Thorne
Richard Barry Kai Huff Dion Von Der Leith
James Bray Casey Huffman David Wilson
Wyatt Calhoun Maria Mendez Katherine Wilson
Ross Carey Chris Pistone Jaret Wrobel
Ray Cervantez Greg Shaner William Wulff
Eric Fedde Sydney Smith