Recreation Advocate of the Year

This award, supported by the Forest Service, is designed to recognize the personal dedication of those dealing and interacting with recreation residence permittees. The award recognizes individuals who are outstanding examples of those who manage and administer the recreation residence program by nominating them for this award. They will be honored at the NFH annual convention.

2023: Scot Rogers, District Ranger, Eldorado National Forest

2022: Lee Ellis, Resource Specialist, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

2021: Debbie Butler, Natural Resources Specialist, Idaho Panhandle National Forest; and Heather Westfall, Resources Assistant, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

2020: Tracy Kremer, USFS Pacific Northwest Region Lands Special Uses Program Manager; and Jesika Ellis, Special Uses Permit Administrator, Stanislaus National Forest

2019: Annmarie Kmetz, Archeologist, Santa Fe National Forest

2018: Tiffany Begaye, Information Specialist, Sierra National Forest; and Kent Foster, Forestry Technician, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

2017: Mike DeSmit, Realty Specialist Fremont-Winema NF; and Fran Lanagan, Forestry Technician, Mt Hood National Forest

2016: Esther Woodward, Resource Specialist, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, WA

2015: Denny Coughlin, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA; and Robin Duarte, Umpqua National Forest, OR

2014: Michael Donald, District Ranger, Mt. Hough Ranger District, Plumas National Forest, CA

2013: Margaret Bailey, District Ranger, Klamath Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, OR; and Gina Thompson, Special Uses Staff Officer, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, CA

2012: Karen Lindhorst, Special Uses Officer, Naches Ranger District, Wenatchee National Forest, WA

2011: Jackie Rickter, Resource Specialist, Sawtooth National Forest, ID

2010: Betty Hartenstine, San Bernardino National Forest, CA; and Katy Parr, Eldorado National Forest, CA

2009: Keith Rowland, Special Uses and Lands Program Manager, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, WA

2008: Karen Caldwell, District Ranger, Stanislaus National Forest, CA

2007: James Sauser, Lands Special Uses Coordinator, Pacific Northwest Region (6)

2006: Kent Russell, Klamath Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, OR

2005: Julie Molzahn, Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, OR

2004: Lenore Will, Mountain Top Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest, CA

2003: Richard Platt, Pacific Ranger District, Eldorado National Forest, OR

2002: Jerry Vromna, Crescent Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest, OR

2001: Lori Allessio, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, CA

2000: Earl O'Driscoll, Evanston Ranger District, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT