Awards
Recognizing NPB Members
The NPB seeks to recognize excellence in the work of our members and other employees of our member agencies. Each year the NPB seeks nominations from each region for three awards.
APHIS Administrator Award
2024 Recipient: Dan Kenny, Ohio
The APHIS Administrator award is an annual award established in 2007 and presented by APHIS at the National Plant Board (NPB) Annual Meeting. The purpose of this award is to recognize significant contributions in the plant health arena by NPB members or their representatives in dealing with a current plant health issue (occurring within the past 24 months).
Dr. Mark Davidson, Deputy Administrator, Plant Protection and Quarantine, (right) presents Dan Kenny (left) with the 2024 APHIS Administrator Award.
Carl E. Carlson Distinguished Award in Regulatory Plant Protection
The 2024 award is presented to North Carolina Spotted Lanternfly Detector Dog Handlers Chad Talor and Jackie Fredieu, and pups Kita and Goose.
The purpose of Carl E. Carlson Distinguished Award in Regulatory Plant Protection is to recognize and honor individuals that have distinguished themselves in the field of regulatory plant protection through service and contributions made at the field level. Those who have consistently upheld the principles of plant protection and quarantine and the ideals of the National Plant Board (NPB) in serving those citizens and industries regulated. The award was established in 1994 in remembrance of Carl E. Carlson, State Entomologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship from 1979 to 1992. The award is sponsored by Corteva through the Central Plant Board. The award consists of an inscribed plaque and $250.00. The award is presented each year at the annual meeting of National Plant Board.
NPB President Mia Kirk, AK, (right) presents the Carl E. Carlson Distinguished Award in Regulatory Plant Protection to Chad Talor, NC, (left).
NPB President’s Partnership Award
2024 Recipients: Tracy Svalina
The NPB President’s Partnership Award was established in 2007 by then-president Ken Rauscher of Michigan. Selected by the National Plant Board President, the award recipient is recognized for outstanding contribution to National Plant Board during the President’s term. Past recipients have included individuals from within National Plant Board, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Customs and Border Protection, Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS), as well as outside organizations.
NPB President Mia Kirk, AK, (right) presents the NPB Presidential Partnership Award to Tracy Svalina (left).
NPB President’s Leadership Award
2024 Recipient: David Gianino
The NPB President’s Leadership Award was established in 2023 by Steven Long of South Carolina. Selected by the National Plant Board President, the award recipient is recognized for their leadership within the National Plant Board and the industry.
2024 NPB President Mia Kirk, AK, (right) presents the NPB President’s Leadership Award to David Gianino, VA, (left).
Outstanding PPQ/ NPB Committee Award
2024 Recipient: Team Ocelot
In 2024, Team Ocelot received this award in recognition of your participation on this committee, responding quickly to a Box Tree Moth situation and developing a regulatory framework and compliance agreement designed to prevent the spread of BTM via the nursey production pathway. We thank your service!
Recipients:
- USDA PPQ: Ignacio Baez, Staff Scientist; Russ Bullock, National Operations Manager; Keith Colpetzer, Facilitator, Allen Proxmire, National Policy Manager
- NPB SPROs: Chris Benemann- Oregon, David Gianino- Virginia, Dan Kenny-Ohio, Victoria Smith-CT
Outstanding PPQ/ NPB Committee Award
2024 Recipient: Georgia Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Hornet Team
In recognition of your outstanding performance in response to yellow-legged hornet, despite the many challenges, still locating and eradicating five nests in 2023. We acknowledge a job well done!
Outstanding PPQ/ NPB Committee Award
NPB Retiree Recognition & Notice of Passing
In an effort to recognize past National Plant Board members, USDA State Plant Health Directors, and other state and federal employees and cooperators, the NPB Awards Committee requests information on the retirements or deaths that have occurred since the previous NPB Annual Meeting, from NPB members each year. You may send this information to the National Plant Board Executive Administrator at admin@nationalplantboard.org.