FPTA Volunteer Awards
Florida Paddling Trail Association Volunteer Recognition
The Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA) is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization. What propels this organization forward is the dedication and efforts of its volunteers; without this team or “family’ of volunteers, we would be up the creek without a paddle!
The Florida Paddling Trail Association’s annual awards serve as a way to recognize members, volunteers, partners, and supporters for their incredible contributions to the FPTA and Florida’s waterways. Every year, we ask our partners, members and volunteers to nominate people in the community for their exceptional contributions.
AWARD CATEGORIES
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
This award is presented at the FPTA Presidents’ discretion to an FPTA member (individual, team, paddling club, or business member) who has made extraordinary efforts supporting FPTA’s mission. This award is considered the highest recognition for an FPTA Member, and as such, this is limited to one recipient annually.
2024 TBA
2023 Liz Sparks
2022 Deb Akin
2021 Jill Lingard
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual (or individuals) whose volunteer efforts reflect the spirit of our all-volunteer organization. The following award is selected by the FPTA Board of Directors:
2024 FPTA Membership Software Team (Deb Akin, Derry Walsh, Steve Cournoyer, Dorsey DeMaster): For nearly 18 months, this team researched, developed, and implemented FPTA's new membership software. Deb, Steve, and Derry were the "Geeks" that made development, implementation, and especially post-roll-out troubleshooting a success! This software will transform FPTA's ability to move forward/increase FPTA membership.
2023 Julie Flynt and Tommy Thompson
2022 Pam Shemet
2021 Joe Webb
2020 Dan Thompson
2019 Wayne Douchkoff
2018 Steve Cournoyer
2017 John Corzine
2016 Bill Stasiewicz
2015 Gus Bianchi
2014 Tom McLaulin
2013 —————
2012 Deb Akin
2011 Dan Thompson
2010 Esther Luft
2009 Judy Engel
2008 John Norris
HANK BROOKS AWARD
The Hank Brooks Award recognizes FPTA Business Members, FPTA Paddle Clubs and Agency Partners that support FPTA’s core missions. While Florida Statutes (Title XVIII, Chapter 260) established the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (CT), Hank Brooks, the first President of the Florida Paddling Trails Association, laid the foundation for the independent non-profit organization we all know today; The Florida Paddling Trails Association. Under Hank Brooks’ leadership (2007 - 2010), he established FPTA’s core missions.
● Develop and maintain water trails, including the CT. ● Protect the environment along those trails. ● Serve as a resource and voice for paddlers. ● Promote paddling safety.
This award is selected by the FPTA Board of Directors:
2024 Monica & Frank Woll, have served on FPTA’s Board of Directors since the organization's beginning (2007) and have been wonderful trail angels for more than 16 years! Monica also served as Secretary and Newsletter Editor. If that wasn't enough, she helped develop what is now known as the Taylor Howard Youth Paddling Fund/Grant Program.
2023 Doug Alderson/Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails
2022 South Florida Paddlers