Recognize and Reward

Recognizing and rewarding the talent and dedication within our organization is critical. Each year, we acknowledge the changemakers you know within the EA community for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession.

The 2024 nomination window is now open. Don’t miss this chance to honor someone deserving! Complete the online nomination form here for consideration.

Learn more about each award and past recipients:

The Founders Award
The Excellence in Education Award
The Excellence in Public Awareness Award
The EA Mentor of The Year Award
The Lee T. Byrd Outstanding Volunteer Award
The Outstanding Supporter of EAs Award
The Bill Payne Advocacy Award
The Emerging Leader Award

The Founders Award
The Founders Award recognizes significant leadership and contributions and service to NAEA and its members and whose leadership exemplifies the principles and goals envisioned by the association’s founders. This lifetime achievement award is the association’s highest recognition bestowed on a member.

Year Winner
2023 Recipient David Tolleth, EA (NJ)
2022 Recipient Bill Nemeth, EA, MBA
2021 Recipient Alexander B. Thomson, EA, CFP
2020 Recipient Jean Nelsen, EA
2019 Recipient Alan Pinck, EA (CA)
2018 Recipient James Adelman, EA (OK)
2017 Recipient Andrew P. Stadler, EA (IN)
2016 Recipient Lonnie Gary, EA, USTCP (CA)
Jerry Joyce, EA (FL)
2015 Recipient William D. “Bill” Payne, EA (posthumous)
2014 Recipient Sandra Martin, EA (NY)
2013 Recipient Sherrill Trovato, EA, USTCP (CA)
2012 Recipient Terry Durkin, EA (MA)
2011 Recipient Larry Liptscher, EA (NY)
2010 Recipient Steven E. Rodgers (NV) posthumous
2009 Recipient Patricia L. Schmick, EA (WA)
2008 Recipient Diana M. Thompson, EA (OH)
2007 Recipient Not Awarded
2006 Recipient Francis X. Degen, EA, USTCP (NY)
2005 Recipient Faye Touchet, EA (LA)
2004 Recipient Kirby L. Robinson, EA (CA)
2003 Recipient Leslie Shapiro, EA (DC)
2002 Recipient E. Ann Shroll, EA (FL)
2001 Recipient Judith Akin, EA (OK)
2000 Recipient Not Awarded
1999 Recipient Beanna Whitlock, EA (TX)
1998 Recipient Joe Lane, EA (CA)
1997 Recipient Mary E. McGuire, EA (NY)
1996 Recipient Jack Robishaw, EA (CA)
1995 Recipient Claudia A. Hill, EA (CA)
1994 Recipient Laurence O. Spector, EA (PA)
1993 Recipient Sharon-Kay Flynn, EA (MA)
1992 Recipient Nancy Nesbitt, EA (CA)
1991 Recipient Marjorie J. Joder, EA (FL)
1990 Recipient Rollen F. Campbell, EA (CA)
1989 Recipient David J. Silverman, EA (NY)
1988 Recipient Ray Goetting, EA (MN)
1987 Recipient Syd Schuldiner, EA (CA)
1986 Recipient Patricia Burton, EA (CT)
Bryan Gates, EA (FL)
Leah K. Herzberg, EA (CA)
1985 Recipient James Hopkins, EA (MD)
Bess B. Messmer, EA (VA)

The Excellence in Education Award
The Excellence in Education Award is to recognize significant contributions having immediate and/or long-term impact on the quality and scope of NAEA education programs.

Year Winner
2023 Recipient Beth Logan, EA (PA)
2022 Recipient J.T. Eagan, EA
2021 Recipient Clarice Landreth, EA, NTPIF
2020 Recipient Mark Dombrowski, EA
2019 Recipient Thomas Gorczynski, EA, USTCP (AZ)
2018 Recipient Francis X. Degen, EA, USTCP (NY)
2017 Recipient Kevin C. Huston, EA, USTCP (NC)
2016 Recipient Geri Bowman, EA, USTCP (OH)
2015 Recipient Alan Pinck, EA (CA)
2014 Recipient Jeffrey Schneider, EA (FL)
2013 Recipient Patricia Jenkins, EA (NM)
2012 Recipient L.G. Brooks, EA (TX)
2011 Recipient Catherine A. Clow, EA (CA)
2010 Recipient Janet Hemmerle, EA (AZ)
2009 Recipient Anne T. Arms, EA (CA)
2008 Recipient Diana Velasco (LA)
2007 Recipient Bryan & Jean Gates, EAs (FL)
2006 Recipient David Mellem, EA (WI)
Mickey Reedy, EA (CA)
2005 Recipient Patricia Logan, EA (TX)
2004 Recipient Sherrill Trovato, EA, USTCP (CA)
2003 Recipient Nancy Goedecke, EA (MA)
2002 Recipient Patricia Schmick, EA (WA)
2001 Recipient Robert McKenzie, EA (IL)
2000 Recipient Phillip Benoit, CPA (NY)
1999 Recipient Mary McGuire, EA (NY)
1998 Recipient Iris Kelley, EA (Deceased)
1997 Recipient Jerry Riles, EA (LA)
1996 Recipient Carol Thompson, EA (CA)
1995 Recipient Steven E. Rodgers, EA (NV)
1994 Recipient Joseph F. Lane, EA (CA)
1993 Recipient Henry C. Klein, EA (HI)
1992 Recipient Not Awarded
1991 Recipient Gary Shelton, EA (Deceased)
1990 Recipient NTPI Teaching Fellows:
Herbert Burton, EA (CT)
Patricia Burton, EA (CT)
Barton Goodeve, EA (NH)
Robert Hersh, EA (CA)
Mary Javor, EA (MI)
Nancy Ott, EA (CA)
Marilyn Ratliff, EA (CA)
Jim Reed, EA (CA)
1989 Recipient Claudia Hill, EA (CA)
1988 Recipient Bryan Gates, EA (FL)

The Excellence in Public Awareness Award
The Excellence in Public Awareness Award is to acknowledge the contributions having immediate and/or long-term impact on making “Enrolled Agents” and “EA” more readily recognized nationally, regionally, or locally as the tax professional of choice.

Year Winner
2023 Recipient Jonathan Call, EA (MN)
2022 Recipient Not Awarded
2021 Recipient Kerry Freeman, EA
2020 Recipient Not Awarded
2019 Recipient Trish Evenstad, EA (WI)
2018 Recipient Jerry Gaddis, EA (FL)
2017 Recipient Not Awarded
2016 Recipient Laurie Ziegler, EA (WI)
2015 Recipient Arizona Society of Enrolled Agents (AzSEA)
2014 Recipient Jean Nelsen, EA (CA)
Andy Stadler, EA (IN)
2013 Recipient Ana Magda Guillen, EA (FL)
2012 Recipient Kathy M. Rocha, EA (CA)
2011 Recipient William “Bill” Stevenson, EA (NY)
2010 Recipient Ellen Campbell, EA (AZ)
2009 Recipient Eva Rosenberg, EA (CA)
2008 Recipient Jennifer MacMillan, EA (CA)
2007 Recipient Lynn Schmidt, EA (FL)
2006 Recipient Linda Ruckel, EA (NM)
2005 Recipient David Kinser, EA (FL)
2004 Recipient James Leimbach, EA (FL)
2003 Recipient Douglas Boudreaux, EA (LA)
2002 Recipient Martin Stein, EA (NJ)
Ben Jones, EA (MS)
Ana Magda Guillen, EA (FL)
2001 Recipient Francis X. Degen, EA (NY)
2000 Recipient Carol Thompson, EA (CA)

The EA Mentor of the Year Award
The EA Mentor of the Year Award is given to a member who has contributed significantly and is dedicated to the causes of enrolled agents and who instills excitement for those causes by his or her leadership, encouragement, and nurturing of their fellow agents.

Year Winner
2023 Recipient Patrick Dimmitt, EA (IN)
2022 Recipient Tynisa Gaines, EA
2021 Recipient John Warren, EA, NTPIF
2020 Recipient Angela Radic, EA
2019 Recipient Raven Deerwater, EA (CA)
2018 Recipient David M. Fogel, EA, CPA, USTCP (CA)
2017 Recipient Deborah J. Cope, EA (TX)
2016 Recipient Don Overstreet, EA (NC)
2014 Recipient Rose Fulton, EA (CA)
2013 Recipient Gary Anspach, EA (CA)
2012 Recipient Not Awarded
2011 Recipient Sherrill Trovato, EA, USTCP (CA)
2010 Recipient Nancy E. Goedecke, EA (MA)
2009 Recipient Lorraine L. Sorgman, EA (MA)
2008 Recipient Marty Stein, EA (NJ)
2007 Recipient Faye Touchet, EA (LA)
2006 Recipient Diana M. Thompson, EA (OH)
2005 Recipient Mary McGuire, EA (NY)
2004 Recipient Francis X. Degen, EA (NY)
2003 Recipient Sharon-Kay Flynn, EA (MA)
2002 Recipient Kirby Robinson, EA (CA)
2001 Recipient Aaron Jim Reames, EA (VA) (Deceased)
2000 Recipient Eduardo Leiseca, EA (FL)

The Outstanding Volunteer Award
The Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes volunteers for their service to the association, affiliates, and/or their local chapter.

Year Winner
2023 Recipient Marilyn Brodeur, EA (MA)
2022 Recipient Angela Radic, EA
2021 Recipient Cynthia A. Leachmoore, EA, NTPIF
2020 Recipient Phyllis Jo Kubey,EA
2019 Recipient Bernadette Antonelli, EA (NJ)
2018 Recipient Bill Nemeth, EA (GA)
2017 Recipient Nancy E. Lyman, EA (VT)
2016 Recipient Pat Jenkins, EA (NM)
2015 Recipient Hart Fetsko, EA (OH)
2014 Recipient Deborah Cope, EA (TX)
2013 Recipient Victoria McGinn, EA (NY)
2012 Recipient Lee Byrd, EA (KY)
2011 Recipient Marti Myers-Garver, EA (NV)
2010 Recipient Jerry L. Joyce, EA (FL)
2009 Recipient David M. Levine, EA (NV)
2008 Recipient Connie Ferrell, EA (CA)
Jill Mendenhall, EA (CA)
2007 Recipient William Matesevac, EA (PA)
2006 Recipient Not Awarded
2005 Recipient Sherry Loop, EA (VA)
2004 Recipient Jerry Joyce, EA (FL)
2003 Recipient Mary L. Javor, EA (MI)
2002 Recipient Elizabeth (Betsey) Buckingham, EA (OH)
2001 Recipient Carol Halvorson, EA (MN)
2000 Recipient Sandra March, EA (CA)

The Outstanding Supporter of EAs Award
Outstanding Supporter of EAs Award is to recognize significant contributions by non-NAEA organizations or individuals who are not enrolled agents having immediate and/or long-term impact on making “Enrolled Agents” and “EA” more readily recognizable nationally, regionally, or locally as the tax professionals of choice.

Year Winner
2023 Recipient Derek Ganter
2022 Recipient Senator Rob Portman
2021 Recipient Not Awarded
2020 Recipient Kelly Phillips Erb
2019 Recipient Ms. Nonie Manion (NY)
2018 Recipient Assemblyman, Mr. William Magnarelli (NY)
2017 Recipient David L. “Dave” Ramsey (TN)
2016 Recipient Chris Davis (MA)
2015 Recipient Frank Agostino, Esq. (NJ)
2014 Recipient Debra A. Collins (NM)
2013 Recipient Ilyce Glink
2012 Recipient Honorable Juan Vasquez
2011 Recipient Gigi Thompson Jarvis, CAE
2010 Recipient Catherine A. Apker, CAE
2009 Recipient LeAnne “Sam” Matlick, CAE
2008 Recipient Michael Chesman,
Fumio Otaki (Japan)
2007 Recipient Jeffery S. Trinca
2006 Recipient Robert Kerr
2005 Recipient Susan Zuber, CAE
2004 Recipient Steve Stephenson-Santa Fe Small Business Development Center
2003 Recipient LA Senator Fred Hoyt
Eul-Sool (Henry) Park, CPA
2002 Recipient HD Vest Financial Services
2001 Recipient Not Awarded
2000 Recipient Janet B. Bray, CAE

The Bill Payne Advocacy Award
William D. “Bill” Payne, EA, passed away in 2010, and this award was created in his honor. Bill generously donated his time and efforts to NAEA and was steadfastly dedicated to protecting the rights of EAs before Congress. This annual award, named in Bill’s honor, recognizes the NAEA member who best exemplifies Bill’s commitment of legislative advocacy at the state, local, and/or national level in front of any governing authority on behalf of enrolled agents.

 

Year Winner
2022 Recipient Kesha Dawson Harris, EA, NTPIF
2021 Recipient Twila D. Midwood, EA, NTPIF
2020 Recipient Not Awarded
2019 Recipient Janet Vick, EA (NV)
2018 Recipient Vickie Ferrantello, EA (TX)
2017 Recipient Jennifer MacMillan, EA (CA)
2016 Recipient Gary Anspach, EA (CA)
2015 Recipient Phyllis Jo Kubey, EA (NY)
2014 Recipient Lonnie Gary, EA, USTCP (CA)
2013 Recipient Francis X. Degen, EA, USTCP (NY)
2012 Recipient Vicki Mulak, EA (CA)
2011 Recipient Alexander B. Thomson, EA (VA)
2010 Recipient William D. “Bill” Payne (posthumous)

The Emerging Leader Award
The “Emerging Leaders” Award is to recognize a member who shows strong promise in future NAEA leadership, has made significant contributions to the association and the community, and has demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service. To be eligible for this award, the person must be a current NAEA member in good standing and must be under 40 years old, OR they must have been in the profession 5 years or less.

Year Winner
2023 Recipient Dannie Lynn Murphy, EA (WA)
2022 Recipient Jill M. Ping, EA
2021 Recipient LuSundra G. Everett, EA, NTPIF
2020 Recipient Krystal Ancar, EA
2019 Recipient Not Awarded
2018 Recipient Tracey Ann Gordineer, EA (GA)
2017 Recipient Lori Carpenter, EA (IN)
2016 Recipient Trish Evenstad, EA
2015 Recipient Aaron Blau, EA, CPA (AZ)