Founders Award

The first Founders Awards were presented on August 28, 2008 at the 2009 Conference in Sacramento. With approval of the E-Board, Jim Howell and a supporting committee initiated this program that has become an annual event designed to recognize MSA members who have performed outstanding service to the MSA, their communities and/or a heroic act. There is also a category for chapter excellence.

Any member in good standing may nominate anyone or any Chapter for the Founders Award. Nomination forms and criteria for the nominations are available on this webpage. Nominations are limited to one nomination per chapter. Deadline for nominations is May 1st. The first Founders Awards were presented on August 28, 2008 at the 2009 Conference in Sacramento. With approval of the E-Board, Jim Howell and a supporting committee initiated this program that has become an annual event designed to recognize MSA members who have performed outstanding service to the MSA, their communities and/or a heroic act. There is also a category for chapter excellence. Any member in good standing may nominate anyone or any Chapter for the Founders Award. Nomination forms and criteria for the nominations are available on this webpage. Nominations are limited to one nomination per chapter. Deadline for nominations is May 1st.

Founders Award Recipient List

2021 - None

2020 - None

2019

Gerard Batista, LA/OA Chapter, City of Duarte

Jeff Welchman, City of Roseville

2018

James Devoy, LA/OA Chapter, City of Norwalk (Retired)

Tsutomu Imamura, San Mateo - Retired

 2017

Troy Wittenbrock, LA/OA Chapter, City of Duarte

Dewanye Johnson, SFBA Chapter, San Mateo County 

 Kirby Brock, NCV Chapter, City of Palo Alto (Retired(

2015

Gene Viramontes, LA/OA Chapter, City of Fullerton (Retired)

Shawn Nesgis, SFBA Chapter, Union Sanitary District 

2014

Michelle Olinger Jolly, LA/OA Chapter, Retired

Ed Stevens, City of Mesa, AZ

Jerry Dankbar, North Central Valley Chapter, City of Roseville

Terry McCarthy, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, Du-All Safety

2013

Ken Boyce, LA/OA Chapter, City of Carson


Doug Blackstock, San Diego Chapter, City of Del Mar

Michael LaRocca, SFBA Chapter, Town of Los Gatos

Jim Montenegro, Redwood Empire Chapter, City of Santa Rosa

Adin Selby, North Central Valley Chapter, City of Galt

Curtis Yardley, Arizona Chapter, Town of Gilbert AZ

2012

Bill Ornelas, LA/OA Chapter, City of Rosemead (City of Duarte – retired)

Tom Borman, SFBA Chapter, Contra Costa County & City of Fairfield (retired)

Mario Flores, Arizona Chapter, Town of Gilbert AZ (retired)

Lee Miller, San Diego Chapter, Cannon Pacific Services

Lyle Waite, North Central Valley Chapter, City of Rocklin

2011

Walter Beltramo, SFBA Chapter, City of San Jose & Reed & Graham (retired)

Dave Bender, North Central Valley Chapter, City of Lodi

Randy Carnahan, Central Coast Chapter, County of Santa Barbara

Steven Cruz, Greater Ventura Area Chapter, City of Camarillo

Pat Ryan, San Diego Chapter, City of Poway

Jan Wange, Executive Board Nominee, Chapter Excellence, City of Chandler AZ (retired) – Executive Board Assistant

2010

Bill Lewis, LA/OA Chapter, PMI and City of Anaheim (retired)


Bob Morgenstern, Central and Greater Ventura Area Chapters, City of Goleta

Mark Powell, Redwood Empire Chapter, City of Santa Rosa

Chris Smith, Inland Empire/Desert Chapter, County of San Bernardino (retired)

2009

Geoff Cobbett, LA/OA Chapter, City of Placentia (retired)

Norman Hawkins, Jr., San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, Hawkins Traffic Supply

Dave Thomas, San Diego Chapter, Haaker Equipment

Lory Warren, Arizona Chapter, City of Oro Valley

San Francisco Bay Area Chapter for Chapter Excellence

2008

Mark Hosford, San Diego Chapter, City of Encinitas

Jerry Scott, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, City of Santa Clara (retired)

The Peter Walsh Award

The Peter W. Walsh Award is named in honor of Mr. Peter W. Walsh of Oakland, California, who donated the bronze sculpture to the MSA Executive Board in 1978. The sculpture was both designed and created by world-renowned bronze sculptor Ronald Herron of Helena, Montana. This beautifully handcrafted sculpture depicts the variety of work activities that a Maintenance Superintendent may encounter during the course of an average workday.

The Peter W. Walsh Award is the MSA Executive Board's premier and most prestigious annual award, which is bestowed upon one member from among the various chapters that make up the MSA. Each year, the Board encourages the individual chapters to select a member that best fulfills the established award criteria and to submit a nomination form to the Board for consideration. A Board committee reviews the nominations and the best-qualified and most deserving individual is selected for the award. The highly coveted award is presented by the Executive Board President to the recipient on the last night at the annual conference during the dinner dance.

The established Board criteria for this award include the following:

• Work History: jobs, length of employment
• Public Service
• Service Awards
• Education
• Public Career Accomplishments
• Community Involvement
• Professional Organizations
• Service Clubs
• Commissions
• Service to the Chapter: length of time, offices held, etc.
• Personal Background: marital status, children, hobbies, etc.
  
  

Past Recipients

Phil Studebaker Member of the Year

In 1978, the Los Angeles and Orange Area Chapter chose to recognize one member on an annual basis for exceptional accomplishment and effort in promoting the Association in its cause at the chapter level. The "Member of the Year Award" was officially established by the Board of Directors to recognize this member. In 2001, the Board of Directors revised the name of the award to the "Phil Studebaker Member of the Year Award" in honor of Mr. Phil Studebaker, one of the founders of the Maintenance Superintendents Association.

An award criterion was established to ensure that the individual chosen to receive the award has already contributed valued accomplishments, and exhibits enthusiasm and eagerness at the chapter level. Examples of the criterion include involvement in the areas of education and programs, administration, special promotions, and committees. Deserving nominees must also have spent time serving his/her own community, such as participation in service clubs, church activities, or youth and/or senior organizations.

The current president selects the new award recipient from nominations submitted by the Board of Directors. The individual nominated does not know of the award until he/she receives it at the Annual Officer Installation Luncheon, in July of each year.

The past recipients of this award are members who were instrumental in the progress and success of the Chapter. Their long-term service, dedication, and contributions have set them apart and have proven them to be deserving of this award.

Member of the Year Recipient List

2021: Gerard Batista, City of Duarte

2020: None

2019: Joe Dillman, City of Irvine

2018: Abel Hernandez, City of Bell

2017: Mark Esquer; Orange County Sanitation District

2017: Keith Hinckley: City of Newport Beach

2017: Patty Pena: City of San Gabriel

2017: Ray Valenzuela; City of Long Beach

2016: Inez Alvarez; City of Norwalk

2015: Bill Ornelas; City of Duarte (Retired)

2014: None

2013: Troy Wittenbrock; City of Duarte

2013: Will Wenz; City of Brea

2012: Carolyn Melanson; City of Garden Grove

2011: Bob Moungey; City Of Garden Grove

2010: Ken Boyce; City Of Carson (retired)

2009: Ken Boyce; City Of Carson (retired)

2009: Carolyn Melanson; City Of Garden Grove

2008: Troy Wittenbrock; City Of Duarte

2007: James Devoy; City Of Norwalk

2006: Dave Thompson; City Of Arcadia

2005: Gene Viramontes; City Of Fullerton

2005: Geoff Cobbett; City Of Placentia (retired)

2004: Fullmer Chapman; City Of La Canada Flintridge (retired)

2003: Juan Price; City Of Manhattan Beach

2003: Steve Esbenshade; City Of Duarte

2002: Dave Torres; City Of South Gate

2001: Geoff Cobbett; City Of Placentia

2000: Bob Aronson; City Of Long Beach

1999: Keith Jones; City Of Garden Grove

1998: Keith Jones; City Of Garden Grove

1998: Geoff Cobbett; City Of Placentia

1997: Richard A. Urban; City Of Pasadena

1996: Andy Montoya; City Of Inglewood

1995: Louie H. Pedroza, Jr.; City Of Azusa

1994: William Ornelas; City Of Duarte

1993: Louis Vecchione; City Of Anaheim

1992: Geoff Cobbett; City Of Placentia

1991: Louis Vecchione; City Of Anaheim

Joe Granato Vendor of the Year

In 1985, the Los Angeles and Orange Area Chapter chose to honor one vendor member on an annual basis to recognize the individual who best represented his/her company and who demonstrated continuous support to the Association. In 2000, the Board of Directors revised the name of the award to the "The Joe Granato Vendor of the Year Award" in honor and in memory of long-time vendor member, Mr. Joe Granato.

An award criterion was established to ensure that the most worthy individual is selected for both the recognition and award. The award recognizes vendor members who have displayed service to the chapter through educational exhibits, special programs, and personal and active involvement during the year. The current president selects the new award recipient from nominations submitted by the Board of Directors. The individual selected does not know of the award until he/she receives it at the Annual Officer Installation Luncheon, in July of each year.

Duke Peterman, of The Suppliers, was the first individual to receive the "Vendor of the Year Award." Mr. Peterman received the award on June 15, 1985.

 Vendor of the Year Recipient List