Recognizing excellence in unclaimed property administration
Each year, the NAUPA Executive Committee seeks nominees from State Treasurers, treasury and network staff, and Corporate Affiliates for the following awards to be given out during the NAUPA Annual Conference at the Treasury Management Training Symposium. The Executive Committee selects award winners from all the candidates nominated.
NAUPA Lifetime Achievement Award
The NAUPA Lifetime Achievement Award is the association’s highest honor, presented to individuals who have worked diligently in the unclaimed property arena for many years. Recipients have excelled in their careers inside and outside of their state or corporate boundaries.
Congratulations to our 2025 Winner – Phillip Carlton, FL
“Phillip has over 30 years of compliance experience with their state, including over 22 years with unclaimed property. Over their career they have served in various NAUPA leadership roles including Regional VP and Chair of the Education Committee. They are a pillar to the NAUPA Community with their ongoing support and sharing of knowledge through various communications including presenting at countless speaking events.“
Walter T. Graham Presidential Distinguished Service Award
Recipients of this award have demonstrated superior service and dedication to the association’s mission and goals—based on time, effort, and willingness to contribute wherever needed.
Congratulations to our 2025 Winner – Walter Graham, FL
“Walter sadly passed away this year, but he left an indelible impact on our industry. A fierce defender of our consumer protection programs, Walter’s work in our field began in 2001. He was a champion in achieving compliance from the life insurance industry and contributed throughout our association including his term as president and receiving our lifetime achievement award. This former Presidential Distinguished Service Award has been renamed in his memory so his contributions may never be forgotten.“
NAUPA UP and Coming Award
Recipients of this award will be new staff who jump in and get involved with the organization.
Congratulations to our 2025 Winner – Catherine Hom, WA
“Cathy serves as the Chair of the NAUPA Fraud Committee. Cathy’s dedicated work to help states ensure property is protected for the rightful owner has been invaluable. Her bubbly personality welcoming fraud fighters to our monthly meetings doesn’t diminish the unrelenting dedication and persistence she has towards investigation and pursuing justice.”
NAUPA Corporate Affiliate Award
Recipients of this award will be corporate affiliates who have partnered with our association to demonstrate the superior services that come from public/private partnerships and foster cooperation towards the association’s mission and goals.
Congratulations to our 2025 Winner – Joseph Marcelonis, Kroll Government Solutions
“Joe has over 26 years of experience handling unclaimed property matters, starting with the ACS Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse and now serving as the primary contact for Kroll clients. Joe is an expert in our field, always ready to answer state questions and regularly presenting trainings on unclaimed property and how to return more funds back to citizens. He currently represents NAUPA as a member of the Corporate Affiliate Advisory Board for NAST.”
Committee Awards
2024:
Communications – Susan Wagner from Ohio
Education – Gary Joseph from Discovery Audit Services
Fraud – Corey Wilson from Indiana
Legal – Charles Hellman from Kroll Government Solutions
State Auditors – Brian Beck from Utah
Uniformity – Ken Wagers from Kelmar
Virtual Currency – Eric Eichler from the District of Columbia
Service to State
2024:
Eastern Region – Erin Toole from New Brunswick
Midwest Region – Stephanie Ratliff from Illinois
Southern Region – Thomas Burchfield from Arkansas
Western Region – Ingrid Bolen from Idaho
Innovator Award
2024 :
Washington for ‘Action on Bank Accounts Linked to Fraudulent Unemployment Claims’
