A Network of the National Association of State Treasurers
A Network of the National Association of State Treasurers

About the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators

Awards and Recognition

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 2022 Winner – John DeMarco, COO, Kelmar Associates, LLC

“John has been a friend and partner to UCP divisions across the country for over 20 years. John’s leadership and forward thinking has helped advance the protection of consumer assets and has streamlined the process for states. From holder examinations to the creation of KAPS… John has been at the forefront of figuring out what states need to not only to do the job but to do the job in the best, easiest and most economical manner.”

John DeMarco
Kelmar Associates, LLC
2022
G. Allen Mayer
Illinois
2021
Kathleen Lobell
Louisiana
2020
David Milby
Avenu Insight & Analytics
2019
Hon. Don Stenberg
Nebraska
2018
John Gabriel
Tennessee
2017
Ken Wagers
Kelmar Associates
2017
Walter Graham
Florida
2016
Carolyn C. Atkinson
West Virginia
2015
Allen Martin
North Carolina
2015
Rachel Lewis
Alaska
2013
Hon. John D. Perdue
West Virginia
2012
William F. Slade
Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse
2012
Hon. Michael D. Fitzgerald
Iowa
2011
Laywon Boatner
Texas
2009
Valerie M. Jundt
North Dakota
2008
Lynden Lyman
The Unclaimed Advisor
2008
Barbara Rice
South Carolina
2008
Benny Spann
Louisiana
2008
Vicki D. Bridgeman
Virginia
2007
Robert D. Krenkowitz
New Jersey
2007
Mel Kurman
New York
2007
Paula Y. Smith
Texas
2007
Patrick Tate
Oregon
2007
Elaine Walker
Texas
2007
Patty White
Colorado
2006
David J. Epstein
Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse
2000
R. Terry Allen
North Carolina
2000
Marcella Easly
Oregon
1999
Judy Franchi
Massachusetts
1999
Vivian E. Herbert
Virginia
1998
Mark Cavanagh
Massachusetts
1998
Lorin Nielsen
Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse
1997

NAUPA 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 2022 Winner – Kathy Janes, Director of Unclaimed Property, Oklahoma

“Kathy is an exemplary public servant whose sunny personality and knowledge make her an asset to every meeting. She has been a leader in NAUPA for many years, serving most recently as it’s Secretary/Treasurer as well as a leader in the States Unclaimed Retirement Clearinghouse and Missingmoney initiatives.”

Kathy Janes
Oklahoma
2022
Kathleen Lobell
Louisiana
2021
Mark William Bracken
Massachusetts
2020
Allen Martin
North Carolina
2019
Carolyn Atkinson
West Virginia
2017
Phillip Carlton
Florida
2016
John Gabriel
Tennessee
2015
Hon. Don Stenberg
Nebraska
2014
Stephen Larson
Iowa
2013
Scott McGregor
South Dakota
2012
Betty Martin
Alaska
2011
G. Allen Mayer
Illinois
2010
Hon. Beth Pearce
Vermont
2009
Barbara Rice
South Carolina
2008
Nancy Russell
Wyoming
2007
Ron Schubin
New York
2006
Hon. Jeb Spaulding
Vermont
2005
George Tamayo
Texas
2003
Patrick Tate
Oregon
2002

NAUPA UP and Comer Award

Recipients of this award will be new staff who jump in and get involved with the organization.

Congratulations to our inaugural 2022 Winner – Jeff Chetkauskas, Asst. Director of Internal Operations, Maine

“Jeff is the epitome of the best of the best in state government. Jeff started his career in public finance with OST in early 2001 as an accounting clerk and has worked his way up from Accounting Technician to his current position of Assistant Director of Internal Operations. Although having been in Unclaimed Property a relatively short time, Jeff has made an impact in his role leading the Education Committee. He definitely “jumped right in” revitalizing the Education Committee, planning webinars and participating in TMTS programming.”

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 inaugural 2022 Winner – Suzanne Darling, Associate General Counsel, Kelmar Associates, LLC

“Suzanne has a storied career in unclaimed property as both administrator and acting on behalf of state programs through her career at Kelmar, weekly Legislative Alert, and ongoing participation in the NAUPA Legal Committee.”