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 2024 Winners – Suzanne Darling, Kelmar Tom McAnespie, NH

 

“With almost 40 years of unclaimed property experience, Suzanne has seen a lot of changes in the unclaimed world and has been one of its biggest advocates and a great contributor to where we are today.” 

“Tom spent over 2 decades in unclaimed property, dedicated to process improvement and advocating for claimants. As the Director of NH Abandoned Property, he led with how he did anything; with strength, yet compassion.”

Kelly Kuracina
New York
2023
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 2024 Winner – Patti Wilson, WA 

“With this award we honor her legacy as we mourn the loss of a truly remarkable individual who dedicated her career to unclaimed property at both the state and national levels. Her career in state government and our organization is a testament to her unwavering commitment to public service. Her passion, knowledge, kindness, and servant leadership were a guiding light for all of us,”

Danielle Anthony
Nevada
2023
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 Coming Award

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

Congratulations to our 2024 Winner – Ashton Kulavic, Chief of Unclaimed Property, Illinois

“Laura’s work as the Communications Committee chair and her enthusiasm and passion for unclaimed property make her a very well deserving winner of this award.”

Laura Hudson
Maine
2023
Jeff Chetkauskas
Maine
2022

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 2024 Winner – Jeremy Katz, Audit Services, US, LLC

“Jeremy Katz is a long time NAUPA affiliate who is always responsive to state and NAUPA requests. Most recently his dedication to service was exemplified in his leadership creating a service project to give back to the communities we visit at our conference, starting here in Pittsburgh with at a local diaper bank and raising over $13,000 dollars for the organization.”

Charles Hellman
Kroll Government Solutions
2023
Suzanne Darling
Kelmar Associates, LLC
2022

Committee Awards

2023:
Communications – Christina Lambert, MA 
Education – Michael Myers, AL
Fraud – Juan Gonzalez, IL
Legal – Tim Cullen, Kelmar
State Auditors – Josh Wood, AR
Uniformity – Scott Thomas, Gentax
Virtual Currency – Lynden Lyman, Kelmar

Service to State

2023:
Eastern Region – James Hackman, MD
Midwestern Region – Corey Wilson, IN
Southern Region – Theresa Gartner, NC
Western Region – Barbie Proffitt, WA

Innovator Award

2023 :

Louisiana for ‘The Great Employee Give Back of 2023’