Awards

Hiram M. Chittenden Award for Interpretive Excellence
The Hiram M. Chittenden Award for Excellence in Interpretation recognizes the superb interpretive efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's interpreter of the year. It also recognizes interpretive accomplishments of district and division award winners.

The selection process starts at the local district level. Several districts comprise each division. Division winners are selected from among district winners, and the Interpreter of the Year is selected from among the division winners and receives the Hiram M. Chittenden Award.

Hiram Chittenden was a renowned U.S. Army officer, engineer, author and historian. For more information click here. For History of the Chittenden Award, click here.

2024 Nominees:

• Emily Jones Wilmington, South Atlantic (Award Winner)
• Briana Edwards ,
• Jeanette Johnson ,
• Kim Russell ,
• Megan Sleeper Portland,
• Paige Laughhunn ,

2023 Nominees:

• Tamryn Frauenshuh , (Award Winner)
• Katie Payne (NWD Regional Winner) ,
• Matthew Jones (SWD Regional Winner) ,

2022 Nominees:

• Viola Bramel New England, North Atlantic (Award Winner)
• Ashley Florey ,
• Tom Bookholtz ,

2021 Nominees:

• Timothy C. Bischoff St Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Andrew Huddleston , NWD
• Chelsea Jones , SPD
• Michelle Brigg , LRD

2020 Nominees:

• Amanda L. Kruse St. Louis, (Award Winner)
• George McBroom Natural Resources Specialist, Carters Lake, Chatsworth, GA, Mobile, SAD
• John Thibodeaux Natural Resource Specialist, Ball Mountain & Townsend Lakes, Jamaica, VT, New England, NAD
• Robert D. Buck Natural Resources Specialist, Lake Barkley, Grand Rivers, KY, Nashville, LRD

2019 Nominees:

• Amber Tilton Portland, Northwest (Award Winner)
• Aaron Boswell Park Ranger, McClellen-Kerr Project  Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR, Little Rock, SWD
• Blake Johnson Natural Resources Specialist, B. Everett Jordan Lake, Moncure, NC, WilmingtonLRD,
• Grace Trimble Natural Resources Specialist, Upper Tuscarawas Project, Mineral City, OH, Huntington, LRD

2018 Nominees:

• Shawna Polen Tulsa, Southwestern (Award Winner)

2017 Nominees:

• Cassie Magsig St. Louis, Mississippi Valley (Award Winner)
• Chris (Scott) Hannah Natural Resource Management Specialist, Stonewall Jackson Lake, Weston, WV, Pittsburgh, LRD

2016 Nominees:

• Tammy Cleveland Baltimore, North Atlantic (Award Winner)
• Martha (Renea) Guin Natural Resources Specialist, DeGray Lake, Arkadelphia, AR, Vicksburg, MVD
• Montgomery Biggs Park Ranger, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Cascade Locks, OR, Portland, NWD

2015 Nominees:

• Tracy Spry Natural Resources Specialist, Lake Red Rock, Knoxville, IL, Rock Island, MVD (Award Winner)
• Arthur G. Barragan Park Ranger, Hensley Lake, Raymond, CA, Sacramento, SPD
• Karla J. Zeutenhorst Park Ranger, Gavins Point, Yankton, SD, Omaha, NWD
• Michelle L. Briggs Park Ranger, Soo Locks, Sault Sainte Marie, MI, Detroit, LRD

2014 Nominees:

• Erin A. Hilligoss-Volkmann Natural Resources Specialist, Rivers Project/ National Great Rivers Museum, Alton, IL, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Brooke S. Kervin Natural Resources Specialist, Millwood Lake, Ashdown, Arkansas, Little Rock, SWD
• Will T. Rutter Park Ranger, Deer Creek Lake, Mount Sterling, Ohio, Huntington, LRD

2013 Nominees:

• Ryan C. Braaten Park Ranger, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Portland, NWD (Award Winner)
• Adam D. Taylor Natural Resource Specialist, Park Ranger, Rough River Lake, Falls of Rough, Kentucky, Louisville, LRD
• Elizabeth Anderson Natural Resource Specialist, Park Ranger, Waco Lake, Waco, Texas, Ft. Worth, SWD
• Juanita Souther Park Ranger, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir, Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Lakes Branch, Wilmington, SAD
• Kimberly G. Rea Supervisory Natural Resource Specialist, Rivers Project, West Alton, Missouri, St. Louis, MVD

2012 Nominees:

• Kathy A. Dickson Park Ranger, Wappapello Lake, Wappapello, Missouri, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Amber C. Tilton Park Ranger, The Dalles Lock and Dam, The Dalles, Oregon, Portland, NWD
• Elisa D. Carey Natural Resource Specialist, Cape Cod Canal, Buzzards Bay Massachusetts, New England, NAD
• Juanita Souther Park Ranger, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir, Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Lakes Branch, Wilmington, SAD

2011 Nominees:

• Rachel J. Garren Natural Resource Specialist, St. Louis, Missouri, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Brooke S. Kervin Natural Resource Specialist, Millwood Lake, Ashdown, Arkansas, Little Rock, SWD
• Carmen B. Boyette Natural Resource Specialist, Lakes Branch, North Carolina, Wilmington, SAD
• Emily R. Potter Natural Resource Specialist (Park Ranger), Youghiogheny River Lake, Confluence, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, LRD
• Karen W. Hoey Park Ranger, Hopkinton-Everett Lakes, Hopkinton, New Hampshire, New England, NAD
• Robert J. Martin Natural Resource Specialist, Pipestem Lake, Garrison Project Office, Riverdale, North Dakota, Omaha, NWD

2010 Nominees:

• Kim Hammel Park Ranger, Carlyle Lake, Carlyle, Illinois, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Jolene M. Hulsing Natural Resource Specialist, Missouri River Project, Omaha, Nebraska, Omaha, NWD
• Keith Anne Nuckles Natural Resource Specialist, Sutton Lake, Sutton, West Virginia, Huntington, LRD
• Phillip Martinez Park Ranger, Abiquiu Lake, Abiquiu, New Mexico, Albuquerque, SPD
• Stephen Patchkofsky Environmental Compliance Coordinator, Naugatuck River Basin, Middlebury, Connecticut, New England, NAD

2009 Nominees:

• Robin C. Norris Natural Resource Specialist, Park Ranger, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington, Portland, NWD (Award Winner)
• Allison Smedley Natural Resource Specialist, Russellville Project, Russellville, Arkansas, Little Rock, SWD
• Don C. Headlee Park Ranger, John Martin Reservoir, Hasty, Colorado, Albuquerque, SPD
• Jeff Toler Supervisory Natural Resource Specialist, Stonewall Jackson Lake, Weston, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, LRD
• Kathy Dickson Park Ranger, Wappapello Lake Project Office, Wappapello, Missouri, St. Louis, MVD
• Tom Chamberland Park Ranger, East Brimfield/Westville Lake and Conant Brook Dam, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, New England, NAD

2008 Nominees:

• Andrew E. Jefferson Sr. Natural Resource Specialist, Park Ranger, Wappapello Lake, Missouri, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Crystal A. Baughman Park Ranger, Chief Joseph Dam and Rufus Woods Lake, Bridgeport, Washington, Seattle, NWD
• Dana L. Matics Natural Resource Specialist, Park Ranger, Falls Lake, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Wilmington, SAD
• Judy J. Scott Recreation Specialist, Capital Regional Office, Belton, Texas, Ft. Worth, SWD
• Kimberly K. Baker Natural Resource Specialist, Park Ranger, Caesar Creek Lake, Miami River Project, Waynesville, Ohio, Louisville, LRD
• Marci M. Montrose Natural Resource Specialist, Park Ranger, Naugatuck River Basin, Hop Brook Lake, Middlebury, Connecticut, New England, NAD

2007 Nominees:

• David R. Weiss Park Ranger, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington, Portland, NWD (Award Winner)
• Dawn M. Kovarik Park Ranger (Natural Resource Specialist), Rend Lake, Illinois, St. Louis, MVD
• John W. Wargo Park Ranger, Alum Creek Lake, Ohio, Huntington, LRD
• Kathleen J. Grim Park Ranger, Blue Marsh Lake, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, NAD
• Murray W. McCarley Park Ranger, Belton Lake & Stillhouse Hollow Lakes, Texas, Ft. Worth, SWD

2006 Nominees:

• J. Patrick Barry Supervisory Park Ranger, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington, Portland, NWD (Award Winner)
• Brian C. Westfall Outreach Park Ranger, DeGray Lake, Arkansas, Vicksburg, MVD
• Diana J. Errico-Topolski Park Ranger, Hop Brook Lake, Middlebury, Connecticut, New England, NAD
• Don Headlee Park Ranger, John Martin Reservoir, Colorado, Albuquerque, SPD
• Dr. John “Bill” Keienburg Natural Resources Specialist (Ranger) , Somerville Lake, Texas, Ft. Worth, SWD
• Lisa A. Freeman Park Ranger, Taylorsville Lake, Kentucky, Louisville, LRD

2005 Nominees:

• Mary Anne Heitmeyer Park Ranger, Mark Twain Lake, Missouri, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Craig Rockwell Natural Resource Management Specialist, Lower Granite Lake, Washington, Walla Walla, NWD
• Jeff Boutwell Recreation Specialist, Waco Lake, Texas, Ft. Worth, SWD
• Lawrence Spisak Lock and Dam Operator, Point Marion Lock and Dam, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, LRD
• Samantha Mirabella Park Ranger, Cape Cod Canal, Bourne, Massachusetts, New England, NAD

2004 Nominees:

• Timothy C. Bischoff Park Ranger, Rend Lake, Illinois, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Claudia J. Round Park Ranger, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington, Portland, NWD
• Phillip Martinez Park Ranger, Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico, Albuquerque, SPD
• Randall J. Becker Forester, Little Rock, SWD
• Roxanne P. Barbeau North Hartland Lake, Vermont, New England, NAD
• Susan E. Kline Outdoor Recreation Planner, Pittsburgh, LRD

2003 Nominees:

• Gregory A. Miller Natural Resource Management Specialist, Kansas City, NWD (Award Winner)
• Joseph B Kolodziej Burnsville Lake, West Virginia, Huntington, LRD
• Leah C. Morrow Mountain Home Project Office, Arkansas, Little Rock, SWD
• Michael B. Lapina Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia, Mobile, SAD
• Thomas O. Brooks Enid Lake Field Office, Mississippi, Vicksburg, MVD

2002 Nominees:

• Eric D. Gardner Park Ranger, Canyon Lake, Texas, Ft. Worth, SWD (Award Winner)
• Gregory A. Miller Natural Resource Management Specialist, Kansas City, NWD
• Kathleen J. Grim Park Ranger, Blue Marsh Lake, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, NAD
• Kelly D. Ulrick Park Ranger, Saylorville Lake Project, Iowa, Rock Island, MVD
• Michael B. Lapina Park Ranger, Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia, Mobile, SAD

2001 Nominees:

• S. Paige Cruz Park Ranger, Huntington, LRD (Award Winner)
• Allen P. Bland Park Ranger, Beaver Project Office, Arkansas, Little Rock, SWD
• Ernest E. Lentz Park Ranger, Arkabutla Lake, Mississippi, Vicksburg, MVD
• Greg A. Webb Park Ranger, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington, Portland, NWD
• Kathleen J. Grim Park Ranger, Blue Marsh Lake, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, NAD

2000 Nominees:

• Pamela Doty, St Park Ranger, Lake Shelbyville, Illinois, St. Louis, MVD (Award Winner)
• Greg A. Miller Outdoor Recreation Planner, Kansas City, NWD
• Greg Slarich Park Ranger, John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir, Virginia, Huntington, LRD
• Justin McBride Park Ranger, Lake Okeechobee, Florida, Jacksonville, SAD
• Kathleen J. Grim Park Ranger, Blue Marsh Lake, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, NAD

1999 Nominees:

• Craig Lykins Park Ranger, Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle, NWD (Award Winner)
• Belinda Byrns Park Ranger, Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas, Little Rock, SWD
• David R. Stiddem Park Manager, Buffumville Lake, Charlton, Massachusetts, New England, NAD

1998 Nominees:

• Carol J. Ryan Park Ranger, Gavins Point Dam, Lewis and Clark Lake, Nebraska and South Dakota, Omaha, NWD (Award Winner)
• Andrew Jefferson Interpretive Lead Park Ranger, Wappapello Lake, Missouri, St. Louis, MVD
• Kathleen J. Grim Park Ranger, Blue Marsh Lake, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, NAD
• Randall J. Becker Forester, Millwood Lake, Arkansas, Little Rock, SWD

1997 Nominees:

• Cynthia S. Samples Park Ranger, Albeni Falls Dam, Idaho and Washington, Seattle, NWD (Award Winner)
• Rick Magee Park Ranger, Tully Lake, Massachusetts, New England, NAD

1996 Nominees:

• Viola M. Bramel Park Ranger, West Hill Dam, Uxbridge, Massachusetts, New England, NAD (Award Winner)
• Dennis J. Wallace Park Ranger, Harry S Truman Dam, Missouri, Kansas City, NWD

1995 Nominees:

• David A. Dutton Park Ranger, Sardis Lake, Mississippi, Vicksburg, MVD (Award Winner)
• Dave A. Dankel Outdoor Recreation Planner, Walla Walla, NWD
• Roger F. Hagen Park Ranger, Cape Cod Canal, Bourne, Massachusetts, New England, NAD