2010 Award Winners: Volunteers who go the extra mile
To all of these outstanidng volunteers, congratulations, and thank you. We look forward to your continued involvement in 2011 and beyond!
Pulaski Award/Special 15th Anniversary Award: Michael Hutton Michael is honored for most RFOV projects in a season (11). A crew leader since RFOV's inception, Michael also volunteered as an instructor at both crew leader trainings and at the Stone Steps Skills Seminar at Hanging Lake. He currently serves on the Crew Leader Development Committee. Michael is also teh recipient of a special 15th Anniversary service award. One of RFOV's founders in 1995, Michael joined the Board of Directors as Secretary, trained to be a crew leader, and helped organize our first ropjects. He has chaired the Project Selection Committee and sersved on commmitteese responsible for managing the Adopt-A-Trail Pram and organzing crew leader trainings
New Crew Leader of the Year: Gail Mason
Building on a strong foundation of RFOV trail work experience that began in 2007 through the Aspen Cycling Club, Gail began her crew leader training in 2008. She consistently volunteered as an assistant crew leader through 2009. With many hours of on-the-ground-training, she began leading her own crews last season, heading up volunteers on six projects.
Crew Leader of the Year: Jamin Heady-Smith
Since he first volunteered in 2006 for National Trails Day, Jamin has gotten more involved with RFOV, becoming a crew leader in 2007 and technical advisor to help with project design and management in 2009. In 2010, Jamin led crews on three projects, served as a T.A. for one project, and instructed at Crew Leader Training and at the Stone Steps Skills Seminar. Off the trail, Jamin chairs the Crew Leader Development Committee.
Charlie Eckart, Volunteer of the Year
With nearly 40 completed trail projects over the years, Charlie remains very active as a crew leader, and serves on the Town to Town Tour Committee and as chair of the Project Selection Committee. He has been with RFOV since 1996. Including the evening projects, Charlie led crews on nine projects in 2010.
Trail Steward of the Year: David Guinnee
This award recognizes volunteers who have made a contribution over many years. David began volunteering with RFOV in 2003 when he lived in the valley, and didn’t stop when he moved 100 miles west to Grand Junction! David continues to provide guidance as a crew leader, and volunteered on six projects as well as the Stone Steps Skills Seminar at Hanging Lake in 2010. He typically works at least four projects per season.
Jon Thompson, U.S. Forest Service, Agency Partner of the Year
Jon (not pictured) was central in planning four trail projects on Forest Service land in 2010. Year to year, he has helped ensure the success of many of RFOV's projects. What really made Jon stand out in 2010 was his personal support. When a long-time volunteer fell ill on a project, Jon personally drove the volunteer from the American Lake Trailhead to the hospital in Glenwood Springs, then followed up with a phone call while on vacation to inquire about the volunteer’s health.
