New Professional Award Recipients

The future of parks and recreation is bright — and this award celebrates those lighting the way. The New Professional Award recognizes individuals who have worked full time in the field for five years or fewer, but whose dedication to their agency, community, and mParks already sets them apart.

1993
Marda Hinkley - Battle Creek

1994
Tessie Pitses - Wayne County

1995
Theresa Florian - Kentwood

1996
Renee Johnson-Otote - Flint

1997
Jim Dunleavy – Oakland Co.

1998
Ron Davis - Oxford Twp.
Bruce Ross - Van Buren Twp.

1999
Jennifer Schnefke - Oak Park

2000
Pam Kirbach - H.C.M.A.

2001
Michael Boyd – Oakland Co.

2002
John Judnich - Grand Rapids

2003
Kate Schumann – Huntington Wds.

2004
Nancy Cowan – W. Bloomfield
Liz Kaczmarek – Clinton Twp.

2005
Jon LaFever - Canton Twp.
Phil Castonia - Oxford Twp.

2006
Kelly Hyer – Independence Twp
Emily Stevens – Lansing

2007
Marcella Corp Post – Clare

2007
Kyle Langlois – Sterling Heights

2008
Adrienne Schumacher – Holland

2008
April Heier – Clinton Twp

2009
Jason Jones – Grand Traverse Co

2009
Cristin Spiller – Oak Park Recreation

2010
Ann Shaw – City of Marysville
Greg Grothous – Meridian Twp

2011
Drew Burns - Van Buren Twp.

2012
Maia Stephens – Michigan DNR

2013
Ken Grybel – SELCRA

2014
Matt Pardy – Oakland County

2015
Tami Letcavage – Clinton Twp.

2016
Jodi Ackerman – Lansing
Kara Hardenbrook – Grosse Pointe Farms

2017
Kelley Marcaccio – Oakland County

2018
Jeff Johns – Independence Township

2019
Laura Mortier – Canton

2020
Michele Vannerson – Chesterfield

2021
William Keppen – Livonia
Keith Kooperman – Saline

2022
Brittany Trout - West Bloomfield
Hannah Meli - Farmington Hills

2023
Ethan Engel - Livonia

2024
Adam Abraham - New Baltimore
Andre Harris - Detroit

2025
George Cardaris - Redford Township
Marissa Russo - Sterling Heights