AWARDS

How We Recognize Outstanding Achievement

How We Recognize
Outstanding Achievement

AFPAA Awards


Mike McRaney
Distinguished Service Award

Each year since 2000, AFPAA has presented its highest honor to an individual who has provided extraordinary and distinguished service to the Association.

In honor of the Distinguished Service Award's first recipient, Brig. Gen. Mike McRaney, the Association's founding President and Board Chairman and former director of SAF/PA, the award was renamed the "Mike McRaney Distinguished Service Award" in 2001.

To receive the award, awardees must receive unanimous approval from the Association's Board of Directors.

Award nominations can be made by any AFPAA member following these guidelines.

See the list of award winners.

Read Gen. McRaney's official Air Force biography.

Brig. Gen. James W. Hart, Jr.
Best of the Best Award

Since 1995, AFPAA has teamed with SAF/PA to recognize one outstanding individual as the "Best of the Best" from all nominated bandsmen, broadcasters, multimedia, and PA professionals. In 2017, the award was renamed the "Brig. Gen. James W. Hart, Jr. Best of the Best Award" in honor of AFPAA founder, second chairman, long time treasurer, and board member Jim Hart.

Selected on the basis of professional excellence and significant contributions to the Air Force mission, the winner receives an engraved trophy and $1,000 from AFPAA.

See the list of award winners.

Read about 2023's "Best of the Best" - Senior Airman Rachel VanZale.

Read Gen. Hart's official Air Force biography.

AFPAA President's
Award

The "AFPAA President's Award" is presented to individuals who are leaders in their particular field or who developed pioneering programs and policies that impact Air Force Public Affairs.

An individual does not have to be an AFPAA member to be considered for the President's Award.

Whether the person is active, retired, a civilian employee, or a community leader, what counts is the contribution he or she has made to the Public Affairs community.

To be selected, an individual must be nominated by the sitting AFPAA President, and then receive unanimous approval from all past-Presidents.

See the list of award winners.

Mike McRaney
Distinguished Service Award Recipients

  • 2000

  • Mike McRaney
  • 2001

  • Pete Alexandrakos
  • 2002

  • Alice Price
  • 2003

  • Neil Buttimer
  • 2004

  • David Shea
  • 2005

  • John Gura
  • 2006

  • David Schillerstrom
  • 2007

  • Joe Purka
  • 2008

  • John Terino
  • 2009

  • Linda Arnold
  • 2010

  • Ron Rand
  • 2011

  • David Smith
  • 2012

  • Sam Giammo
  • 2013

  • Hal Smarkola
  • 2014

  • Bud Ross
  • 2015

  • Jim McGuire and Hank Hufnagel
  • 2016

  • Mark Foutch
  • 2017

  • Jim Hart
  • 2018

  • Phil Ratliff
  • 2019

  • Judy Bivens
  • 2023

  • Art Forster

Brig. Gen. James W. Hart, Jr.
Best of the Best Award Recipients

Sr Amn Rachel VanZale
2023's Best of the Best
Sr Amn Rachel VanZale
  • 1994

  • Senior Airman James H. Cunningham III
  • 1995

  • Captain Brett E. Morris
  • 1996

  • Captain Michael J. Paoli
  • 1997

  • Staff Sergeant Anthony Jacob
  • 1998

  • Staff Sergeant William M. Hickman, Jr.
  • 1999

  • Major Frank Smolinsky
  • 2000

  • Captain John S. Haynes
  • 2001

  • Master Sergeant Kenneth E. Fidler
  • 2002

  • Lieutenant Colonel Stephen D. Clutter
  • 2003

  • Lieutenant Colonel Jon K. Anderson
  • 2004

  • Lieutenant Colonel Roger S. Murray
  • 2005

  • Senior Master Sergeant Stefan Alford
  • 2006

  • Technical Sergeant Tara A. O'Brien
  • 2007

  • Lieutenant Colonel John J. Thomas
  • 2008

  • Technical Sergeant Sean M. Worrell
  • 2009

  • Captain Joseph A. Coslett
  • 2010

  • Staff Sergeant Julianne M. Showalter
  • 2011

  • First Lieutenant Belena S. Marquez
  • 2012

  • Senior Master Sergeant Timothy W. Cook
  • 2013

  • Staff Sergeant Roidan A. Carlson
  • 2014

  • Ms. Ann M. Stefanek
  • 2015

  • Mr. Anthony D. Roake
  • 2016

  • Major Bryan Bouchard
  • 2017

  • Senior Airman Nicolas Myers
  • 2018

  • Master Sergeant David A. Salanitri
  • 2019

  • Technical Sergeant Laura J. Beckley
  • 2020

  • A1C Rebeckah Medeiros
  • 2021

  • Ms. Jennifer K. Green-Lanchoney
  • 2022

  • Mr. Kenneth J. Raimondi
  • 2023

  • Senior Airman Rachel VanZale

AFPAA President's
Award Recipients

  • 2001

  • Frank W. Jennings
  • William I. Greener
  • John T. Correll

  • 2002

  • H. J. "Jerry" Dalton
  • Chuck Lucas
  • Terry Hemeyer

  • 2003

  • Reed Switzer
  • Carroll V. "CV" Glines
  • Keith Ferris


  • 2004

  • Thomas C. Reed
  • David O. Schillerstrom

  • 2005

  • James W. Hart, Jr.
  • William T. Coleman, Jr.

  • 2006

  • Willis L. "Bill" Helmantoler
  • Betty Jane Williams

  • 2007

  • Linda A. Arnold
  • Larry McCracken

  • 2008

  • Richard F. Abel
  • Charles H. Powers
  • David E. Smith

  • 2009

  • David J. Shea
  • Michael G. Caldwell

  • 2010

  • Neil J. Buttimer
  • Salvatore "Sam" J. Giammo

  • 2011

  • Foy S. McNaughton


  • 2012

  • Michael I. Burch
  • William A. Barksdale

  • 2013

  • John A. Worthington
  • Curtis Bottesch

  • 2014

  • Les A. Kodlick
  • Robert G. McCullough

  • 2015

  • Louis J. Timmons
  • Arnald D. Gabriel

  • 2016

  • Brian A. Binn
  • Darren W. McDew

  • 2017

  • Kathleen A. Cook
  • Clifford H. "Cliff" Long

  • 2018

  • Ken Hackman
  • Garrett Harencak

  • 2019

  • Stacy L. Pearsall
  • Mark Bell
  • 2023

  • Kelly Flannery
  • Brian Ford