Industry Appreciation Award
Description of the Award
The Industry Appreciation Award is given to a current or retired member of industry who exemplifies excellence in hazardous materials/dangerous goods regulations and enforcement.
Eligibility and Criteria for Selection
- Must be a current or retired member of industry or industry association (Class III Associate Member).
- Must have at least five years of industry or industry association experience, specifically in hazardous materials/dangerous goods transportation.
- Must have attended the COHMED Conference for a minimum of three years.
- Must have assisted the COHMED program by providing training and/or support.
- Has shown leadership by providing support to COHMED Conference attendees.
- Has fostered national/international uniformity in hazardous materials regulation and enforcement.
- Must go above and beyond in the performance of their duties in support of the COHMED program.
Frequency
This award is given out annually at the COHMED Conference. The recipient is selected by the COHMED program enforcement members of the COHMED program leadership team.
Industry Appreciation Award Recipients
2024 – Brian Kucharski, Republic Services
2023 – Jeff McLaughlin, Oak Harbor Freight Lines
2022 – Jim Boehringer, J.E.B. Environmental Services
2021 – No Award
2020 – John Anderson, Airgas SAFECOR
2019 – Tony Parente, Praxair
2018 – Guy Dalton, Linde North America
2017 – Steve Niswander, Groendike
2016 – Jeff Gage, Praxair
2015 – Vaughn Arthur, Dangerous Goods Advisory Council
2014 – Tom Snyder, Austin Powder
2013 – Dave Sonnemann, Praxair
Law Enforcement Award
Description of the Award
Members of industry give the Law Enforcement Award to a member of law enforcement for their support of the COHMED program.
Eligibility and Criteria for Selection
- Must be a current member of a Class I (state/province/territory) or Class II (local) enforcement agency.
- Must have at least five years of inspection experience specifically in hazardous materials/dangerous goods roadside inspections.
- Must have attended the COHMED Conference for a minimum of three years.
- Must have assisted the COHMED program by providing training and/or support.
- Has fostered national/international uniformity in regulation and enforcement.
- Must have shown leadership by providing support for industry.
- Must go above and beyond the performance of their duties in support of COHMED program.
Frequency
This award is given out annually at the COHMED conference. The recipient is selected by COHMED program industry members and facilitated by the industry liaison members of the COHMED program leadership team.
Law Enforcement Award Recipients
2024 – Nicholas B. Wright, Kansas Highway Patrol
2023 – James Farley, Nevada Highway Patrol
2022 – Andy Zikmund, Oregon Department of Transportation
2021 – No Award
2020 – Kevin Hogan, Michigan State Police
2019 – Reggie Bunner, West Virginia Public Service Commission
2018 – Phil Haskins, Public Service Commission of Ohio
2017 – Scott Maguire, Massachusetts State Police
2016 – Brad Wagner, Nebraska State Patrol
2015 – Bill Reese, Idaho State Police
2014 – Tom Fuller, New York State Police
2013 – Rex Railsback, Kansas Highway Patrol
Chair's Award
Description of the Award
The COHMED Chair gives this award to an individual who has demonstrated a strong commitment to hazardous materials transportation safety.
Eligibility and Criteria for Selection
- The award recipient is chosen by the COHMED program chair.
- Must be a current or retired member of industry or an industry association or a current member of an enforcement agency.
- Must have extensive experience in the commercial motor vehicle field, speficially in hazardous materials/dangerous goods enforcement and/or transportation.
- Must have attended the COHMED Conference for a minimum of five years.
- Must have assisted the COHMED program by providing training and/or support.
- Has shown leadership by providing support to COHMED attendees.
- Has fostered national/international uniformity in regulation and enforcement.
- Must go above and beyond in the performance of their duties in support of the COHMED program.
Frequency
This award may be given out annually at the COHMED conference; however, it is not mandatory if a recipient is not identified.
Chair's Award Recipients
2024 – Cynthia Hilton
2023 – Brad Wagner, Nebraska State Patrol
2022 – Reggie Bunner, West Virginia Public Service Commission
2021 – No Award
2020 – Vince Babich, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
2019 – Allan Melton, Schluberger
2018 – Jim Boehringer, J.E.B. Environmental Services
2017 – Tom Fuller, New York State Police
2016 – None Given
2015 – John Hardridge, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
2015 – Paul Bomgardner, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
2014 – Richard Swedberg, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
2014 – Alan Roberts, Dangerous Goods Advisory Council
Greg Neylon Humanitarian Award
Description of the Award
The Greg Neylon Humanitarian Award is awarded to an individual who embodies the spirit of hazardous materials/dangerous goods safety.
Humanitarianism by Definition
Used to describe the thinking and doctrines behind emergency response to humanitarian crises. It argues for the humanitarian response based upon the principle of humanity, with the most important principles being humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality. Benevolent treatment and assistance to others, in order to improve the overall conditions.
Eligibility and Criteria for Selection
- Be an active member on the COHMED Program and in good standing at the time of the nomination and selection.
- Some detail or record of activity qualifying for the award that spans a period of one year preceding the nomination submission.
- Award is open to any member of the COHMED program (industry, enforcement or federal government), if it is found that team cooperation resulted in better lines of communication, or positives for the hazardous materials/dangerous goods community as a whole.
- Demonstrates extraordinary humanitarian and/or volunteer work by working with others to improve safety and quality of life and promoting the welfare and happiness of the COHMED program’s members.
- Establishment of legacy through sustainable activities that benefit not only COHMED’s community, but others as well.
- Neighborhood service, fund raising, disaster relief and/or volunteering locally assisting law enforcement, fire fighters and the community.
- Local efforts and day-to-day actions that have a positive effect on the entire community.
- The recipient must be approved by the program chair.
Frequency
This award may be given out annually at the COHMED conference; however, it is not mandatory if a recipient is not identified.
Grey Neylon Humanitarian Award Recipients
2022 – Tom Snyder, Austin Powder
2023 – JP Gibbons, NATC Inc.