Eastern Division Awards
William J. Gross Memorial First Aid Trophy
- Recipients of a Purple Merit Star for the 12 months preceding March 1 are considered for the award by a Division Jury appointed by the Division Awards Advisor.
The 2019 winner(s) were: Deborah Whalen GV / Skip Millor GV / Brian Denley ME
Eastern Division Honor Awards
These awards are appointed at the discretion of the Division Director each year and presented at the annual Spring Officers’ Meeting.
Jerry Sherman Outstanding Division Patroller Award
- Awarded for outstanding service to or within the Division
- Is not necessarily awarded every year.
Past recipients:
2005 Bill Halsey |
2010 Bela L. Musits |
2015 Robert Andre |
2006 Robert Scarlett |
2011 Al Pels |
2016 Deb Foss |
2007 Jeff Barcus |
2012 Terry Randolph |
2017 Paul Tracy |
2008 Donna McGraw |
2013 Craig Lawson |
2018 Joseph Kulina |
2009 David Walker |
2014 John Beach |
2019 Paul Kling |
Roger Damon Avalanche Award
- Awarded for outstanding service to or within the Division’s avalanche program.
- Nominees must be recommended by the Division Avalanche Instructor Group and approved by the Division Director and the Division Awards’ Advisor.
- Nominations are due to the above by April 1 each year.
- Is not necessarily awarded every year.
The 2019 winners was: Linda Helms NVT
Donna McGraw Patroller for Patrollers Award
- Awarded for a patroller that has made an outstanding contribution to the Eastern Division and /or the National Ski Patrol.
Past Recipients:
2005 Pete Snyder |
2010 Jerry McGraw |
2015 John S. Tuttle |
2006 Ron Splittgeber |
2011 Robert Scarlett |
2016 William Cline |
2007 Bill Boulter |
2012 Bob Bluff |
2017 Hugh Blocker |
2008 Bill Gamble |
2013 Burt Mitchell III |
2018 Dick Wolf |
2009 Guy Lombardo |
2014 Laura Tucker |
2019 Gerald Hyson |
990 Award
This award is presented annually to one Patroller that has been significantly helpful that year by helping take a load off the Division Director’s back. It was started in 1989 by John Clair.
The 2019 winner was: Orest Ohar
The 2019 winner was: Orest Ohar
501c3 Award
This award is presented annually to one Patroller who is recognized by the Treasurer and the Financial Advisor as having provided outstanding service in the area of finance. It was started in 2010 by John Shipman.
The 2019 winner was: Denice Kaus
The 2019 winner was: Denice Kaus
Eastern Division Award Histories
Pete Snyder Outstanding Nordic Patroller Award
Pete Snyder joined the NSP in 1953 and is an alumni member of the Upper Delaware Nordic and Tanglewood Alpine Patrols in EPA. He earned his Senior status as both a Nordic and Alpine Patroller. A long time Division Nordic Advisor, Pete also served as an Instructor Trainer for OEC, Mountain Travel and Rescue, and Nordic Ski and Toboggan. In 2017, Pete Snyder was inducted as a member of the NSP Hall of Fame.
The 2019 winner was: Melinda Mingus CT
The 2019 winner was: Melinda Mingus CT
George Wesson Jr. Outstanding Paid Patroller Award
The late George F. Wesson Jr. was an original member of the NSP, joining in 1938. He also served in the 10th Mountain Division. George was one of the founders of the NSP Certified Program, and during his NSP career served as Patrol Director at Mount Mansfield, Sugarbush, Thunder Mountain, and Killington. At the time of his death, he was among NSP’s oldest and most honored members. In 2016, George F. Wesson Jr. was inducted as a member of the NSP’s Hall of Fame.
The 2019 winner was: John Doremus EPA
The 2019 winner was: John Doremus EPA
Mary M. Davis Outstanding Patroller Award
Mary Davis joined the NSP in 1968. She has served in numerous leadership positions of increasing responsibility including Patrol Director, Region First Aid Advisor, Region Director, Division First Aid Advisor, Division OEC Supervisor, Assistant Division Director, National Board Member, and National Executive Committee. Among Mary’s many accomplishments include her involvement in the WEC/OEC Program development and Fourth Edition. Mary has been recognized for her many and continuous contributions, some of which are National Appointment #5006 in 1975, Southern Division Outstanding Professional Patroller Award in 1986, the Marlen Guell National Outstanding Administrative Patroller and Gold Star in 1991, and the Distinguished Service Award in 1968. Despite being impacted with the ongoing physical side-effects of aggressive treatment for Ovarian Cancer in 1999, Mary has continued to serve in in several leadership and instructional roles in the Division while mentoring others. Mary is currently a member of the Bromley Ski Patrol in southwestern Vermont. In 2016, Mary Davis was inducted as a member of the NSP Hall of Fame.
The 2019 winner was: Barbara Collins, Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol, GV Region
The 2019 winner was: Barbara Collins, Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol, GV Region
Donald Hamlin Outstanding OEC Instructor Award
Donald L. Hamlin joined the NSP in 1943. Over the course of his 60-year membership, he patrolled in the Eastern PA, Western NY, and Northern VT Regions of the Eastern Division. During the course of his career, he was a Patrol Director, Region Director, served as the eastern Division First Aid Advisor, and held National Appointment #2265. Prior to the adoption of the OEC program by NSP, Don was an Advanced First Aid Instructor with the Red Cross training hundreds of Patrollers. Not content with just providing care to the public in the winter, he and several other Patrollers founded Essex Rescue, a highly respected volunteer ambulance organization serving one of Vermont’s largest communities. Don was a firm believer in training and encouraged continual training throughout the ski season. His leadership and support of constant and challenging training have left an impact that can still be felt in the NSP.
The 2019 winner was: Glenn Gebhard GV
The 2019 winner was: Glenn Gebhard GV
T. Tyler Davis Outstanding Instructor Award
The late T. (Thomas) Tyler Davis joined the NSP in 1958. He served as a Patrol Director, Section Chief, and Region Director in Western Pennsylvania, now known as the Western Appalachian Region. A recipient of the cherished Minnie Dole Award and a Gold Merit Star, Tyler was also an NSP Board Member, Assistant Eastern Division Director, and Eastern Division Awards Chairman. He served as an Instructor and Instructor Trainer in every NSP discipline including OEC, Avalanche, Mountaineering, and Ski and Toboggan. Tyler was also a dedicated member of the American Red Cross. In 2016, Tyler Davis was inducted as a member of the NSP Hall of Fame.
The 2019 winner was: Pamela Welch GV
The 2019 winner was: Pamela Welch GV
Donald F. Page Outstanding Administrative Patroller Award
Donald F. Page joined the NSP in 1955. He served as a Patrol Director, Section Chief, Region Director, Assistant Division Director, Division Director, and NSP Board Member. He coordinated the selection of NSP volunteers for the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. Don Served as Parliamentarian at Eastern Division Annual Meetings for over40 years. Awarded National Appointment #2182 in 1960, was a recipient of the coveted Minnie Dole Award and inducted as one of the first NSP Hall of Fame members in 2012.
The 2019 winner was: Nancy Mayberry EPA
The 2019 winner was: Nancy Mayberry EPA
Al Pels Outstanding Alumni Award
Al Pels was an active member of the National Ski Patrol for 62 years and proudly patrolled at Mad River Glen, VT; Smugglers’ Notch, VT; Great Gorge/Vernon Valley, NJ; Crotched Mountain, NH; and Ragged Mountain, NH. He was a former National Board Member, NJ Region Director and Section Chief, NH Alumni Advisor, and most recently was the Eastern Division Alumni Advisor where he excelled in leadership roles.
The 2019 winner was: Ed Hirshman EPA
The 2019 winner was: Ed Hirshman EPA