Executive of the Year Award Recipients

This award was developed in 1991 to recognize fellow members for their outstanding contributions to the association executive profession. It is the highest honor VMAE can give one of its members who are CEOs or staff executives of a state or allied association.

The award is presented to those whose accomplishments as association executives have been outstanding. They are respected leaders of their own associations and who so ably contribute to other voluntary membership organizations, serve VMAE, and find time to play an active role in civic and community affairs. They exemplify the very best in association management, continually bringing credit to the profession and to the entire association community.

2024
Randy Wheeler, DVM
Iowa VMA

2023
John Tramontana
Michigan VMA

2022
Heather O’Steen, CAE
American Association of Feline Practitioners

2021
Richard Antweiler
Missouri VMA

2020
Tim Atkinson
New York State VMS

2018
Chris Copeland, JD, CAE
Texas VMA VMA

2017
Peter Weinstein, DVM
Southern California VMA

2016
Candace Joy
Washington State VMA

2015
Charlene Wandzilak
Pennsylvania VMA

2014
Phil Hinkle
Florida VMA

2013
Jack Advent
Ohio VMA

2012
Valerie Fenstermaker
California VMA

2011
Charles Franz, DVM
Alabama VMA

2010
David Foley, CAE
AAEP

2009
Peter Weber, CAE
Illinois VMA

2008
Karlene Belyea
Michigan VMA

2007
Doug Raven
Ontario VMA

2006
Ralph Johnson
Colorado VMA

2005
Lisa Perius, CAE
Indiana VMA

2004
Elbert Hutchins
Texas VMA

2003
Charles Helwig, DVM
Oklahoma VMA

2002
Glenn Kolb
Oregon VMA

2001
Dick Schumacher, DVM
California VMA

1999
Leslie Grendahl
Wisconsin VMA

1998
Linda Lacher, CAE
Minnesota VMA

1997
Marty Smart-Wilder, CAE
Ontario VMA

1996
Don Ellerbee
Nebraska VMA

1995
Dee Ann Walker
Tennessee VMA

1994
Peter Prescott, DVM
Michigan VMA

1993
Marilyn Bergquist, CAE
AAHA

1992
Ray Thompson
Maryland & Pennsylvania VMA

1991
Jim LaGrone
Idaho & Wyoming VMA