Earl Kimble Award (Chapter Hall of Fame)
The Earl Kimble Award is named after Earl Kimble, a business owner from Gaylord, MI who was an avid fly angler and conservationist. He was invited with 10 other conservationists from across the state of Michigan to George Griffith’s home, the “Barbless Hook,” to plan the formation of Trout Unlimited in 1959 where TU was born. Prior to his passing, Earl Kimble donated $13,000 to the Headwaters Chapter of TU to begin an endowment which continues growing to this day. The Earl Kimble Award is given to a Headwaters TU member whose service and contributions to the Chapter have been significant, substantial, and longstanding. This award can only be given to an individual once.
George Barker
Joe Comella
Bob Diesing
Joe Jarecki
Paul Rose
Dave Smethurst
George Mertz
Fred Snook
Bob Slezak
Vie Andrews
John Walters
Alex Cerveniak
Pete Kennedy
Gary Isaman (posthumous)
Rusty Gates Award (Conservationist of the Year)
This award is named for Rusty Gates, who founded the Anglers of the Au Sable and was a dedicated, decades-long time, and efforts supporter and mentor for Headwaters TU and its leaders. This award is given annually to a chapter member, non-member or business for their outstanding service, leadership, and significant contribution to Headwaters TU’s conservation mission. This award is given to one individual or business each year.
2010 Nico Tucker
2011 Josh Greenberg
2012 Neal Godby
2016 Tim Cwalinski
2017 Wendy Lowe
2017 Carol Rose
2018 Jim Kurbel
2019 Jim Kurbel
2021 Gary Isaman
2022 Gary Isaman
2023 Howard Johnson
President’s Award
The President’s Award is given annually to a chapter member, non-member or business who is chosen by the President for their service or contribution to Headwaters TU. A recipient may receive this award more than once. This award is now given to one individual or business each year.
2005 Mark Wolcott
2006 Dave Smethurst
2007 Vienna Andrews
2008 Lance Weyeneth
2009 Rusty Gates
2011 George Mertz
2012 Bill Forreider
2013 Josh Greenberg
2014 John Walters
2015 Mike Reling
2016 Meredith Anderson, Liz Forreider, Brenda Rathburn
2016 Dave Smethurst
2017 Janet Cerveniak
2017 Bill Forreider
2018 Courtney Sparks
2019 Scott Whitcomb
2021 Pete Kennedy
2022 Andrew Knapp
2023 Bekki Heckman
John Walters Award (Outstanding Chapter Leader)
Formerly known as the Brown Trout Award, this award is named after John Walters, Headwaters TU chapter President from 2005 to 2013. This award is given annually to a Chapter member or non-member who has led a chapter initiative(s). This award is given to one individual each year.
2009 George Mertz
2010 Pete Middleton
2011 Paul Meyer
2012 Keith Rusnell
2013 Kristy Mortham
2017 Scott Whitcomb
2017 Lloyd Sparks
2017 Gary VanWagoner
2018 Alex Cervaniak
2019 Gary Isaman
2021 Bekki Heckman
2022 Bekki Heckman
2023 Carl Saunders
Grayling Award (Outstanding Chapter Member)
Formerly known as the Rainbow Trout Award, this award given is annually to a Chapter member who has actively participated in chapter initiatives and embodies the spirit of volunteerism. There is no minimum or maximum limit to the quantity of members who may receive this award each year.
2009 Karen Harrison
2010 Carol Rose
2011 Matt Breck
2012 Larry Hull
2013 Sue Walters
2016 Lloyd Sparks
2017 Carolyn Smith
2017 Jim Kurbel
2017 Gary Isaman
2017 Bob Slezak
2018 Bryan Newell
2018 Gary Isaman
2019 Simon Kurkowski
2021 Carl Saunders, Simon Kurkowski
2022 Mark Jarvie
2023 Byron Lanphear
Dave Smethurst Award (Outstanding Chapter Youth)
Formerly known as the Brook Trout Award, this award is named after Dave Smethurst, Headwaters TU Co-Founder and longtime chapter leader who was a schoolteacher and administrator who dedicated his life to developing area youth (and adults) to be future conservationists. This award is given annually to Chapter youth (<18 years old) who have participated in our chapter initiative(s). This award is given to one individual each year but not limited to one. Our forever hope is that more than one individual deserves this award.
2007 Faith Fetrow
2008 Austin Alexander
2009 Kylynn Siminske
2011 Quinten Vinecki
2012 Will West
2013 Brandon Knox
2014 Kyle Knox, Joe Ross, Brianna Vinecki
2016 Patrick and Caleb Forreider
2017 Coleman Cerveniak
2021 Jonah Richards
2022 Andrew Stahle
2023 Zander Robinson