Tuno Award Honorees

• 2016: Kevin H. Tuno (posthumously)     
• 2017: Phyllis Worrell       
• 2018: Frank Caruso
• 2019: Kelly Higgs              
• 2020: Arthur Abline
• 2021: Ed Conover
• 2022: Col. Edward A. Reynolds (posthumously)    
• 2023: Jamie Bodrog-Powell
• 2024: Richard Kozub           

This award recognizes and honors an individual or program, public or private, that embodies the values and leadership displayed by Emergency Coordinator  Kevin H. Tuno during his thirty-three years of service to the Emergency Management Community in New Jersey. The recipient will be an individual or program whom, through their long-term commitment to emergency preparedness efforts, have clearly influenced the Emergency Management profession and community in New Jersey, in a positive and insightful manner.

2025 Nominations Open in Janurary

Emergency Manager of the Year Characteristics

This award recognizes and honors the individual or program that has demonstrated leadership, partnership, selflessness, and ingenuity in New Jersey emergency preparedness programs by investing time and talent to make positive change in our profession by:

• Providing leadership that inspires other members to excel or make the impossible happen;
• Developing and implementing new, highly effective and creative programs;
• Engaging in collaborative efforts to further emergency management programs and activities;
• Exhibiting dedication to the betterment of the emergency management field in the State of New Jersey as evident by substantially influencing emergency management efforts state-wide;
• Helping individuals grow and achieve goals and objectives as a mentor or leader of volunteers involved in emergency preparedness, response or recovery;
• Working for positive long-term changes within our profession;
• Applying innovative ideas and/or creative techniques that enhance local and regional emergency management programs;
• Managing extraordinary response and recovery efforts to major disasters;
• Demonstrating a significant impact on the emergency management field that sets him or herself apart through remarkable contributions in the professional arena and strong leadership within his/her community.

Eligibility

Any individual, or group, active in emergency management activities in New Jersey are eligible. The award is open to all who work in the field including planners, public health, NGOs, contractors, PIOs, first responders, etc.

• This award is not restricted to government emergency managers. It is intended to recognize the successful leadership of public or private preparedness and emergency management individuals or programs that have demonstrated leadership, ingenuity and selflessness.
• Individuals may be involved in public or private emergency management, preparedness, response or recovery efforts anywhere in the State.

Selection Process

Award selections will be based solely on the information presented in the award nomination, selection criteria below. Nominations need to be clear, descriptive and provide specific examples that demonstrate that the person/project/program meets the selection criteria. No self-nomination will be accepted.

The Nominator will be notified once an award recipient has been selected. This will occur after the nomincation period closes and the committee has made a selection. NJEPA will like invite the nominator and recipient and guest to the 25th Anniversary Awards Gala.