The Distinguished Service Award was created in 1940 to honor those who gave great service to the Order of the Arrow beyond the Lodge level. Among the first ten recipients were the founders of the Order of the Arrow, E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson.
The Distinguished Service Award was presented at the Monday evening show to 36 recipients.
As the 1998 Southern Region Chief, Mark Angeli emphasized, supervised, and sustained three important regional activities: the region’s Web page, a regular edition of newsletter and the “One Day of Service” program. It should be no surprise that he oversaw tremendous growth and success in programs and service in the Southern Region. His additional diligence during four National Leadership Seminars did not diminish his enthusiasm for service to his section and home lodge.
The Konepaka Ketiwa lodge rewarded the infectious enthusiasm and dedicated service of Daniel Asleson with two consecutive terms as lodge chief. His service continued on the sectional and regional levels with six stints on the staffs of the National Leadership Seminar. He also staffed NOAC in 1996 and 1998, the 1997 National Jamboree - with OA Youth Service Corps - and the 1997 NLS Train the Trainer. In 1999, Asleson served as foreman of the Northern Tier Wilderness Voyage.
NOAC for Dick Austin goes back to 1958 in Kansas and 1961 in Indiana. He served as a lodge chief, area chief and two-time staffer of the National Leadership Seminar. Two Philmont treks as a youth were followed by 16 as an adult. Austin's cheerful service as a youth led to adult service in positions as Cubmaster, Webelos leader, assistant Scoutmaster, post advisor, staff adviser to four different lodges and as section staff adviser. Austin has equally distinguished himself as a professional Scouter.
As a three-term section chief, John Bicket's leadership sparked involvement from all the lodges he served. National Leadership Seminar participation went from one lodge to 100 percent; NOAC participation from 50 percent to 100 percent of the lodges. Bicket also set the Order's Internet standard by designing the first section home page in the country in 1994. He served on four National Leadership Seminar staffs and as 1997 National Jamboree Vice Chief in charge of a now legendary production of Odyssey of the Law.
At the 2000 NOAC, Peter Cash will continue a tradition: He has been an integral part of the American Indian Training staff at six NOACs. His thoughtful planning and management of all training for American Indian Activities at the last two NOACs has resulted in the offer of more than 200 subjects with 7,000 student hours of instruction. Cash's teaching spirit extends to his lodge activities where he assists with the Indian dancing program and he gives further service by judging at section conclaves.
Whit Culver is the only Arrowman who has served all six years of the OA Trail Crew program at
Philmont. He began as a participant and then became a staff member.
Through the years, he advanced to foreman, foreman/site coordinator and then went on to become assistant
director. This year, Culver is the director. He has been on the regional and conference administrative staffs
for the 1994, 1996, and 1998
NOACs. This year he is the lead cell-trainer for Camp Promotion 2000.
Brandon Fessler's service to the OA is a lesson in steady steps. Beginning in 1993, he served in rapid order as chapter chief, lodge secretary, lodge vice chief, lodge chief, section chief and then Western Region Chief. He also staffed four section conclaves and twice served as trainer to the National Leadership Seminar. With constant concern for others, he focused the regional leadership in motivating the new Arrowman to catch and carry forth the spirit of cheerful service. (Brandon was unable to be present at the National Conference. His presentation will take place at a suitable time in the near future.)
In the Otahnagon Lodge, Michael George served as information chairman, secretary/treasurer and lodge chief. He has instructed at two Section Development Conferences and served the conferences for two years as NE-5B section chief. He also staffed the Northeast Region Section Officers' Seminar and the National Leadership Seminar. George has been lead editor for the Northeast Region's Visionary newsletter and served on the 1998 NOAC Special Events staff. Most recently, he served as Vice Chief for Financial Resources at the 1999 National Leadership Summit and as an editor with the National Bulletin.
In addition to his service as a section adviser, Joe Glenski is adviser to the National OA Web site. In 1999, the site received two thirds of a million visits, making it the most successful method of communicating with the OA membership. This led to his appointment as adviser for the 2000 NOAC Web site. He has served on support staff for the last six NOACs and has participated in the last three national planning meetings. Glenski staffed five National Jamborees and was a district commissioner for four years.
In the Mikano Lodge, David Golden served as activities chairman, summer camp chief, NOAC contingent leader, and lodge chief. He also staffed the National Leadership Seminar. Most notable in Golden's Scouting service is his work on the Philmont OA Trail Crew as crew foreman, crew site coordinator, and assistant director. He has worked to make sure that every crew participant has a quality experience and understanding of what the Order is truly about.
Within the Maluhia Lodge, Brian Hashiro has served as a NOAC contingent adviser, lodge adviser, adviser to the lodge chief and chair of the lodge adult leaders support group. For 23 years he served on section conclave service staffs. Hashiro has served as a NOAC ceremonies trainer and staffed three National Jamborees. For the past five years, his trademark attributes of friendliness, humility and compassion have made him a valued member of the National Order of the Arrow Committee.
John Isley was the Southern Region Chief in 1999 where his success continued after superior performance in several lodge and section positions, including lodge chief and section chief. He was a member of the Southern Region Executive Board in 1999 and was regional coordinator for the "One Day of Service" project. Isley staffed the 1997 National Jamboree at Subcamp 15 in addition to staffing NOAC in 1998. His capable training and leadership skills led to his chairing of four National Leadership Seminars in 1999, the NLS Train the Trainer at the Florida Sea Base and numerous regional events.
Kenneth Jenkins was the 1999 Northeast Region Chief after previously serving as lodge chief and as a three-term section chief. As Region Chief he organized and directed Sectional Officers' Seminars and staffed 13 National Leadership Seminars. Previously, at the 1998 NOAC he was conference vice chief of activities. Jenkins is an awe-inspiring example of a life guided by the Obligation, Scout Oath and Scout Law. His focus on the purpose of the Order has enabled him to be a persuasive and effective role model of the Order of the Arrow.
Ryan E. King
Ryan King was the 1998 Central Region Chief and the 1999 Assistant Director of Conservation Services at Philmont. He had previously served two years as assistant foreman of the OA Trail Crew. His service to the Order began in 1994 as chapter chief, and in 1995 and 1996 he moved on to become lodge chief and member of the Hoosier Trails Council's executive board. He also served as section chief in 1996 and 1997, as NOAC Service Lodge Chief and was a trainer at the National Leadership Seminar.
Aaron Kreager was the 1999 Central Region Chief. His lodge leadership included serving as secretary and chief. At the sectional level his leadership included youth chairman, secretary and section chief. Other national service includes OA Trail Crew, OA Voyager Trail Crew, trainer at four National Leadership Seminars and Train the Trainer. Kreager is known as one who takes on the toughest tasks, puts the welfare of the group ahead of his own and always exceeds expectations.
William Loeble served on the Camp Shenandoah staff from 1959 through 1965 and rendered invaluable service as a district commissioner and district chair. Loeble has staffed five National Jamborees, five NOACs, three "old" National Leadership Seminars and the "new" NLS from 1994-1999. He has served several terms as chapter adviser, lodge adviser and section adviser, and has been the banquet speaker for six lodges. He was contingent leader to the Philmont OA Trek and the Philmont Retreat.
Lance McAlister serves the 2000 NOAC with the communications committee and writes for the National Bulletin "Around the Nation" feature. At the 1998 NOAC he was the conference vice chief of public relations. He has served as lodge secretary, lodge chief, vigil chairman, service lodge chief, conclave vice chief and section chief. He hewed the communications criteria of the first NOAC Web site and he continues as the adviser to his section's Web site. While working at other levels, he still maintains close ties to his lodge.
Mike McCrea has served extensively at the lodge and section levels as chief or chairman of numerous committees and groups, including two terms as section chief. McCrea's regional service includes staffing several Section Officers' Seminars and National Leadership Seminars. He has served at the National Jamboree with the OA Youth Service Corps and was on the Philmont Trail Crew . He is one of six youth Arrowmen who envisioned, developed and implemented the 1998 NOAC Training Program, serving as the conference vice chief.
A conference vice chief for the 1998 NOAC and lead cell trainer at the 1996 NOAC, Seth McFarland is recognized by his advisers as one who "walks the walk" of leadership and service in positions of responsibility and in his daily life. He served as a chapter chief, lodge chief and section chief, in addition to other positions. McFarland was the Central Region representative at the National Train-the-Trainer Conference and twice served as a trainer at the National Leadership Seminar.
Mathew Milleson served with distinction as the 1998 National Chief. In that position, he was responsible for the 1998 NOAC, eight National Leadership Seminars and the Report to the Nation. Milleson was the BSA's representative at the Inter-American Youth Leadership Forum in Guadalajara, Mexico. In addition to staffing or chairing numerous committees and teams - and being chapter chief, lodge chief and section chief - Milleson was the narrator for the historic 1997 National Jamboree Odyssey of the Law.
Tom Moore is the lead adviser for special events at the 2000 NOAC. He was treasurer, chief, service lodge chief, and - after college - adviser from 1986 to1993 for the Ahtuhquog Lodge. A veteran of eight NOACs, Moore has been on the special events staff; the Northeast Region Training Coordinator; adviser to the NOAC Training Committee and, from 1994 to 1999, was the adviser to Section NE 4C. He assisted in re-writing numerous national syllabi and publications, including the OA Handbook and the OA Guide for Officers and Advisors.
Hayato Nakawatase was the 1999 Western Region Chief. Nakawatase's abilities were recognized early in the Order as he was named chapter and then lodge Arrowman of the Year. His peers "directed" him to serve as chapter chief , lodge vice chief, lodge chief and section chief. He served on the staffs of five National Leadership Seminars and numerous conclaves and lodge functions before becoming region chief. He has worked hard to improve Brotherhood retention, membership, training and section conclaves.
Andy Oh served with distinction as the 1999 National Vice Chief. He has served on the National OA Committee, National Boy Scout Committee, National Advancement Committee and on the staff of ten National Leadership Seminars. Oh staffed the 1996, 1998, and 2000 NOACs and attended a number of national planning meetings and the National Leadership Summit. He is known for his infectious enthusiasm that has been enjoyed by his peers who elected him to multiple terms as chapter, lodge and section chief.
Will Parker served with distinction as the 1999 National Chief. Among his many accomplishments as national chief was to oversee the planning and operation of the first National Summit at Fort Collins. Will has served in several positions including chapter and lodge chief, as well as three years as section chief. His exemplary service includes staffing numerous National Leadership Seminars, OA Youth Services at the 1997 Jamboree and the 1998 NOAC. Parker was BSA's representative to the 7th World Scout Youth Forum in South Africa and from 1996 to 1998 was the editor of Southern Region's Voice.
Mike Perkins, currently a lodge adviser in Utah, has staffed four National Jamborees and twice has been a contingent Scoutmaster. He has staffed Canadian Jamborees and twice staffed World Jamborees (the first in 1957). As youth he was chapter chief of the British Isles, and has been an adviser of several chapters, two lodges, and a section. In addition to staffing a number of National Leadership Seminars and seven NOACs, he was a director of Wood Badge and Junior Leader Training courses.
David Petrush served with distinction as the 1998 National Vice Chief. He served multiple terms as lodge vice chief, lodge secretary, section vice chief and section chief. Petrush has served as trainer or coordinator at six conclaves. He staffed the National Leadership Seminar in 1997, served as co-editor of the Northeast Region OA newsletter and as a contributing editor to the National Bulletin. At the 1996 NOAC he was the Straight Dance champion. Petrush's skills, leadership and direction have benefited those at NOAC and the 1997 National Jamboree Indian Village.
Tee Pruitt served as the 1999 National Summit Vice Chief for Awards and Recognitions. His committee produced a new national OA awards brochure and conceived the new Arrowman's Service Award. Pruitt also established an awards and recognitions page on the National OA Web site. He has served in numerous positions, including lodge chief and section chief. He was a staff member of NOAC Today and Odyssey of the Law at the 1997 National Jamboree.
Jeremy Pullen
Jeremy Pullen served as 1999 National Leadership Summit Vice Chief for the Quality of the Lodge Program. He has staffed regional and national service positions including two National Leadership Seminars and the 1997 National Jamboree Trading Post. Pullen served in various positions in the lodge and section, and was endorsed by his peers with terms as chapter chief, lodge chief and section chief. While leading the section in 1998, S-4 had the largest section representation at NOAC.
The first National Leadership Summit Vice Chief for Communications and Marketing was David Sargent. He also served at a National Planning Meeting and at many section conclaves and meetings. Sargent served in a number of positions, including chapter chief, lodge chief and section chief. Under his leadership came his section's first planbook and conclave planning guide, effective meeting agendas and greater detail in reporting.
Joseph Shore is a key innovator of OA training. Sometimes referred to as "Bar Code Joe," he introduced a method of collecting data at the 1998 NOAC enabling quick feedback from participants. He also played a role in development of lodge assessment software and a computer-generated presentation at the National Leadership Summit. Shore's 32 years of service include stints as chapter chief, lodge chief, lodge adviser, section adviser, and regional committee member. He has staffed both the National Jamboree and several NOACs.
Robert Sirhal is active from the pack level to the national level. He staffed the 1999 National Leadership Summit, numerous NOACs with the training committee and several national meetings. He served the Northeast Region for many years on the Sea Scouting Committee and has staffed the National Leadership Seminar. Sirhal has held numerous of positions from cubmaster to council president; and has been both chapter and lodge adviser. He was Area Vice President, with a focus on Exploring. He is a member of the National Cub Scout Committee and will be a subcamp chief for the 2001 National Jamboree.
Bill Spice currently serves as the division director and general manager of Philmont Scout Ranch. In his position, Spice has been instrumental in opening all doors for the Order of the Arrow to be successful in the development and implementation of the Philmont Trail Crew. He also has been instrumental in assuring that the Heritage Center be located at the Philmont Scout Ranch. For more than 50 years, Spice has supported Scouting - as a youth member of the OA and as a professional who enthusiastically supports the Order.
David Stowe was the 1999 Director of the OA Trail Crew. He began his service to the Trail Crew as foreman in 1996 and again in 1997. He became trail crew assistant director in 1998. Stowe's leadership has affected the lives of hundreds of Arrowmen, many of whom went on to lead in sectional, regional and national positions. Stowe had previously served on National Leadership Seminar staff, as Webmaster for the Central Region and as lodge chief.
While serving as lodge chief, David Strebler's lodge was selected Best All Around Lodge. David served a number of years on the section conference shows staff, as a section conference trainer and on the Southern Region National Leadership Seminar staff, where he was a top-rated presenter. While serving as section chief, he was the Southern Region's "One Day Coordinator." He gave national service as a 1996 NOAC Ceremonies and Inductions trainer, as OA Trail Crew foreman and as conference vice chief for inductions and ceremonies at the 1998 NOAC.
As vice chief for "Role of the Section" at the first National Leadership Summit, Christopher Wells created all materials and served as a trainer. A regular contributor to the National Bulletin and to the Northeast Region's Visionary newsletter, his awareness of the importance of communication led to the development of a section Web site. Wells staffed National Leadership Seminars and Section Officers' Seminars. He also served on the OA Trail Crew, as lodge chief and as a section chief.
During the mid 1980s and early 1990s, Roy Williams served as the national director of the Boy Scout Division. Under Williams' direction, the OA's national director position was established, and for the first time an associate director for the OA was hired. In his role as Western Region Director, Williams has been a guiding influence in helping councils recognize the importance of a strong OA program and generously supported National Leadership Seminars and other regional gatherings. Williams has recently been selected to serve as the Chief Scout Executive.
Revised 08/01/00.
