Annual Reception & Awards

Each year, ASC holds an annual reception in the Washington, DC area for its members, friends, and partners in conjunction with the ASC Innovation and Leadership Awards, which recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and leadership of state service commission staff, commissioners, and programs in uniting states in service.

Announcing the 2018 ASC Innovation & Leadership Award Winners

Nine Leaders Recognized from Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas and Washington

For Immediate Release

September 13, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC – Nine outstanding community leaders from across the nation were recognized at a reception in Arlington, VA at the 2018 America’s Service Commissions (ASC) Innovation and Leadership Awards. The awards program is held by ASC each year in the Washington, DC area to recognize the hard work, leadership, and accomplishments of state service commission staff, commissioners, service programs and their champions throughout the United States and its territories.

View or download the event program for award descriptions >>

View event photos on Flickr >>

Congratulations to the following seven leadership awardees:

2018 ASC Innovation & Leadership Award Recipients:

Friend of America’s Service Commissions: Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri)

State Service Leadership Award: Governor John W. Hickenlooper (D-Colorado)

Outstanding Commissioner: Kate Kelly (Minnesota)

Outstanding Commission Executive Director: Scott McFarland (Illinois)

Outstanding Commission Staff: Caitlin Brooking (Mississippi)

Outstanding Commission Staff: Ia Moua (California)

Outstanding Service Program: YWCA of Central Alabama AmeriCorps (Alabama)

In addition to the seven leadership awards, America's Service Commissions inducted two outstanding individuals to the ASC 'Honor Roll' who have blazed a trail and left behind a lasting impact on the state service commission network through their long-lasting careers in service:

2018 ASC Honor Roll Inductees:

Elizabeth Darling (Texas)

Debbie Schuffenhauer (Washington)

“We applaud these nine honorees for their outstanding contributions to the field of national and community service,” said Kaira Esgate, CEO of America’s Service Commissions. “The collective talent and vision of this group is truly extraordinary -- their dedication to improving communities through service has inspired their colleagues and partners across the nation. From being role models and mentors, to advocates and champions in state government and Congress, these nine individuals have gone above and beyond to strengthen the state service network at the local, state, and federal level."