IAAO Awards Program

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS & SUBMISSIONS

IAAO takes pride in acknowledging significant achievements by individuals and organizations in the valuation profession. Through the prestigious IAAO Awards Program, both members and nonmembers can receive global recognition on an annual basis for excellence in property appraisal, assessment administration, property tax policy and related disciplines. IAAO Awards are highly visible and respected. The IAAO Membership Recognition Subcommittee encourages all IAAO members and affiliated organizations from around the world to submit nominations. For organizational awards, nominations are welcome from jurisdictions and associations of any size.

RECOGNITION

All award recipients are honored with a trophy or plaque presented at the Awards Ceremony during the IAAO Annual Conference. The names of all award recipients are published in Fair & Equitable, on IAAO’s website and on signage at the IAAO Annual Conference. IAAO can provide winners with a press release, photo and assistance promoting their award to local media. Recipients of the Clifford B. Allen Most Valuable Member Award, the Rosalyn Johnston Award and the Matylda Zurowska Hudak Member of the Year Award receive one complimentary registration for an IAAO conference or seminar in the year following the acceptance of the award. Recipients of the Instructor of Excellence Award and the Professional Development Lifetime Achievement Award receive one complimentary registration to the IAAO Annual Conference for the year immediately following receipt of the award.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Nominations must be submitted by clicking on IAAO AWARDS SUBMISSION by May 1, 2024. Nominations will not be accepted after that date. All supporting documentation must be emailed to iaaoawards@gmail.com. Your subject line should have the Award Name listed, along with the Nominee(s) Name.

  • If the nomination references a website, the committee will consider only those portions of the site they can access. If a website requires a login or passcode, that information must be provided along with the documents submitted in order for the site to be reviewed.
  • Any material submitted becomes the property of IAAO.
  • The submitted material can be entered for nomination in only one award category.
  • Unless otherwise noted, award nominees must be members of IAAO. Nominations must be made by members of IAAO.
  • Each award has its own criteria. Please read the award category descriptions carefully. Submit the pertinent information required to show how the nominee meets the stated criteria and be sure to include any information requested on the nomination form.
  • Only nominations which meet the submission guidelines will be considered eligible for review.

AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AWARDS

Clifford B. Allen Most Valuable Member Award

Named after Clifford B. Allen, IAAO’s 35th president, this award is presented to a member who has made a significant contribution to IAAO for a period of years by participating in its activities and working toward the realization of the IAAO mission. A nominee must have 10 or more consecutive years of IAAO membership. Previous winners are not eligible. Criteria considered for the nominee includes, but is not limited to:

  • Has served in an elected position of IAAO, as a committee member or chair, an IAAO instructor, a speaker at IAAO programs, a grader, an IAAO Representative or advisor
  • Has actively promoted IAAO
  • Has a record of distinguished publications
  • Has been in other assessment and professional organizations
  • Has served in other public service organization.

Matylda Zurowska Hudak Member of the Year Award

This award is presented to an IAAO member who has made a significant contribution to the association in the previous calendar year through active participation in its activities and who has made an outstanding contribution to the realization of the IAAO mission in his or her career. Previous winners are not eligible.

Emerging Professional Award

This award is presented to an IAAO member who has, comparatively early in his or her career, made a significant contribution to IAAO by demonstrating leadership in the organization, participating in various IAAO activities, assisting other members and working toward the realization of IAAO’s mission. A nominee must have a minimum of two years of IAAO membership, but not more than 10 years. Previous winners of this award are not eligible. A successful nominee may have involvement with any activities IAAO encompasses. These activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Has been involved in an IAAO Chapter or Affiliate organization
  • Has earned an IAAO professional designation and/or assisted other members with completing their designations
  • Has demonstrated leadership within his or her jurisdiction on projects that have improved the assessment process for the benefit of the taxpayers and general public
  • Has published articles, newsletters or other communication items that help the industry
  • Has participated in technical research related to the assessment profession
  • Has served on IAAO committees or other work groups
  • Has developed technical tools or solutions to improve the assessment process through improved software applications, new methods of technical analysis, or use of new technology

Ian W. McClung Global Award

Named after Ian W. McClung, a Canadian who served as IAAO’s 48th president and was a strong advocate for IAAO’s international presence, this award is presented to an IAAO member whose efforts have improved the development of valuation professionals around the world and encouraged the advancement of the assessment community in a global environment. Nominations may be submitted for published articles, activities and programs presented at an international level. Previous winners and IAAO officers are not eligible.

Professional Development Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is presented to an IAAO member who has dedicated him or herself to the organization and its members through education, instruction and the Professional Designation Program over a long period of time. The recipient will have spent a significant portion of his or her career in the assessment administration, appraisal or property tax fields and distinguished him or herself as a recognized leader in the area of professional development at the local, national or international level. Nominees must have 25 or more years of IAAO membership and served IAAO for 15 or more years through committee work in the professional development areas, as an instructor, course coordinator, curriculum developer or reviewer, demonstration appraisal grader or professional designation advisor. Previous winners are not eligible.

Instructor of Excellence Award

This award is presented to an IAAO instructor who has gone beyond basic textbook instruction and motivated students to learn professional skills that will positively influence their careers. The instructor will have made significant contributions toward promoting the IAAO educational program and demonstrated involvement with IAAO at the state, regional and national levels. Current IAAO instructors are eligible for nomination. 

Verne W. Pottorff, CAE, Professional Designee of the Year Award

Named after Verne W. Pottorff, CAE, a past member of IAAO’s Executive Board who championed designations, this award is presented to the IAAO designee who has most effectively promoted the interests and mission of the IAAO Professional Designation Program. Contributions may have been in the area of enrolling, advising and encouraging candidates; developing programs to assist candidates; and in other ways promoting the goals of the program.

Kenneth J. McCarren Award

Named after Kenneth J. McCarren, IAAO’s second president, this award is presented to the IAAO member who has recruited the most number of new IAAO members during the current award year.

Stacey Ford Award

Named after Stacey Ford, a former IAAO membership manager who was a great booster and supporter of IAAO programs and outreach, this award recognizes the “IAAO Representative of the Year” who has made an outstanding effort to promote IAAO during the award period. The award recipient is determined by Rep points earned for all reported activities and achievements. Currently serving IAAO Representatives are eligible for this award.

Harry Galkin Award

Named after Harry Galkin, a long-time Associate member, this award is presented to the IAAO Associate member whose contributions during the past year(s) have been so worthwhile as to demand recognition. Contributions may have been in the area of writing or speaking on equalization, assessment, assessment administration or taxation. The individual also may have distinguished him or herself by advancing the IAAO mission through fundraising or the contribution of time, effort, talent and resources. Only IAAO Associate members are eligible for this award.

IAAO Fellow Program

The IAAO Board approved a new program in 2018 to recognize individuals who have dedicated their career to the development of our profession and made exceptional contributions to the Association and the assessment industry. The new program is known as the IAAO Fellows Program and the International Association of Assessing Officers Fellows title will be awarded annually to recognize the best of the best within our ranks. For more information or to make a nomination, please visit IAAO Fellows Program.

Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is presented to an IAAO member who dedicated their time as a volunteer at the national level and as a result, bettered the association. Contributions may have been in the area of committee/task-force work or event participation. This new award is meant to celebrate the IAAO members who go above and beyond their regular call of duty and give back to IAAO.

JURISDICTION/CHAPTER/AFFILIATE AWARDS

Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction Award

This award is presented to a national, state/provincial, regional or local assessment agency that has instituted a technical, procedural or administrative program which is an improvement over prior programs in that jurisdiction and is generally recognized as a component of a model assessment system and a contributing factor to equity in property taxation. Government assessment or revenue agencies that have implemented such a program in the two years prior to nomination with successful results are eligible for nomination. Jurisdictions of all sizes are encouraged to submit nominations.

Public Information Program Award

This award is presented to an assessment jurisdiction that has developed and implemented an effective system for distributing information to taxpayers and other stakeholders. Government assessment or revenue agencies that have implemented such a program in the two years prior to nomination with successful results are eligible for nomination. Jurisdictions of all sizes, especially those with high quality websites and social media resources, are encouraged to submit nominations.

Outstanding Chapter/Affiliate Award

This award is presented to an IAAO Chapter or Affiliate organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the realization of the IAAO mission through educational events, member programs or other distinguishing activities. IAAO Chapters or Affiliates that are in compliance with current IAAO regulations are eligible for nomination.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION AWARDS

Bernard L. Barnard Outstanding Technical Essay Award

Named after Dr. Bernard L. Barnard, a former IAAO director of research, this award is presented to the author(s) of an outstanding article or essay on technical innovations in assessment or property tax administration. All articles published in IAAO periodicals and IAAO joint publications are automatically eligible provided the author or at least one of multiple authors is an IAAO member. Unpublished essays or articles published in non-IAAO periodicals or books in the previous year may also be nominated if the author or at least one of multiple authors is an IAAO member.

John C. Donehoo Essay Award

Named after John C. Donehoo, IAAO’s first president, this award is presented to the author(s) of an outstanding nontechnical essay on assessment, property tax administration or tax policy. All articles published in IAAO periodicals and IAAO joint publications are automatically eligible provided the author or at least one of multiple authors is an IAAO member. Unpublished essays or articles published in non-IAAO periodicals or books in the previous year may also be nominated if the author or at least one of multiple authors is an IAAO member and if the essay can be printed in Fair & Equitable.

John A. Zangerle Award

Named after John A. Zangerle, IAAO’s third president, this award is presented to an outstanding publication produced by an assessors’ association, IAAO Chapter or other similar organization. All publications submitted as nominees must promote the IAAO mission. Any periodical devoted wholly to the concerns of assessors is eligible for nomination.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

James A. Howze, CAE, Distinguished Research and Development Award

Named after James “Jimmy” A. Howze, CAE, a visionary and one of the earliest developers of computer-assisted mass appraisal, this award is presented to a nonprofit organization, education agency, private-sector firm, public agency or individual(s) for original research in property assessment, taxation or mass appraisal techniques. Any of the above-described organizations or an individual who has provided unique assistance to the valuation profession may be eligible for nomination.

Rosalyn Johnston Award

Named after Rosalyn Johnston for her years of service and dedication to IAAO, this award is presented to a person, regardless of membership type or status, who has contributed to fundraising and other public relations activities of IAAO over the years. The award recognizes those who have advanced the IAAO mission through the contribution of time, effort, talent and resources.

Virginia Cup

In 1990, the Virginia Association of Assessing Officers challenged other states and provinces to increase the number of people who have earned an IAAO Professional Designation. The goal of this challenge is ultimately to increase professionalism in the assessing field. The symbol of this achievement is the Virginia Cup which is awarded annually to the state or province with the most number of new designees during the award period.