Volunteer Hall of Fame

The Bob Paton Award for Meritorious Service

From 1972 to 1988, Meritorious Service was recognized by the Bill Miller Award. In 1990, the Bob Paton Award was created to continue honoring outstanding service to the Buckeye Trail Association’s mission.

Darlene Karoly (2025)
Dana Zintek (2025)
Tim Murphy (2024)
Connie and Robert Pond (2023)
Pat Hayes (2023)
Jeff Yoest (2022)
Mary Hayes (2020)
Jim Gilkey (2019)
Bob Merkle (1995)
Jack Watkins (1994)
Pat and Warren Ellis (1993)
Emily Gregor (1992)

Ed DeLaet (1991)
Bob Paton (1990)
Larry and Sophia Morton
Jim Runk
Paul Daniel
Mike Paekeosnis
Mary Hamilton
Steve Miller
Bob Merkle
Jim Sprague
Herb Hulls
Susie Hulls

Buckeye Trail Blazer Award for Leadership by Example

In 2019, the Star Award (for leadership) and Super Star Award (for long-term leadership) were combined and renamed the Trail Blazer Award to honor sustained leadership by example.

Rebecca Dobson (2025)
Phil Freeland (2025)
Nancy Hoffner (2025)
Pat Long (2025)
Mark Middleton (2025)
Jill Moorhead (2025)
David Thorndike (2025)
Richard Saccardi (2025)
Meg Sondey (2025)
Richard Morgan (2024)
Brent Watson (2024

Valerie Gardner (2023)
Shawn Steinschreiber (2024)
David Harris (2022)
Brandon Bates (2021)
Russ Flesher (2020)
Bill Jindra (2020)
Dale Sroka (2020)
Pat Hayes (2019)
Dane Miles (2019)
Jo Rawley (2019)
Andy Hagat (2019)

The Bill Miller Award for Conservation

Originally established as the Bill Miller Award for Meritorious Service (1972–1988). In 1990, it became the Bill Miller Award for Conservation to focus on land stewardship and preservation efforts.

Heather Stehle (2025)
Joe Carter and Petra Schmalbrock (2024)
Ann Furste (2022)
Brian Blair, Forest Conservancy Ltd. (2020)
Cheryl Kreindler (2019)
American Electric Power (1994)
Ralph Ramey (1993)
Jim Sprague (1991)

Marvin Olinsky (1990)
Herb Hulls
Friends of Monday Creek
Andy Hite
Rich Pfeiffer
Dr. Carl and Gail Boesel
Roger Pawsaw
Nature Conservancy of Ohio, The Edge of Appalachia Preserve System

The James Sprague Buckeye Trail Adopter and Builder Award

Richard Morgan (2025)
John Mark Hall (2024)
Tim Murphy (2024)
Russ Flesher (2024)
James “Sunny” Sunyak (2024)
Terry Blackstone (2023)
Ann Furste (2023)

Dale Wical (2022)
John Nemcik (2022)
Lori Luken (2022)
Mark Anstaett (2022)
Preston Bartlett (2021)
Andy Hagat (2021)
Susan Stover (2019)
Debbie Zampini

Ralph Regula Award for Leadership

U.S. Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (2025)
Ohio Rep. Rick Perales (2024)
Shawnee Mayor Bev Trovato (2023)

Ohio Rep. Catherine D. Ingram (2021)
Ohio Sen. Sean O’Brien (2019)
Ohio Sen. Steve Wilson (2019)

Certificate of Appreciation

Mark Anstaett (2025)
Jesse Dailey (2025)
Lena Dockery (2025)
Valerie Gardner (2025)
Mary Hayes (2025)
Dave Janosko (2025)
Dane Miles (2025)
Julie Osborn (2025)
Mary Pahoulis (2025)
Kat Wollyung (2025)
John Nemcik (2024)

Phil Freeland (2024)
Jo Folger (2024)
Charles Fletcher (2024)
Bruce Goodell (2024)
Nick Cruise (2024)
Geoffrey Ostrander (2023)
Joel Yott (2023)
William “Bill”’ Hines (2022)
Raman Ras (2022)
Everett Brandt (2021)
Robin McArdle (2020)

The Dr. Roy Fairfield President’s Award

Shawn Steinschreiber (2025)
Tim Murphy (2024)
Kim Love-Ottobre (2023)
Brian Batchelder (2022)
Valerie Gardner (2021)
Jim “Sunny”’ Sunyak (2020)
Bandon Bates (2019)
Randall Roberts (2018)
Danan Zintek (1997)
Ed Hilbert (1996)
Herb and Susie Hulls (1995)
Mary Hamilton (1994)
Paul Daniel (1993)
Pat and Warren Ellis (1992)

O.P. Murphy (1991)
Emily Gregor (1990)
Jim Runk
Bob Pond
Rick Adamson
Darlene Karoly
Russ Johnson
John Heater
Judy Clinebell
Lisa Daber
Jack Watkins
Kathy Hamilton
Pat Hayes
Connie Pond

Buckeye Trail Association Trustee Emeritus

Erik Morris (2025)
Randall Roberts (2025)
Steve Walker (2025)
Linda Paul (2023)
Pat Hayes (2019)
Ed Hilbert (1992)

Tom King (1989)
Tony Fiscarello (1988)
Bob Paton (1972)
Emma “Grandma” Gatewood (1969)
Connie Pond
Liz McQuaid
Herb Hulls

Partnership Awards

Prior to 2019, all external partner recognition was listed under “Partnership Awards.” In 2019, the BTA established three distinct categories:

The Merrill Gilfillan Award for Visionary Agency Partners
The Buckeye Trail Business Partnership Award
The Buckeye Trail Partnership Award

The Merrill Gilfillan Award for Visionary Agency Partners

Mark Bennett, City of Akron Water Protection (2024)
Matt McCue, Geauga Park District (2024)
Dawn McCarthy (2023)
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (2023)
VK Maintenance, Cuyahoga Valley National Park (2022)

Mary Mertz, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (2022)
The Wayne National Forest, Marietta Unit (2021)
Cleveland Metroparks (2020)
Tom Arbour, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (2019)

The Buckeye Trail Business Partnership Award

Roads Rivers and Trails (2025)
MoonDoggie LIVERee (2024)
Darlene Witter-Krieger, Wakeman Elevator (2022)
REI Cleveland (2022)
Athletic Brewing Co. (2022)
HiHo Brewing Co. (2022)

Deersville General Store (2021)
The Cleveland Outpost (2021)
The Schlegel Family, Great Miami Outfitters (2021)
The Backpackers Shop (2020)
Vince Rucci, Vertical Runner (2019)

The Buckeye Trail Partnership Award

Dick Feldmann, Friends of the Little Miami State Park (2024)
The Cleveland Hiking Club (2024)

Firelands Rails to Trails Inc. (2022)
Cuyahoga Valley Trails Council (2021)
Cleveland Metroparks (2020)

North Country Trail Association (NCTA) Honor Award

Josh Ramey (2024)
Jesse Dailey (2024)
Brent Watson (2024)
Matthew Dexter Edmonds (2024)
Sam Bonifas (2024)
Vicki Proctor (2024)
John Smilek (2024)
Byron and Sandy Henry (2024)
Lori Luken (2024)
David Thorndike (2023)
Tim Murphy (2023)
Russ Flesher (2023)

Diane Wright (2023)
John Davidson (2023)
Nikki Gerber (2023)
Jamie Guy (2023)
Dan Campbell (2023)
Joel Timmons (2023)
Ann Furste (2022)
Kim Love-Ottobre (2021)
Tom Rohr (2020)
Marion Shoffner (2019)
Jim “Sunny”’ Sunyak (2018)
Kathy Hamilton (2011)
Mary Hamilton (2009)