2024 Award Winners
One of the highlights of any annual conference is the recognition of people who go above and beyond to move WLIA and Land Records forward in Wisconsin. This year was no exception. Congratulations to all of our award winners. Most of the descriptions for these award winners are from the nomination form.
Nominations for the 2025 Awards are currently OPEN.
Allen H. Miller Sustained Service Award - Jim Landwehr
The Allen H Miller Sustained Service Award is given to an individual or organization that demonstrates sustained service to WLIA and the WLIP, through continued exemplary contributions.
The Allen H. Miller Sustained Service Award is named after the first WLIA President, who was a great friend and supporter.
Jim served on the WLIA Board of Directors from 2016-2018 and was Chair of the Membership Committee. He organized the annual Wisconsin Land Information AssociationFoundation Silent Auction for seven years to fund scholarships supporting tomorrow’s land information professionals. His dedication to the silent auction and the goals set forth to raise funds for students speaks volumes about his kindness, and what he chooses to prioritize in his life.
Emerging Leader Awards - Emily Berth, Stefanie Pasowicz, Zakry Swartz
Given to an individual in the first 7 years of their Land Information/GIS career who demonstrates exemplary individual technical achievement and/or leadership within the Wisconsin land information community.
Emily has jumped into the Communications Committee with both feet and has excelled in everything she has put her mind to. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she is always one of the first to volunteer for various projects. As an example of her work, she took on the newly revamped member spotlight series and made it shine. I am excited to see what she will do in the future.
Stephanie got involved with WLIA starting in 2022 and has been very involved in 2023. Together with Doug Avoles and Lauren Hodkiewicz, Stephanie has taken on a leadership role for the Workshop Team that puts together the lineup of workshops for the Annual Conference. Stefanie is a great example of a WLIA member and a future leader.
Government Achievement Award – Town of Grand Chute
Given to a municipal, town, county, regional planning commission, state, federal, or tribal government or consortium that has demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas: innovative and efficient use of resources (best “bang for the buck”), sustainable development of critical local, regional, or statewide geospatial datasets, implementation of creative cooperative agreements, creation of innovative applications and information services that improve the delivery of government services to citizens.
The Town of Grand Chute received the Government Achievement Award for their work in incorporating GIS into their Fire Department’s Fire Accreditation workflows. By taking on this project, the GIS department expanded the use of GIS throughout the community as well. Many of the people involved prior to this project had very minimal to no knowledge of GIS. By expanding GIS into their departments it helped raise awareness for GIS and removed duplication of work.
Friend of Land Records award - Joseph Kerski, PhD, GISP
Given to an individual or organization that is not a WLIA member and has contributed to the success or advancement of land records modernization in Wisconsin.
After being invited to be a 2023 Annual Conference keynote speaker, Jospeh volunteered to teach some workshops (which we didn't need because they were full)as well as give presentations. He promoted the 2023 Annual Conference (and still promotes other events) on social media. Before and after the conference he toured different colleges in Wisconsin to promote GIS wrote blog posts and videos about them. After the conference he filmed a YouTube video about WLIA and our Mission, and is as well as a review of GeoData@Wisconsin, published on his blog. He continually brings attention to WLIA and GIS in Wisconsin. Considering how much traveling he does, it is impressive that he keeps promoting us. Joseph's acceptance speech is available here.
Outstanding Contribution Award – David Buehler
Given to an individual or an organization that is a WLIA member and has made a substantial contribution to WLIA activities or the Wisconsin Land Information Program (WLIP).
David has been a board member for several terms, providing more to WLIA with each year. He's had a hand in several efforts over the past years: new member recruitment, organizing student volunteers, assembling Survey123 applications for modernizing efforts, the student rideshare app, volunteering to present for countless workshops and sessions, revitalizing the WLIA booth.
President’s Award – Adam Dorn
The President’s Award is a meritorious award given at the President’s discretion. The President may select someone at their discretion based on the support that person offers the President or the Association.
The President's Award this year goes to Adam Dorn for enthusiastically taking on the Leadership Engagement Series. This enthusiasm shows his dedication to his desire to improve WLIA and the greater Land Records community.
Distinguished Service Awards
The Distinguished Service Award is given to outgoing Board members in recognition for their service to the Association.
Our outgoing board members are:
- Kimberly Christman
- Joe Fleischmann
- Laurel Hodkiewicz
- Kim Meinert
- Shelley Witte
Also receiving Distinguished Services Awards for their work on the Board in 2023 are Outgoing Past-President Zach Nienow, President Colter Sikora and Past-President Jennifer Borlick. The Outgoing Past President was awarded to Zach Nienow and Outgoing President was awarded to Jennifer Borlick.
