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INARF 2023 Annual Awards Nominees

The INARF Annual Awards offers a platform that provides INARF members the opportunity to publicly recognize their staff, individuals supported, and community partners who embrace individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. INARF believes all the nominees are truly deserving of this recognition and therefore we are proud to spotlight our INARF Annual Award Nominees. Each award category shares a list of nominees with a brief description as to why they were nominated. The INARF Annual Awards winners of each category were announced at the INARF Annual Awards Recognition Program on October 4 as part of the INARF Annual Conference.
Award Categories
Justin Dart Personal Achievement Award
The Justin Dart Personal Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has participated in services through an INARF member organization and who has maximized their skills and abilities to achieve their chosen goals. Achievements may include volunteerism, advocacy on behalf of disability issues, and/or upward mobility and dedication to reaching their personal goals. 

2023 Award Winner: Rebekah Geist / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Eli Alexander / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Bryan Ballard / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Amanda Butcher / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Dylan Feil / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Libbi Higginbotham / Organization: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Donald Knapp / Organization: The Arc Southwest Indiana

Rett Larimore / Organization: Easterseals Rehabilitation Center

Rebecca (Becky) Oaks / Organization: The Arc of Greater Boone County

Robert Rist / Organization: Corvilla, Inc.

Keystone Award
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding Direct Support Professional employed by an INARF member organization. Qualified candidates manifest, through personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the human service/habilitation industry. Candidates qualifying for this award must currently be employed in the role of Direct Support Professional, have three (3) years minimum employment as a Direct Support Professional and actively participate in on-going professional development. 

2023 Award Winner: Tabitha Johnson, / Organization: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Jennifer Boggess / Organization: Corvilla, Inc.

Tisha Carter / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Karen Cox / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Misty Doerscher / Organization: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Janet Famewo / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Karen Frazier / Organization: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Michael Haverly / Organization: St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities

Bessie Henson / Organization: LEL Home Services, LLC

Barb Horvath / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Tia Lacy / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Phil McFarland / Organization: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Gordon Parker / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Jess Pendygraft / Organization: Blue River Services, Inc. (RBR Alliance)

Lisa Pierce / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Javier Rosa / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Chris Scales / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Liz Shireman / Organization: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Linda Tuyisingize / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Jessica Valencia / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Angela Webb / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Lisa Young / Organization: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Pinnacle Award
The Pinnacle Award is presented to an outstanding professional level staff member employed by an INARF member organization. The nominees represent outstanding individual dedication to advocacy, innovation, education and inspiration, and are recognized for their leadership among others within their organization. 

2023 Award Winner: Brandi Foreman, / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Ari Campbell / Organization: Tangram, Inc.

Jeanne Eaves / Organization: LEL Home Services, LLC

Lindsey Fay / Organization: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Kim Fledderman / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Betsy Gorman / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Olivia Kaplan / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Tim Kendrick / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Margaret Oberweiser / Organization: The Arc of Greater Boone County

Brandon Shumaker / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Anne Titus / Organization: Benchmark Human Services

Daniel Winemiller / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award
​The James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees present outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen, ethical demeanor and professional posture to further the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state. 

2023 Award Winner: Allison Wharry / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Lloyd Jones / Organization: Life Adult Day Academy, Inc.

Carmela Toler / Organization: LEL Home Services, LLC

Partnership Award
The Partnership Award is presented to a community partner (i.e. individual, business, club, educational institution or corporation) making significant contributions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and the organizations serving them. Partners may also display dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities through innovative approaches to service delivery and by helping form positive public images of people with disabilities. 

2023 Award Winner: Pokagon Band of Potowatomi and its Four Winds Casinos / Nominated by: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Evan King Health Markets / Nominated by: Carey Services, Inc.

Indiana Wesleyan University / Nominated by: Carey Services, Inc.

Aunalytics / Nominated by: Corvilla, Inc.

Toccoa Coffee / Nominated by: Corvilla, Inc.

Washington Community Schools Lady Hatchets Basketball Team / Nominated by: Developmental Services, Inc.

Integrity Academy of Martial Arts / Nominated by: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Country Kettle Restaurant / Nominated by: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

Hacienda / Nominated by: Marshall-Starke Development Center, Inc.

PNC Bank / Nominated by: New Hope of Indiana

Corteva Agriscience / Nominated by: Noble, Inc.

Knights of Columbus #1131 / Nominated by: The Arc of Southwest Indiana

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