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INARF 2024 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 9 as part of the INARF Annual Conference.
Award Categories
Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award
The Justin Dart Jr. Personal Achievement Award is named after Justin Whitlock Dart Jr., an American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. Justin helped to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and is regarded as the "Godfather of the ADA". This award is presented to an individual participating in services through an INARF member organization and who, like Mr. Dart, 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.

2024 Award Winner: Rebecca (Becky) Oaks / Organization:The Arc of Greater Boone County

Heather Bichler / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Ann Castle / Organization: Cardinal Services, Inc.

Evangelynn Gough / Organization: Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana

Matt Leuck-Myers / Organization: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Rebecca (Becki) Maranto / Organization: LEL Home Services, LLC

Shawn McCormick / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Brock Morgan / Organization: Wabash Center, Inc.

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

Thomas Phillips / Organization: Stone Belt Arc, Inc.

Robert Rist / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

LaDiamond Warren / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Keystone Award
The Keystone Award is presented to the most outstanding direct service staff member of 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 front-line direct care such as a Direct Support Professional, Employment Specialist, Behavioral Consultant, etc., and have three (3) years minimum employment.

2024 Award Winner: Michael Hedrington, / Organization: ADEC, Inc.

Adel Barsoum / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Rebecca Crum / Organization: St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities

Brittney Fixel / Organization: Cardinal Services, Inc.

Suzanne Gohier / Organization: LEL Home Services, LLC

Lakeisha Harris / Organization: Wabash Center, Inc.

Michael Hedrington / Organization: ADEC, Inc.

Lisa Kay / Organization: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Tacy Kline / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

Narita Kweheria / Organization: Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana

Summer Morgan / Organization: Easterseals Rehabilitation Center

James Odom / Organization: ResCare, Inc.

Jess Pendygraft ​ / Organization: RBR Alliance, Inc.

Erin Richardson / Organization: The Arc of Greater Boone County

Christopher Scales / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Angela Webb / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Pinnacle Award
The Pinnacle Award is presented to an outstanding professional-level staff member in a leadership / management role 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.

2024 Award Winner: Sherri Bailey / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Sherri Bailey / Organization: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

Kathy D. Ballard, Ph.D / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Cindy Carter / Organization: LEL Home Services, LLC

Kelly Corbin / Organization: Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana

Marjorie Duryea / Organization: Easterseals Crossroads

Timothy Kendrick / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Tim Kendrick / Organization: Carey Services, Inc.

Michelle McGuin / Organization: ADEC, Inc.

Patrick Mitchell / Organization: New Hope of Indiana

Nancy Myers / Organization: ResCare, Inc.

Margaret Oberweiser / Organization: The Arc of Greater Boone County

Mary Ogle / Organization: The Arc of Wabash County

Kathleen Parks / Organization: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Susan Vass / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award
​The James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award is named in honor of longtime INARF executive and retired CEO, James M. Hammond III, who devoted over three decades of his life to expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mr. Hammond began his career with INARF in the early days of the organization, working closely with INARF's founder, Costa N. Miller. Mr. Hammond became INARF's second CEO after Mr. Miller's passing, leading INARF until his retirement in 2012. This award is presented to an outstanding executive/administrator within the INARF membership. The nominees present outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, political acumen (awareness of others/what is going on around you), ethical demeanor and professional posture to further the interests of their organization and those of their colleagues across the state.

2024 Award Winner: Neil Samahon / Organization: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Shane Burton / Organization: Developmental Services, Inc.

LaDonna Everroad / Organization: Sycamore Services, Inc.

Jason McManus / Organization: Wabash Center, Inc.

Neil Samahon / Organization: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Jim Wiltz / Organization: Kestrel Behavioral Health, 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.

2024 Award Winner: G.D. Ritzy’s ​ / Nominated by: Easterseals Rehabilitation Center

​Volunteers for Mental Health in Montgomery County / Nominated by: Abilities Services, Inc.

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

Tom and Karen McKinney / Nominated by: Developmental Services, Inc.

Trine University / Nominated by: Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana

G.D. Ritzy's / Nominated by: Easterseals Rehabilitation Center

Sodexo at Bethel University / Nominated by: LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.

One America Financial / Nominated by: New Hope of Indiana

Urschel Laboratories / Nominated by: Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

21 Petals Flower Farm & Market / Nominated by: Wabash Center, Inc.

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