2010 Honorary Awards Recipients

During the OWAA Honorary Awards program held closing night of OWAA's annual conference, this year in Rochester, Minn., several conference attendees received OWAA's highest honors. 2010 honorary award recipients include Michael Levy, Ham Brown Award; Terry Brady, Jade of Chiefs Award; Glen Lau, Excellence in Craft Award; Joan Turner, Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award; and Mary Nickum, Outstanding Board Member Award. Honorary award recipients are chosen annually, typically recognized at OWAA's annual conference.

2010 J. Hammond Brown Memorial Award

The J. Hammond Brown Memorial Award was initiated in 1966 as OWAA's most prestigious recognition of a member "for devoted past service to the organization over a period of continuous years." Ham Brown awardees are granted life membership. Past recipients constitute the selection committee. Before the final selection, the selection committee consults both the Awards Committee chair and the immediate past president.


Michael Levy, of Williamsville, N.Y., received the 2010 J. Hammond Brown Memorial Award. Freelance writer, editor and book author, Levy served as OWAA president in 1993-94 and is a Life Member, with his membership originating in 1982. Upon receiving the award, Levy said, “Though deeply appreciative, it is important to note that I could never do as much for the organization as OWAA membership did for me – and does for you: Professional growth, a multitude of contacts, and a window to places and pastimes we might never find fishing only in home waters, hunting solely in our own territory.”

2010 Jade of Chiefs Award

The Jade of Chiefs Award was established in 1958 as OWAA's top conservation award. Though only OWAA members are eligible, the award is presented not by OWAA but by members of the current Circle of Chiefs. Before making a final selection, the selection committee consults with both the Awards Committee chair and the immediate past president. Tenure and position in or service to OWAA are not criteria for this award. The Jade of Chiefs Award represents an affirmation of OWAA adherence to and support of the principles of conservation. In 1963, the Circle of Chiefs was designated OWAA's Conservation Council. As such, it is OWAA's conservation policy spokesman. The award originally consisted of sterling silver cuff links set with New Zealand jade. A pewter belt buckle inlaid with jade or a jade pendant and a plaque are presently awarded.

Terry Brady of Zieglerville, Penn., deputy press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, received OWAA’s top conservation award. An Active Member of OWAA since 1986, Brady is also a freelance saltwater fishing columnist. Prior to his current position with the Pennsylvania DCNR, Brady spent 28 years working for daily newspapers, writing outdoors columns.

2010 Excellence in Craft Award

The Excellence in Craft Award was initiated in 1971 to honor an OWAA member "for outstanding effort in upholding the OWAA Creed and continued excellence in craft." Recipients are selected by past Excellence in Craft Award recipients. Before making a final selection, the selection committee consults with both the Awards Committee chair and the immediate past president.

Glen Lau, of Ocala, Fla., received OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Award. An OWAA member since 1969, Lau is a film maker and producer of several national TV series and documentaries. He is producer and host of “Quest For Adventure” TV series on TNN and also produces commercials and infomercials. Lau also has a still photography library specializing in underwater photos.

2010 Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award

The Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award honors the special qualities Jackie brought to OWAA and into the personal lives of members. It encourages everyone to exhibit these qualities in their lives. Recipients exemplify Jackie's genuine warmth and radiance, goodwill, helpfulness, generosity and kindness to others, especially at conference. OWAA members and spouses are eligible. The selection committee consists of past recipients and Boyd Pfeiffer. Before making a final selection, the selection committee consults with both the Awards Committee chair and the immediate past president.

The recipient of the 2010 Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award is Joan Turner of Columbia, Mo. “Joan Turner represents these qualities as a recipient of the Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award – genuine warmth, radiance, good will, helpfulness, generosity and kindness to others. She also has the rare quality of grace,” said last year’s recipient, Kay Richey, when presenting Turner with the award.

2010 Outstanding Board Member Award

Mike Cramford, during his term on the board of directors, felt that outstanding board members should be recognized in a special way. In 1974 and 1975, he presented four board members with jade bolo ties as a memento of service to OWAA. The board continued the bolo tradition until 1985. Now, a plaque is presented. Fellow board members select recipients.

Mary Nickum of Fountain Hills, Ariz., received the Outstanding Board Member Award. A member since 2000, Nickum is a retired librarian who is now an editor and freelance writer. Her primary focus is on science for the public. Nickum is editor-in-chief of the Intermountain Journal of Science and currently edits World Aquaculture magazine.

Information about Excellence in Craft award winners can be found here.