Walt H. Evans Memorial Award
The Walter H. Evans Memorial Award was established by PNWA in 2018. Walt Evans was a mentor to countless PNWA members in the Northwest, as well as PNWA staff for several decades. The Walter H. Evans Memorial Award is intended to honor outstanding contributions by a PNWA member to the Northwest port and maritime community, as well as outreach and mentorship of PNWA members and colleagues.
| Year | Honoree | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tom Kammerzell | Port of Whitman County |
| 2024 | Capt. Dan Jordan | Columbia River Bar Pilots |
| 2023 | Brien Flanagan | Schwabe |
| 2022 | Glen Squires | Washington Grain Commission |
| Year | Honoree | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Mark Wilson | Port of Kalama |
| 2020 | Rob Rich | Shaver Transportation |
| 2019 | Don Mann | Port of Cascade Locks |
| 2018 | Capt. Paul Amos | Columbia River Pilots |
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award honors individuals whose leadership and dedication have significantly advanced PNWA’s priorities, projects, and policies. Nominees are recognized not only for their contributions to the broader maritime industry and Northwest economy, but also for their active involvement in PNWA—including committee participation, event engagement, and support for organizational initiatives. Their efforts demonstrate a lasting impact on PNWA’s mission, strengthening both member organizations and the regional maritime community.
| Year | Honoree | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Scott Corbitt | Port of Lewiston |
| 2025 | Matt Harris | Washington State Potato Commission |
| 2025 | Tabitha Reeder | Port of Kalama |
| 2025 | Laura Gurley | Port of Everett |
| 2025 | Richard Vincent | Port of Portland |
| 2024 | Alex McGregor | The McGregor Company |
| 2024 | Capt. Jeremy Nielsen | Columbia River Pilots |
| 2024 | John Hicks | USACE Seattle District |
| 2024 | Kenny Koebberling | USACE Walla Walla District |
| 2024 | Michelle Hennings | Washington Wheat Growers Association |
| 2023 | Dan Worra | Port of Anacortes |
| 2023 | Jerry Klemm | Port of Lewiston |
| 2023 | Kristin Meira | American Cruise Lines |
| 2023 | Valerie Ringold | USACE Portland District |
| 2022 | Alan Feistner | USACE Walla Walla District |
| 2022 | Gary Nelson | Port of Grays Harbor |
| 2022 | Jay Waldron | Schwabe |
| 2022 | Jaynie Bentz | Port of Lewiston |
| 2022 | John Coyle | CRSOA, Bluewater |
| 2021 | Dave Doeringsfeld | Port of Lewiston |
| 2021 | Dave Harlan | Port of Toledo |
| 2021 | Kate Mickelson | Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association (CRSOA) |
| 2021 | Randy Hayden | Port of Pasco |
| 2021 | Ryan McFarland | Port of Seattle |
| 2020 | Dakota Chamberlain | Port of Tacoma |
| 2020 | Dave Konz | Tidewater Transportation |
| 2020 | Guy Glenn | Ports of Ilwaco & Chinook |
| 2020 | Wanda Keefer | Port of Clarkston |
| 2019 | Bruce Reed | Tidewater Transportation |
| 2019 | Deb Bone-Harris | Franklin PUD |
| 2019 | Jerry Oliver | Port of Vancouver |
| 2019 | Les Reardanz | Port of Everett |
| 2019 | Tom McCollough | Moffatt & Nichol |
| 2018 | Gary Neal | Port of Morrow |
| 2018 | Guy Stephenson | Westwood Shipping |
| 2018 | Jess Groves | Port of Cascade Locks |
| 2018 | John Love | Port of Whitman County |
| 2018 | Rick Davis | Port of Clarkston |
| 2018 | Valerie Folkema | Port of Garibaldi |
| Year | Honoree | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Andy Rajala | USACE Walla Walla District |
| 2017 | Brian Wolfe | Port of Vancouver |
| 2017 | Doug Clarke | USACE Northwest Division |
| 2017 | Jeff Ament | USACE Portland District |
| 2017 | Mark Sawka | USACE Portland District |
| 2017 | Nic Ivy | USACE Walla Walla District |
| 2017 | Rob Rich | Shaver Transportation |
| 2017 | Robert Larson | Port of Benton |
| 2016 | Dan James | Bonneville Power Administration |
| 2016 | Jim Kuntz | Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority |
| 2016 | Lt. Col Tim Vail | USACE Walla Walla District |
| 2016 | Pat Trapp | Port of St. Helens |
| 2016 | Patsy Martin | Port of Skagit |
| 2016 | Steve Stockton | USACE Headquarters |
| 2015 | Arvid Lyons | Lewis Clark Terminals |
| 2015 | Beth Ginsberg | Stoel Rives |
| 2015 | Bob Hollenbeck | USACE Walla Walla District |
| 2015 | Byron Hanke | Clark PUD |
| 2015 | Gary Lewin | Columbia River Bar Pilots |
| 2015 | Nancy Baker | Port of Vancouver |
| 2015 | Paul Wemhoener | Port of Walla Walla and USACE |
| 2014 | Ann Glassley | USACE Walla Walla District |
| 2014 | Bill Wyatt | Port of Portland |
| 2014 | Capt. Paul Amos | Columbia River Pilots |
| 2014 | John Mohr | Port of Everett |
| 2014 | Kevin Brice | USACE Portland District |
| 2014 | Martin Callery | Port of Coos Bay |
| 2013 | Don Mann | Port of Newport |
| 2013 | Jim Neva | Port of Ilwaco |
| 2013 | Jim Toomey | Port of Pasco |
| 2013 | Sheryl Carrubba | USACE Portland District |
| 2013 | Walt Evans | Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt |
| 2012 | Amber Hansen | Port of Sunnyside |
| 2012 | Diane Perry | Port of Portland |
| 2012 | John Hicks | USACE Seattle District |
| 2012 | Ken O’Hollaren | Port of Longview |
| 2012 | Lanny Cawley | Port of Kalama |
| 2012 | Whit Olson | Foss Maritime |
| 2011 | Alice Parker | Columbia Basin Development League |
| 2011 | Larry Paulson | Port of Vancouver USA |
| 2011 | Laura Hicks | USACE Portland District |
| 2011 | Mark Dasso | USACE Portland District |
| 2011 | Pat Duyck | USACE Portland District |
| 2011 | Steve Hartman | USACE Walla Walla District |
Golden Anchor Award
The Golden Anchor Award recognizes PNWA members who are preparing to retire. This honor acknowledges their years of active involvement with PNWA and their significant contributions to the maritime industry. As they conclude their professional careers, we celebrate the lasting impact they have made on the maritime community and extend our best wishes for the journey ahead.
| Year | Honoree | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Adam Fulton | Port of Longview |
| 2025 | Dan Stahl | Port of Longview |
| 2025 | Jack Burkman | Port of Vancouver |
| 2025 | Jeanne Rychman | Port of Pasco |
| 2025 | Jerry Klemm | Port of Whitman County |
| Year | Honoree | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | John Akre | Port of Portland |
| 2025 | Julie Rawls | Port of Vancouver |
| 2025 | Randy Lewis | Port of Grays Harbor |
| 2025 | Randy Sweet | Port of Kalama |
Legislator of the Year
The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association’s Legislator of the Year Award is presented annually to honor a Member of Congress who demonstrates exceptional leadership in supporting the maritime, navigation, and economic needs of the Pacific Northwest. This award recognizes legislators who champion policies and investments that strengthen the Columbia Snake River System, Puget Sound, and our coastal waterways, and who work to advance the shared priorities of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Honorees have shown a steadfast commitment to safe and efficient navigation, resilient infrastructure, strong port communities, and the many purposes of our river and coastal systems—including hydropower, flood control, irrigation, trade, and environmental stewardship. Through this award, PNWA expresses its deep appreciation for congressional partners who advocate effectively, collaborate broadly, and help ensure a thriving and competitive region.
| Year | Honoree | State |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sen. Jeff Merkley | OR |
| 2024 | Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers | WA |
| 2023 | Rep. Derek Kilmer | WA |
| 2022 | Sen. Maria Cantwell | WA |
| 2021 | Rep. Peter DeFazio | OR |
| 2020 | Rep. Denny Heck | WA |
| 2019 | Rep. Dan Newhouse | WA |
| 2018 | Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler | WA |
| 2017 | Sen. Jeff Merkley | OR |
| 2016 | Sen. Maria Cantwell | WA |
| Year | Honoree | State |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers | WA |
| 2014 | Rep. Mike Simpson | ID |
| 2013 | Sen. Ron Wyden | OR |
| 2012 | Rep. Norm Dicks | WA |
| 2011 | Rep. Greg Walden | OR |
| 2010 | Sen. Patty Murray | WA |
| 2008 | Rep. Peter DeFazio | OR |
| 2007 | Rep. Doc Hastings | WA |
| 2006 | Rep. Brian Baird | WA |
| 2005 | Sen. Patty Murray | WA |