
Virgil Masayesva Tribal Air Programs Excellence Award
Purpose of the award:
To recognize outstanding contributions to the protection of air quality, health and our environment throughout Indian country. The award recognizes tribal environmental staff, tribal air programs, or other environmental professionals that have demonstrated leadership in tribal air programs.
Tribal Air Programs Excellence Awardees
2025 Awardees

2025
Ak-Chin Indian Community: Left to Right: Ralph “Manny” Gomez, Roman Orona
2022, 2023, 2024 Awardees

2022
Bishop Paiute: Emma Ruppell

2022
Confederated Tribes of the Colville: Chris Ray

2023
Gila River Indian Community: Pat Mariella (retired)

2023
Quapaw Nation: Craig Kreman

2024
Yurok Tribe: Joe Hostler, Tribal Development Program
2019, 2020, 2021 Awardees

2019
Pechanga: Gillian Mittelstadt, Tribal Healthy Homes Network

2020
Penobscot Nation: Bill Thompson

2021
LaJolla Band of Mission Indians: Frank Spurgeon
2016, 2017, 2018 Awardees

2016
Rosalie Kalistook, Orutsararmiut Native Council, Policy Development Excellence
Angela Benedict, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe – Tribal Program Development

2017
Jason Walker, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation – Policy Development Excellence.
Northern Cheyenne Tribe Air Quality Division – Tribal Program Development

2018
(L-R) James Payne, EPA-OAQPS; Brandon Gutierrez, Morongo; Pam Atcitty, Morongo; and Jon Castillo, Morongo (not pictured – Jessica Southard)
2013, 2014, 2015 Awardess

2013
Syndi Smallwood, Pechanga Band of Lusefio Indians – Policy Development Excellence

2014
Delbert Altaha, White Mountain Apache Tribe – Tribal Program Development

2015
Randy Ashley, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – Technical Excellence.
Dan Blair, Gila River Indian Community – Tribal Program Development
2010, 2011, 2012 Awardees

2010
Bishop Paiute Tribe: Dr. Toni Richards

2011
Navajo Nation EPA Radon Program – Tribal Program Development.
Joy Wiecks, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa – Policy Development Excellence

2012
Brandy Toft, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe – Tribal Program & Policy Development
2007, 2008, 2009 Awardees

2007
Roxanne Ellingson, Walker River Paiute Tribe

2007
Southern Ute Indian Tribal Air Quality Program

2008
Dwayne Beavers (for former work with Cherokee Nation Environment Program)
Nez Perce Tribal Air Quality Program

2009
Forest County Potawatomi Community Air Resource Program.
Special Certificate given to Jeff Crawförd, Attorney General, Forest Co Potawatomi Community
CONNECT WITH US
Christopher Lee
Program Manager
Christopher.Lee@nau.edu
TAMS Center:
702-784-8264
Darlene Santos
Administrative Assistant, Sr.
Darlene.Santos@nau.edu
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