Russell J. "Rusty" Hammer Memorial Scholarship Award

The Russell J. “Rusty” Hammer Memorial Scholarship Award has been established by the Western Association of Chamber Executives to annually recognize a chamber chief executive who best exemplifies excellence and professionalism and is deemed to have the potential to be a future chamber industry leader.
The award is given in recognition of Russell J. “Rusty” Hammer, who was named W.A.C.E. Executive of the Year in 2002 and served as Chairman of the Board of the association in 2003. Rusty, who served as CEO of the Sacramento Metro and Los Angeles Area Chambers of Commerce, sadly had his life and career cut short in 2008 after a several-year battle with leukemia.
Because of his interest in the Academy program and furthering the professionalism of chamber of commerce executives, W.A.C.E. has decided to link the Russell J. “Rusty” Hammer Award with the program by awarding the recipient a full-tuition 3rd year Academy scholarship.

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2024 Recipient:  Rebecca McCourt
Ridgecrest (CA) Chamber

WACE Board Chair Kami Welch (L) and Gerald Hammer (R) congratulate Rebecca McCourt, President/CEO of the Ridgecrest (CA) Chamber.

Award Eligibility:
To qualify for the Rusty Hammer Memorial Scholarship Award, applicants must meet the following criteria

1. Must be a full-time chief executive of a chamber of commerce.
2. Must be a W.A.C.E. member in good standing.
3. Must have successfully completed the 2nd year program of Academy.
4. Must attend the annual W.A.C.E. conference and, if selected as a finalist, be available for a Zoom interview with the selection committee.
5. Upon receiving the award, must agree to enroll in 3rd year Academy.

Previous Recipients (*still in chamber work)

2008 - Betty "B" Gorman
2009 - Ann Glasscock*
2010 - Glenn Morris*
2011 - Ermina Karim
​2012 - Jeremy Harris*
​2013 - Bill Allen

2014 - Dan Rodriguez
2015 - Mark Turner
2016 - Gina Fitzpatrick*
2017 - Susan Wan-Ross*
​2018 - Mandy Le
2019 - Shannon Buckmaster

2020 - No Award Given
2021 - Zeb Welborn*
2022 - Josh Cross*
​2023 - Bo Hellams*