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.
Josh Cross Atascadero (CA) Chamber
(L) Josh Cross, President/CEO of the Atascadero (CA) Chamber, is presented with the Hammer Award by Zeb Welborn (R) , President of the Chino Valley (CA) Chamber.
