Gerald W. Hathaway Award

In memory of Gerald W. Hathaway, a 25-year veteran of the chamber management profession, and CACCE president in 1971, who died of leukemia in 1978.  The award is given to an outstanding chamber staff member for contributions made to specific chamber goals, and/or for personally designing innovative new systems that have contributed significantly to the chamber development, this award includes a scholarship to next year’s W.A.C.E. Conference.

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2024 Recipient:  Maren Cerimele
Vail Valley Partnership (CO)

WACE Board Chair Kami Welch (R) congratulates Maren Cerimele, VP Strategic Initiatives, for the Vail Valley Partnership.

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The following information outlines the required criteria:

1. Candidates must be nominated from staff positions. Chamber chief executive officers are not eligible.
2. The nominee shall have a minimum of two years in chamber work and must be a member of W.A.C.E.
3. Consideration shall be given to an individual who has personally innovated new systems, projects or techniques that have improved the program and contributed significantly to the financial and/or program development of the chamber.
4. The nominee shall have contributed significantly to the chamber management profession through his/her organization involvement or as an individual.
5. Verified professional accomplishment must be considered, along with dedication to the work and devotion to the local chamber of commerce.

Nomination/Application:
Nominations of W.A.C.E. members for the Hathaway Staff Person of the Year Award may be made by another W.A.C.E. member. Staff members may nominate themselves.

Previous Recipients (*still in chamber work)

1980 - Daniel J. McClain
1981 - Dianna Garcia
1982 - Paul Schwartz
1983 - Barbara Bicksler
1984 - Marcie Hochhauser
1985 - Charlene Shaffer
1986 - Virginia Acosta
1987 - Paula McCloskey
1988 - Rose Shuklian
1989 - Bette Jane Conte
1990 - Maggie Cox
1991 - Kathy Hayes
1992 - Tom Guarino
1993 - Janet Whaley
​1994 - Maureen DeVore

1995 - Judith Bean
1996 - Beverly Meamber
1997 - Judy Nelson*
1998 - Gina Graf
1999 - Dolores Krier
2000 - Jil Flores
2001 - Jeff Parker*
2002 - Debbie Moreno
2003 - Marlee Miller
2004 - Shaun Lumachi
2005 - Mike Varney
2006 - Donna Duperron*
2007 - Kyle Sexton
2008 - Jason Brandt
2009 - Toni Padron

2010 - Michael Faust
2011 - Jenifer Furda
2012 - Ann Hutchison*
2013 - John Osborn
2014 - Laura Nagore
2015 - Gary Brackett
2016 - Lori Banzhaf
2017 - Jeremy Harris, ACE*
2018 - Jessica Welch, ACE
2019 - Eddie Truong
2020 - Allison Walden*
2021 - Erik Willias*
2022 - Kim Medina*
2023 - Renay Sehgal Mehta*