Awards

The New Jersey Association of Floodplain Management (NJAFM) aims to honor those who have made exemplary contributions to floodplain management in New Jersey.  Many of the awards are presented annually. However, awards of the highest honor are awarded only when an accomplishment or contribution to flood loss reduction deserves special recognition. 

Nominations are requested from the NJAFM membership. Recipients are announced each year at the NJAFM Annual Conference. 

Lifetime Floodplain Management Achievement

This award is given by the Association to individuals who are highly instrumental in carrying forward the goals and objectives of floodplain management throughout their career.

Floodplain Management Leadership Award

This award recognizes individuals, other than local officials, who have achieved success in a significant aspect of floodplain management. These efforts shall include, but not be limited to, education, government, policy, research, litigation, outreach, implementation or other actions which demonstrate the advancement of flood loss reduction within the nominee’s professional realm.

Outstanding Local Floodplain Management Official

This award seeks to recognize outstanding individual efforts and contributions at the local level. It is designed to honor an individual responsible for the development of a local program or activity or one who has made great strides to implement and enforce flood hazard reduction at the local level.

Outstanding Floodplain Management Award

This award is given annually to recognize an outstanding floodplain management program, project or activity in New Jersey. Eligible entries include projects, as well as, programs or activities at either a local, state or regional level worthy of recognition.

Media Award

This award was established to acknowledge exemplary efforts on the part of communications media to increase information and/or awareness of flood issues with the general public.

Founder’s Award

This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated long-term leadership to the Association and made significant contributions that have clearly influenced and advanced the Association.

Previous Award Winners

Lifetime Floodplain Management Achievement

Mike Graham (2025)

​John Moyle (2024)

Dr. Stewart Farrell (2023)

Mike Moriarty (2022)

John Scordato (2021)

Marilyn Lennon (2021)

Neil Byrne (2021)

Pat Griggs (2019)

James Watt (2018)

Dr. James K. Mitchell (2017)

Gary Szatkowski (2017)

Ruth Ehinger (2016)

Greg Westfall, CFM (2015)

Paul Weberg, PE (2015)

David Robinson, PhD (2014)

Mark Mauriello (2013)

Joseph J. Skupien, PE, PP (2012)

Not presented in 2011

Raymond Zabihach, PP, AICP (2010)

Joseph Zagone, PE, PLS, CFM (2009)

Dirk Hofman, PE (2008)

Richard Fromuth, PE (2007)

Robert Schopp (2007)

Clark Gilman, PE (2006)

Outstanding Floodplain Management Award

Ocean City (2025)

​Little Falls (2024)

Thomas Song (2023)

Manville (2022)

Pennsville (Salem County) (2021)

Lost Valley Nature Park, Manville (2019)

​Fairfield (Essex County) (2018)

South River (2018)

Bloomingdale (2018)

Woodbridge Township Floodplain Restoration (2017)

New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance (2016)

City of Hoboken, Building Resilient City Guidelines (2015)

Bergen County Flood Efforts (2015)

The New Jersey Recovery Fund (2014)

Morris County Flood Mitigation Program (2013)

Borough of Pompton Lakes (2013)

Monroe Township, Middlesex County (2012)

NJDEP Green Acres Program (2011)

Pat Griggs, FEMA Region 2 (2010)

Rich Einhorn, FEMA Region 2 (2010)

Jacques Cousteau Coastal Education Center (2009)

Wayne Township Residential Home Buyout Project (2008)

Carney's Point Pump Station Project (2007)

NJ Water Supply Authority, Hoffman Park Stream Restoration (2006)  

​Floodplain Management Leadership Award

Bridget Neary (2025)

​ForeRunner (2024)

Chris Crane (2023)

Dr. Michael Horst (2022)

Dennis Dayback (2021)

Henry Gajda (2019)

Margaret Murnane-Brooks (2017)

Joe Barris (2017)

Elissa Commins, PE (2017)

Mike Moriarty (2016)

Lisa Auermuller (2015)

James Watt, CFM (2014)

Mike Graham, CFM (2013)

Dawn Zimmer (2013)

Sal DeSimone, CFM (2012)

Jason Tuber (2012)

Bill Dressel (2011)

Bob Little (2011)

John A. Miller, PE, CFM (2010)

Joseph Ruggeri, PE, CFM (2009)

Lisa Jackson (2008)

Cleighton Smith, PE, CFM (2008)

Paul Miller (2007)

Richard Codey (2006)

Founder’s Award

Chris Crane (2025)

​Joe Ruggeri (2024)

​Brian Kempf (2023)

Vincent Mazzei (2022)

Cleighton Smith (2021)

Craig Wenger (2019)

Fawn McGee (2018)

Palma Accardi (2018)

Robert Anastasia (2018)

Mark Herrmann (2018)

Jim Watt, CFM (2017)

Andrew Banff (2016)

Margie Brown (2015)

Richard Franks, CFM (2015)

Chris Gould, CFM (2014)

Craig Wenger, CFM (2013)

Greg Westfall (2012)

Cynthia Bianco, PE, CFM (2011)

​Heidi Hoppe (2011)

Mark Mauriello (2010)

Adam Slutsky, PE, CFM (2009)

Laura Tessieri, PE, CFM (2008)

John Scordato (2007)

Mike Graham, CFM (2007)

​John Miller, PE, CFM (2006)

Outstanding Local Floodplain Management Official

Anthony Cox (2025)

​Kurt Otto (2025)

Jamison Zimmermann, CFM (2024)

James DeMaria (2022)

Mary Tangolics, CFM (2019)

Thomas Flynn (2018)

Richard Bolan, CFM (2017)

Louis F. Fischer, CFM (2017)

Russell Harris (2017)

Bonnie Flynn, PP, AICP (2016)

James Galantino, CFM (2016)

Edward Striedl, CFM (2015)

Paul Dietrich, PE, CFM (2015)

Elissa Commins, PE (2014)

Bob Burlew (2013)

Neil Byrne (2012)

Gary Garwacke (2012)

Patrick Newton, CFM (2011)

Ed Merrill (2011)

JoAnne Tallon, CFM (2010)

Dorothy O'Haire (2010)

Bruce Funk, CFM (2009)

Philip Cheff, CFM (2009)

Geoffrey Schwartz (2008)

Mike Gardner, CFM (2008)

Ray LaLiberte (2007)

Al Arezzo (2007)

Sal DeSimone, CFM (2006)

​Robert Miller, CFM (2006)  

Outstanding in Outreach

Brian Shaw (2025)

Joseph Danyo, P.E. (2025)

Amada Archer (2024)

​Meghan Mertyris (2023)

Tyler Ardon (2022)

Andrew Banff (2022)

​Beck Jones (2021)

Kenya Lovill (2021)


Media

Bluelabmedia.org (2025)

Craig Welch (2024)

Steve Rodas (2024)

​Dan Skeldon and Palma Shiles (2023)

​Karen Yi (2022)


Excellence in CRS

Borough of North Plainfield (2025)

Rochelle Park (Bergen County) (2024)

Longport, Borough of Atlantic County – Class 5 (2023)

Point Pleasant, Borough of Ocean County – Class 7 (2023)

Sea Isle City, City of Cape May County – Class 3 (2023)

Ocean, Township of Ocean County – Class 6 (2023)

Stafford, Township of Ocean County - Class 5 (2023)

Monmouth County (2022)