73rd Annual Meeting and Awards

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2025 Award Recipients

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Caitlin DeVriendt

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Roger Mallan

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Laura Hoffman

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Michele Tate

2024 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Austin American Legion Post 91

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Vanessa Pettitt

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Beth Tobak
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Wendy Whalen

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Josh Dibble

2023 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Discover Austin

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Jon Baumgartner

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - United Way of Mower County

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Steve Barrett
 
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR - Barb Keist and Carol Schlichter

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Kelly May

2022 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Mower County Senior Center

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Alycia Newago

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Paul and Joanne Worlein & Family 

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Dawn Helgeson
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Steven Mallan

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Lydia Benedict

2021 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Hill, Larson, & Walth, P.A.

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Kersten Tollefson

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Kathleen Huffman

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Mary Barinka
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - John Gray

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Emily Johnson

2020 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Hormel Historic Home

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Robin Corwin

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Tessa Bucknell
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Robert Corwin

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Laura Hoffman

2019 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Austin Eagles Club - Aerie 703 and Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center​

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Brian Lewis

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - John Wright, KAUS

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - April VonRuden, Mower County 4-H
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Roger Mallan

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Angel Horvat and Steven Mallan

2018 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Amy Baskin, Austin Public Schools Community Education

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Noon Kiwanis of Austin
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Margaret (Margo) Bissen

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Julie Sucha

2017 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR  –  Reichel Foods, Tom Weichmann

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR  – George C. Percival

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD  –  Al Smith

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Jeff Baldus, Austin Area Foundation

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Crystal Steinbach 

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Chad Johnson

2016 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR  –  Austin Hy-Vee Catering

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR  – Joyce Flaherty

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD  –  Kathleen Huffman

PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR – Amy Blackstad and Jennifer Douty
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – John Gray

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Ashley Hanson

2015 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR  –  Austin Park and Recreation Department

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR  – Jenny Spear

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD  –  Heidi Hillson at SEMCAC, Austin

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Beverly Atzl
 
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Roger Mallan

ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Aubrey Birk

2014 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR  –  Echo Lanes

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR  – Randy Blaser

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD  –  Linda Gibeau

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Sara Gilberg

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Laura Tjomsland
 
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Tyra Wiles and Roy Rolfson

2013 Award Recipients

COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR  –  ABC 6 News KAAL

DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR  – Cardinal of Minnesota - Austin Staff

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD  –  The Hormel Foundation

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Eileen Burkhart

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Linda Gibeau
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ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Jacob Reisnour