Awards & Recognition
2024 Award Winners Press Releases
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Lifetime Legislative Achievement 2024 Award Winner, Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr
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Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices 2024 Award Winner, New River Valley Recovery Ecosystem
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2024 Gordon N. Dixon Award Winners, Phil North & Patricia Paige​​
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2024 Rober W. Baker Award Winner, Dr. Tamarah Holmes
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2023 Award Winners Press Releases
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Legislator of the Year 2023 Winner, Delegate Delores L. McQuinn
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All Other 2023 Winners
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Robert W. Baker Achievement Award​ Winner, Michelle Edwards
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Gordon N. Dixon Award Winners, David Tarter & Melody Foster
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Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award Winners:
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Hampton Roads Planning District Commission’s (HRPDC) Roadway Flooding Sensors Project​
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President's Award Winner, Kim Callis
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2022 Award Winners Press Releases
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Legislator of the Year 2022 Winner, Delegate David L. Bulova
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All Other 2022 Winners
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Robert W. Baker Achievement Award​ Winner, Mike Hawkins
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Gordon N. Dixon Award Winner, Jim Baldwin
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Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award Winners:
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George Washington Regional Commission's Continuum of Care
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New River Valley Regional Commission's Business Continuity Team​
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President's Award Winner, Robert K. 'Bob' Coiner
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Robert W. Baker Achievement Award
In 1965, following retirement from the U.S. Army, Robert W. "Bob" Baker accepted a position with the Brunswick County Regional Planning and Development Corporation. Later he helped organize the Southside Planning District Commission and served as the Executive Director from 1969 until his death in 1976. Bob Baker was an outstanding leader, strong in character and wisdom, with a dynamic personality filled with an abundance of compassion for his fellowman, and sincere dedication to his work. He recognized the pressing need for regional planning and cooperation, and he specialized in initiating regional projects. Bob was in the forefront in organizing the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions and served as President in the early years. Following his death, the Robert W. Baker Achievement Award was established in the late seventies.
The Robert W. Baker Achievement Award is intended to recognize persons who have been involved directly in planning district commission activities and who have contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and development in Virginia while impacting more than one PDC. Such persons may include governors, state agency heads, mayors, chairs, state division directors, etc. Past Recipients
Gordon N. Dixon Award
The Gordon N. Dixon Award is intended to recognize an executive director or a VAPDC commissioner, but a PDC commissioner as well, who has provided leadership and made outstanding contributions to promoting the concept of regionalism in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For 16 years, Gordon N. Dixon was truly an outstanding example of a regional leader while serving as Executive Director for two planning district commissions-the New River Valley and the Fifth Planning District Commission. He sincerely believed in regional planning and community development. Following his death in 1987, the VAPDC established the Dixon Award to recognize executive directors and commissioners who display exceptional dedication to the regional planning vision for Virginia. Past Recipients
Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award
The Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award recognizes a PDC or a regional organization that has initiated or heightened an existing innovative regional approach or activity that has contributed significantly to regional cooperation. The award recognizes innovation, excellence, commitment and/or service to the advancement of regional planning and multi-jurisdictional cooperation. This award is intended to showcase the creative work and/or the ability to leverage resources and services of our PDC’s. Projects must have been in place and operational for at least 12 months and have measurable benefits. Past Recipients
Legislator of the Year Award
VAPDC’s Legislator of the Year Award is intended to recognize a State Legislator who has provided leadership or has contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and the Planning District Commissions in Virginia. Past Recipients
President's Award
The VAPDC President's Award is intended to recognize an individual who has been involved directly in planning district commission activities and who has contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and VAPDC activities in Virginia.​ Past Recipients
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