Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Recognizes Top Communicators

gengberg July 9th, 2009

OWAA Recognizes Top Communicators
MISSOULA, Montana- At its recent annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), The Voice of the Outdoors, honored five with its most distinguished awards.Bill Hilts Sr., of Sanborn, N.Y., received the 2009 J. Hammond Brown Memorial Award. The award is OWAA’s most prestigious recognition of a member “for devoted past service to the organization over a period of continuous years.” Editor of Bear Journal, Hilts served as OWAA president in 1990-91 and is a Life Member, with his membership originating in 1961.

Jay Cassell, of Katonah, N.Y., received OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Award. The award honors an OWAA member “for outstanding effort in upholding the OWAA Creed and continued excellence in craft.” An OWAA member since 1977, Cassell is the deputy editor of Field & Stream Magazine. “Jay is the editor’s editor,” said Dave Richey, when presenting Cassell with the award. “Anyone who can survive working for all three of the Big Three is a brilliant editor.”

Jim Low, of Jefferson City, Mo., news services coordinator for the Missouri Department of Conservation, received OWAA’s top conservation award. The Jade of Chiefs Award represents an affirmation of OWAA adherence to and support of the principles of conservation. Low served as OWAA president in 2006-07. He holds degrees in journalism and wildlife management from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The recipient of the 2009 Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award is Kay Richey of Buckley, Mich. Recipients exemplify Pfeiffer’s genuine warmth and radiance, goodwill, helpfulness, generosity and kindness to others, especially at conference. Richey is a book designer and publisher specializing in layout of outdoor books and newsletters.

Mark Taylor of Roanoke, Va., received the Outstanding Board Member Award. Currently the outdoors editor of The Roanoke Times, Taylor is a native of rural southern Oregon. After graduating from Northwestern University in 1988, he served four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy before moving into a journalism career in 1993.

Since its inception in 1927, OWAA has become the largest and oldest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. OWAA’s mission is to improve the professional skills of its members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators. The national headquarters is located in Missoula, Mont.

For more information on the OWAA conference, these awards and award winners, visit the organization’s Web site atwww.owaa.org http://owaa.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5ebfc8472ff071531163077b9&id=84a6a07e1d&e=a4d9ae8a2b .
Contact:
Kevin Rhoades, krhoades@owaa.org or (406) 728-7434

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