Member Awards

TAHRA President's Award

This award is given to a TAHRA member by the current President for someone who is considered to be indispensable over the course of the year.

President's Award Recipients

1. 2022 Terasita Cowan, MBA, SHRM-CP, PHR & M.Ed.
2. 2019 Ryan Fox, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CBP, CCP
3. 2018 Alyse McDaniel
4. 2017 Lance Thompson
5. 2016 Kristi Spaethe, SHRM-CP, PHR
6. 2015 Christy Ptak, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
7. 2014 Justice Waidner Smith, MA
8. 2013 Diane Hewitt
9. 2012 Barbara Ware, CRP and Denise Reid
10. 2011 Diem Lewis, SPHR
11. 2010 Julie Callahan, PHR
12. 2009 Sharee Wells
13. 2008 Jennifer Shultz
14. 2007 Julie Callahan, PHR
15. 2006 Bonnie Gorrell
16. 2005 Lona Paganis
17. 2004 William D. Young, Ed. D., SPHR
18. 2003 Christy DePasquale, SPHR & Gloria McCurdy, PHR
19. 2002 Travis Jones & Paul Mackey
20. 2001 W. Kirk Turner
21. 2000 Bill Webb, SPHR
22. 1999 Rosalia Cunningham, PHR
23. 1998 Jan Roberts
24. 1997 Tom Ray
25. 1996 Shannon Warren
26. 1995 Carl Meinick
27. 1994 Pat Davis
28. 1993 Janet Gimlin & Brad Doty
29. 1991 David Strecker

Richard J. Messer Excellence in Human Resources Management Award

The Richard J. Messer Award for Excellence in Human Resources Management was designed to recognize outstanding leadership and achievements in the human resources field. The recipient is an individual who serves as a role model for others, sets the standard by which others are measured and unselfishly gives of themselves to the betterment of TAHRA, the Human Resources profession and the community.

Richard J. Messer Excellence in Human Resources Management Award Recipients

1. 2022 Melissa Lockhart, SHRM-CP, SPHR
2. 2021 Rhonda Siex, SHRM-CP, PHR
3. 2019 Dixie Agostino, SHRM-SCP, CPC
4. 2018 Kristi Spaethe, SHRM-CP, PHR
5. 2017 Heidi Hartman, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
6. 2015 Brandon Brazeel, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
7. 2014 Nancy Gunter, SPHR
8. 2013 Bryan Wempen
9. 2012 Travis Jones
10. 2011 Julie Callahan, PHR
11. 2010 Laura McIntosh, SPHR
12. 2009 Christy DePasquale Ptak, SPHR
13. 2008 Noel Groves
14. 2007 Candia Fields, PHR
15. 2003 W. Kirk Turner
16. 2002 Bill Webb, SPHR
17. 2001 William D. Young Ed.D., SPHR
18. 2000 Rick Messer, SPHR
19. 1999 Dell Rice, SPHR
20. 1998 Tom Ray
21. 1997 Rosalia Cunningham, PHR
22. 1996 Carol Koepernik
23. 1995 Will Williams
24. 1994 Jack Koepernik, SPHR
25. 1993 Shannon Warren
26. 1992 Terri Dillon, SPHR
27. 1991 Willisa Allen & Tony Michela
28. 1990 John Favell
29. 1989 Sharon Scott, SPHR
30. 1988 Bob Brazil

New Professional Award

This special award is designed to recognize an outstanding new professional in our organization. 

New Professional Award Recipients

1. 2021 Jenny Ruggs, SHRM-CP
2. 2019 Brittany Currier, SHRM-CP
3. 2018 Katie Oliver, PHR
4. 2017 Ashley Philippsen
5. 2016 Shalynne Jackson
6. 2015 Jessica Crews
7. 2013 Justice Waidner Smith
8. 2012 Amanda Espino
9. 2011 Kasi McLaughlin
10. 2008 Dan Brown

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award recognizes a chapter member or a company who actively promotes or advances DEI work in their organization or the community (new award formed in 2021).

DEI Award Recipients

1. 2022 David Imerbthama
2. 2021 Denise Reid, SHRM-SCP

HR Department of ONE Award

The Department of ONE Award recognizes a chapter member who has demonstrated an outstanding effort in operating and managing as the sole HR Professional for their company (new award formed in 2021). 

HR Dept of ONE Award Recipients 

1. 2022 Erin Hughes, BBHR
2. 2021 Jackie Ramage, SHRM-CP

TAHRA Members Recognized by the OKHR State Council

TAHRA members awarded with the OKHR State Excellence Award presented annually at the OKHR State Conference.

Oklahoma Excellence in Human Resources Award

1. 2020 Kristi Spaethe, SHRM-CP, PHR
2. 2017 Heidi Hartman, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
3. 2014 Jeff Owens, SHRM-CP, PHR
4. 2012 Christy Ptak, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
5. 2008 Candia Fields, PHR
6. 2007 Kirk Turner
7. 2006 Julie Callahan, PHR
8. 2002 William D. Young, Ed. D., SPHR
9. 2001 Laura McIntosh, SPHR
10. 2000 Delbert Rice, J.D., SPHR