2026 Director’s Awards
The 23rd Annual Director’s Recognition Awards took place on March 26th at the California Natural Resources Agency’s Auditorium and were livestreamed. The ceremony may still be viewed at this link. As in previous years, interpreters stood with other departmental staff so honored. Their work represents the fulfillment of the missions of both the department and our division. Awardees also demonstrate the importance of working alongside staff outside the traditional confines of interpretation and further opportunities for collaboration. A list of recipients either from the field of interpretation or who teamed up with interpreters follows.
Inspiration Award – Winter Bonnin, State Park Interpreter II
Winter Bonnin, State Park Interpreter II. Photo by Brian Baer
Resilience Award – Will Rogers SHP Collections Evacuation Team (includes Barbara Tejada, Ana Chamul, Maria Garcia, Bill Hamm, Eugene Mendicelli, Michael Moss, Lupe Nichols, Noa Rishe Khalili, Damian Ruddy, Ann Stansell)
Pictured From left to right: Armando Quintero, Director, California State Parks; Barbara Tejada, Cultural Resources Program Manager; Maria Garcia, Senior Park Aide; Ana Chamul, Senior Maintenance Aide (retired); Noa Rishe, Senior Environmental Scientist; Ann Stansell, Associate State Archaeologist; Lupe Nichols, Senior Maintenance Aide; Eugene Mendicelli, Restoration Work Specialist; Bill Hamm, State Park Interpreter I; Michael Moss, Environmental Scientist; Damian Ruddy, Museum Curator II.
Will Rogers SHP Collections Evacuation Team. Photo by Brian Baer
Trailblazer Award – Scott Green, Associate State Archaeologist (Poetry in Parks)
Scott Green, Associate State Archaeologist. Photo by Brian Baer
Special Commendation Award – Sutter’s Fort and CA State Indian Museum State Historic Parks Team – (includes Ryan Bangs, Anthony Brown, Travis Carr, Ryan Disch, Park Aide; Betty Evans, Park Aide; Jason Finley, Associate Park and Recreation Specialist; Kyle Floyd, State Park Interpreter I; Theresa Hevelka, Guide I; Heather Holm, Chief, Interpretation & Education Division; Angela Howell, Guide Trainee; Nancy Jenner, Museum Curator II; Jared Jones, Guide II; Illeana Maestas, Associate Park and Recreation Specialist; Devin McCutchen, State Park Interpreter II; Marcella McGill, Taylor Moore, Museum Curator I; Alison Parks, State Park Interpreter III; Marco Reyes, Channey Schaad, Senior Park Aide; Michael Shanahan, Guide I; Emma Silverman, Museum Curator III; Bernadette Soliz, Office Technician; Emily Stevens, Shyanne Sutton, Park Aide; and Bethann Watson, Museum Custodian).
Sutter’s Fort and CA State Indian Museum State Historic Parks Team. Photo by Brian Baer
Special Commendation Award – CA Boater Card Team – (includes Melissa Miranda, Boating Education and Outreach Manager; Evan Becker, Boating Education Analyst II; Daniel Bryant, Boating Education Analyst I; and David Klosinski, Boating Education Analyst II)
Pictured From left to right: Melissa Miranda, Boating and Education Outreach Manager; Evan Becker, Boating Education Analyst II; Heather Holm, Chief, Division of Interpretation & Education.
CA Boater Card Team. Photo by Brian Baer
Special Commendation Award – Crystal Cove SP Visitor Center Overlook Team – (includes Winter Bonnin, State Park Interpreter II; Riley Pratt, Senior Environmental Scientist; Paul Andrus, SP Peace Officer Supervisor II (Lifeguard); David Ball, Maintenance Supervisor; Brian Carlson, Park Maintenance Chief I; Joe Fayer, Associate State Archaeologist; Martin Kansriddle, Maintenance Worker I; and Constance Leong, Senior Maintenance Aide)
Pictured next to Armando: Marty Kansriddle, Maintenance Worker I; David Ball, Maintenance Supervisor; Constance Leong, Senior Maintenance Aide; Melissa Potts, California State Parks Foundation Senior Program Manager; Ashley Moore, California State Parks Foundation Director of Marketing & Communications; Winter Bonnin, State Park Interpreter II.
Crystal Cove SP Visitor Center Overlook Team. Photo by Brian Baer