State Distinguished Service Award

The State Distinguished Service Award is designed to pay the highest chapter tribute to an experienced Extension professional who has consistently exhibited continuing leadership and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery and evaluation in programs of a career of 20 or more years. In their tenure, they must demonstrate measurable impact of their work in meeting clientele needs. Clearly this year’s recipients have done this and more.

Mr. Billy J. Gillum - Lee County Extension Agent - Agriculture & Natural Resources, Giddings

Dr. Ron Howard - Professor & Extension 4-H and Youth Development Specialist, College Station

State Mid-Career Service Award

The State Mid-Career Service Award is designed to pay tribute to experienced Extension professionals with 10 to 20 years of service that have exhibited continuing leadership and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, and evaluation. These recipients exemplify the professionalism and dedication that makes Extension such a valuable state and national resource.

Mr. Ronald Holcomb - Liberty County Extension Agent - Agriculture & Natural Resources, Liberty

Dr. Darlene Locke - Extension 4-H and Youth Development Specialist, Brownwood

Dr. William M. Johnson - Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture, Galveston

State Early Career Service Award

The State Early Career Service Award is designed to recognize the achievements of rising professionals who have shown noteworthy enthusiasm, performance, and accomplishments during their early Extension career of less than 10 years in program design and delivery. Epsilon Sigma Phi honors the following Extension professionals for their accomplishments.

Mr. Brad Davis - Regional Program Specialist - 4-H and Youth Development, North Region - Lubbock

Ms. Kalico Karr Leech - Regional Program Specialist - 4-H and Youth Development, North Region - Vernon

Ms. Michelle Warren - Montgomery County Extension Agent - 4-H and Youth Development, Conroe

State Team Award

This state award recognizes outstanding efforts on the part of a team of Extension staff in responding to and in incorporating a specific educational program. Team efforts are especially important in demonstrating unique and complimentary skills and experience to provide valuable solutions to important needs.

Food Safety Program

              Ms. Patricia Hohensee - Runnels County Extension Agent - Family & Consumer Sciences, Ballinger

              Ms. Jan Yanez - Coke County Extension Agent - Family & Consumer Sciences, Robert Lee

              Ms. Millissa Wright - Concho County Extension Agent - Family & Consumer Sciences, Paint Rock

State Meritorious Support Service Award

This nationally authorized special state award is designed to recognize the many staff in our system, that, over time, have shown support for the mission, program and professional staff of Extension. This award goes to Extension support staff who demonstrate such outstanding support. This year, the award recipients are:

Ms. Phyllis Campbell - Administrative Assistant - County Extension Office, Walker County - Huntsville

Mr. Allison Finley - Local Area Network Administrator - County Extension Office, Harris County - Houston

Mr. Karsten Pearce - Information Technology Associate, Family Development and Resource Management - College Station

Ms. Barbara Szymczak - Office Manager - County Extension Office, Grimes County - Navasota

State Retiree Service Award

The State Retiree Service Award is a designed to recognize retired Extension professionals for the continuing contributions and outstanding service to Extension, Extension programs, and Epsilon Sigma Phi after their retirement. After contributing a lifelong career these individuals continue to value the importance of giving and sharing their knowledge, experience, and time to help others. These individuals truly merit this recognition.

Mr. Bill Adams - Retired Harris County Extension Agent - Horticulture and Life Member, Houston

Ms. Fay Roe - Retired Life Member

Dr. Mary Marshall - Retired Extension Program Development Specialist and Life Member, College Station

State Tenure Award

Tenure levels for Extension professionals have been recognized by Epsilon Sigma Phi chapters for many years. The 25-year milestone has been almost universally spotlighted, and is designed to recognize those Extension professionals who have made service their career and have demonstrated the professionalism and dedication we all hope to achieve. This year’s recipients who have reached that milestone are worthy of recognition.

Ms. Teresa Criswell Smith - Extension Program Specialist III - Youth & Family , FDRM - College Station

Dr. Jo Lynn Jennings - Harris County Extension Agent - Family and Consumer Sciences, Houston

Dr. Dale A. Fritz - District 9 Extension Administrator, College Station