The Order of the Arrow created the Distinguished Service Award in 1940 in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Order. Its purpose is to recognize and honor those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a section, area, regional, or national basis. The award is given primarily for dedicated service to the Order and Scouting over a period of years.
The first recipients chosen in 1940 were 11 pioneer leaders of the Order of the Arrow. The award is a traditional part of the pageantry and ceremony of each National OA Conference; because this year’s conference was cancelled, these presentations will take place locally. Including these selections, only 1,072 Distinguished Service Awards have been presented. This alone is a testament to the award’s high standard of excellence.
The award is a sterling silver arrowhead, bearing an arrow pointing upward and to the wearer’s right, suspended from a white neck ribbon upon which are embroidered red arrows. A white square knot embroidered upon red cloth is available for uniform wear.
Presentation of the award is limited. Arrowmen whose service extends most beyond the local lodge are normally selected. Youth and adults, as well as professional scouters, may receive the award.
Sean Michael Alewine
Sean is from Greensboro, NC and Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge. Sean served as the 2019 Focus Vice Chief for Activation and on the Conference Committee of the 2018 NOAC tasked with the Remote Delegate program, the eNewsletter, and the Website. Sean served two terms as SR-7B Section Chief and one as Section Secretary while also serving on NLS Staffs from 2016 to 2019.
Samuel J. Aronson
Sam is from Washington, DC and Amangamek-Wipit Lodge. Sam has provided strong leadership as a Key Volunteer for OA training through involvement with the NLS rewrite, the ACT program, as well as the Train the Trainer program. Sam served on 14 NLS Staffs among all four regions. He staffed the 2019 World Jamboree and served on the OA Service Corps for the 2017 National Jamboree. Sam provided his youth OA service in Lenapehoking Lodge.
Tracy Ann Atherton
Tracy is from Mission Viejo, CA and Wiatava Lodge. Tracy has been a member of the National OA Committee since 2019. Tracy served as Section Adviser of Section W-4S and provided service to ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and SummitCorps in 2011. She also served at numerous national events including the Project Arrow (OA Trek Guides) program at the last two National Jamborees.
James A. Barton
James is from Charleston, SC and Unali’yi Lodge. James has served on virtually every OA national event staff, working with ceremonies or American Indian Activities, since serving on the 1992 Conference Committee as Section Chief of SE-5. As a youth he served on NLS Staff. His adult service has also included many summers as Camp Director of Camp Ho Non Wah and service on the staff of National Camping Schools.
Kenneth Everett Barton III
Ken is from Macon, GA and Echeconnee Lodge. Ken has served as a trainer for NLS, NLATS, and DYLC courses and served as a Section Associate Adviser in SR-9. Ken has also served on five NOAC staffs and a National Jamboree Staff and has staffed other national and regional OA events. As a youth in Alpharetta, GA, Ken was Lodge Chief of Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge and served as Section Vice Chief of SR-6S in 2007.
Jeremy D. Bedient
Jeremy is from Plainsboro, NJ and Ajapeu Lodge. Jeremy served as the CVC of Engagement at the 2018 NOAC and on the Program Committee and as Social Media Lead for Operation Arrow at the 2017 National Jamboree. Jeremy served as a two-term NE-5 Section Chief, plus one term as Section Secretary, and served in several NE Region roles and National Communication roles for the OA.
Chadd M. Blanchard
Chadd is from Rockwell, IA and Sac-N-Fox Lodge. Chadd has served as the LodgeMaster Project Lead since 2015 and served as a Key Volunteer for the National Subcommittee on Technology. Chadd provided youthful leadership to NEXT in 2016 and the 2017 National Jamboree. Chadd served as Section Chief and Secretary, as well as in other key conclave roles, for Section C-3A.
Travis B. Broadhurst
Travis is from Weaverville, NC and Tsali Lodge. Travis served as the CVC of Adventure Central for the 2015 NOAC and staffed that area again at the 2018 NOAC. Travis has staffed four NLS events and promoted National OA High Adventure by writing numerous articles for publications and social media. Travis served as Section Chief and Vice Chief for Section SR-5.
Shane M. Calendine
Shane is from Argyle, TX and Netopalis Sipo Schipinachk Lodge. Shane has served the BSA as NE Region Director since 2019 and previously served as Western Region Director. Shane has served on NOAC, NLS, and National Jamboree Staffs. Shane served as Papago Lodge Chief and Section W-5A Vice Chief as a youth before beginning a professional career in the BSA in 1992 in which he worked in four councils and served as an Area Director in the Western Region.
Zachary Warren Callicutt
Zach is from Oxford, MS and Chicksa Lodge. Zach served as the 2018 Southern Region Chief and staffed the 2018 NOAC, as well as NEXT in 2016 and the OA programs at the 2017 National Jamboree. Zach staffed NLS events in 2017 and 2018 and provided leadership to the OA Seabreak event in 2018. Zach also served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of SR-6.
James G. Castanzo
Jim is from Lancaster, PA and Wunita Gokhos Lodge. Jim is a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Financial Services, helping year-round with merchandise and marketing designs, and has served on the Special Events staff at the last four NOACs. Jim has staffed DYLC and NLATS courses and served at ArrowCorps5 in 2008. Jim has also served as Associate Adviser in Section NE-6B.
Carroll William Coots
Will is from Oregon, IL and Wulapeju Lodge. Will served as the 2018 Central Region Chief and staffed the 2018 NOAC, as well as the OA Service Corps at the 2017 National Jamboree. Will staffed five NLS events from 2016 to 2018 and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of Section C-7.
Charles Gregory Coutteau
Chuck is from Rochester Hills, MI and Noquet Lodge. Chuck served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Outdoor Adventures and served on Adventure Central Staff at the last three NOACs. Chuck staffed three NLS Events and served as an OA Ocean Adventure Foreman. Chuck also served on the Central Region ArrowTour Staff in 2015 and served as Section Vice Chief of C-2A in 2012.
Christopher M. Craig
Chris is from Fredericksburg, VA and Amangamek-Wipit Lodge. Chris served as the CVC of Training at the 2018 NOAC and as the JVC of Trek Guides at the 2017 National Jamboree. Chris served as Section Chief of NE-6A for 2017 and subsequently, while in college in Spokane, WA, registered with Es-Kaielgu Lodge and served as Section Chief of W-1E for 2018. Chris has staffed NLS events in both the Northeast and Western Regions.
Connor R. Desmond
Connor is from Denver, CO and Tahosa Lodge. Connor served as the co-leader of the SPARK wide game program at the 2015 NOAC and as youth leader of the SEEK wide game program at the 2018 NOAC. Connor provided the same leadership skills to the 2019 World Jamboree connectivity team and the Novus program and served Section W-5S as conclave ceremonies coordinator.
Nina C. Dukes
Nina is from Findlay, OH and Mawat Woakus Lodge. Nina served on every NOAC staff as an AIA instructor since becoming an OA member over 20 years ago. Nina has also served on Indian Village staff at National Jamborees and served as an administrative officer at two OA Indian Summer events and at an ArrowCorps5 site. She serves her section and region as an AIA resource and helped craft AIA guidelines for the participation of young women.
John A. Gasink
John is from North Chesterfield, VA and Nawakwa Lodge. John has served as Director of Props and Costumes for Shows at each NOAC since 1998 and provided similar service at National Jamborees in 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2010. He has also provided adult leadership to conclave shows over the past twenty years.
Susan B. “Sue” Hampton
Sue is from Greensboro, NC and Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge. Sue served as nurse and later chief nurse at the last seven NOACs and served on medical staffs and led medical staffs at the last seven National Jamborees and at the 2019 World Jamboree. Sue also served as a safety officer at one of the ArrowCorps5 sites in 2008.
Benjamin Lloyd Harper
Ben is from Hilton, NY and Tschipey Achtu Lodge. Ben served as the 2019 Philmont OA Trail Crew Director and as Philbreak Director in 2020. Ben has also served three previous summers as a Trail Crew foreman or coordinator and served at Philbreak in 2019. Ben has also worked at Philmont as part of the fall and winter fire recovery teams for the past two years and has served other years on the Philmont Scout Ranch staff.
Eric S. Harrison
Eric is from Taylorville, IL and Illinek Lodge. Eric served as the 2019 National Vice Chief and served on the ARC Staff at the 2018 NOAC. Prior to that Eric served as the 2018 Section Chief and 2017 Section Vice Chief of C-3B. Eric attended PRISM and NEXT in 2016 and served on the staff of numerous NLS events in 2018 and 2019.
Mitchell J. Heisler
Mitchell is from Holyoke, MA and Pocumtuc Lodge. Mitchell served as ArrowTour Vice Chief for NE Region PR & Marketing in 2014 and the ArrowTour road crew in 2015. Mitchell served on 2015 NOAC staff and 2016 NEXT staff and the 2017 OA staff at the National Jamboree. Mitchell served on 12 NLS staffs from 2013-2016, trained at four DYLC conferences from 2017-2019, and served as NE-2A Section Chief in 2014 and Vice Chief in 2013.
Nicholas Thomas Hessler
Nick is from Cincinnati, OH and Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge. Nick has served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Communications and served as National Brand and Identity Lead from 2017-2019 and for the 2018 NOAC. Nick served on the 2015 NOAC Staff and 2017 National Jamboree Staff working with social media. Nick served as Editor of the Central Region OA newsletter, served on several NLS staffs, and served as 2014 Section Secretary for C-6B.
David Paul James
David is from Cheyenne, WY and Kola Lodge. David served as the 2019 Focus Vice Chief for Election Rate. David served as social media lead for the 2018 NOAC and served for the last few years on the National Communications and Training teams. David served as a THRIVE seminar presenter, NLS trainer, and Western Region OA Communications Coordinator. David served as a two-term Section Chief of W-2N in 2018 and 2019 after a term as Section Secretary.
Jordan D. Jefferis
Jordan is from Gresham, OR and Wauna La-Mon’tay Lodge. Jordan served as the 2018 Western Region Chief after serving as Section Chief of W-1S. Jordan served on the 2018 NOAC Staff and provided leadership to the 2019 Focus Conclave 2.0 project. Jordan also participated in NEXT in 2016 and served on NLS staff.
Anthony Daniel Johnson
Anthony is from Elizabethton, TN and Sequoyah Lodge. Anthony provided leadership to the 2016 NEXT event in the Inspiration area and served as National Training Coordinator. Anthony served on shows staff at the 2015 NOAC and served on numerous national OA training staffs and projects from 2017-2020. Anthony served as Southern Region OA registrar for 12 NLS staffs and 3 DYLC staffs from 2017-2020. Anthony served as Section Vice Chief and Section Chief of SR-6.
E. Brandon Kelly
Brandon is from Pittsboro, NC and Occoneechee Lodge. Brandon served on the OA staff at the 2013 and 2017 National Jamborees and served a similar role at the 2019 World Jamboree. Brandon has been a content writer for the OA communications team and staffed the 2018 NOAC. Brandon served as Section Chief of SR-7B in 2017, and prior to that a term as Vice Chief, among other roles in his section.
Robert G. Kennerly, Jr.
Rob is from Madison, NC and Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge. Rob has served as the Southern Region DYLC Coordinator since 2017 and previously served on the staff of NLATS courses. Rob served on NOAC training staffs in 2012, 2015, and 2018 and served as Section Adviser of SR-7B from 2014-2017.
Michael Thomas Kipp
Michael is from Valparaiso, IN and Sakima Lodge. Michael served as the 2018 National Vice Chief, presiding at the 2018 NOAC, and served on the OA Service Corps at the 2017 National Jamboree and staffed the 2015 NOAC. Michael has also worked with the rewriting of the NLS syllabus, staffed NLS courses, participated in Philmont OA Trail Crew, and served as the Section Chief and Vice Chief of C-6A.
Shawn M. Knight
Shawn is from New Boston, MI and Noquet Lodge. Shawn provided key leadership to administrative services – housing, contingent and staff services, and logistics – at the last two NOACs, as well as at NEXT 2016 and at the 2017 OA Hackathon. Shawn also worked with the Conclave 2.0 task force key staff as part of the 2019 OA program of emphasis.
Mitchell Raymond Leonard
Mitch is from Clinton, IA and Konepaka Ketiwa Lodge. Mitch has served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Communications and served as Social Media Youth Lead at NOAC 2015. Mitch also worked in the social media arena at the 2017 National Jamboree and at 2018 NOAC. Mitch staffed several NLS events and OA Service Corps at the 2013 National Jamboree. Mitch was the 2015 Section C-3A Chief following terms as Vice Chief and Secretary.
Tanner Paderick Maris
Tanner is from San Antonio, TX and Aina Topa Hutsi Lodge. Tanner served as National Training Coordinator and as JVC of Recreation for the OA at the 2017 National Jamboree. Tanner served on NLS staffs, on the LLDC Rewrite Taskforce, and as a Crew Guide for NEXT in 2016. Tanner served as Section Chief of SR-3 after having served as Vice Chief and has served in numerous section leadership roles.
Bryan A. Melonis
Bryan is from Denver, CO and Tahosa Lodge. Bryan served as the co-leader of the SPARK wide game program at the 2015 NOAC and as a leader for the SEEK wide game program at the 2018 NOAC. Bryan provided similar leadership skills to the 2019 World Jamboree connectivity team and the Novus program. Bryan served as a Trek Guide for the 2013 National Jamboree, staffed several NLS events, and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of W-5S.
Collin D. Metscher
Collin is from Denver, CO and Tahosa Lodge. Collin served as youth lead to the National Communications Team for the OA and staffed NEXT in 2016, the National Jamboree in 2017, and the World Jamboree in 2019. Collin served as a key trainer in for the Western Region and its NLS events and Collin served three terms as Section Chief of W-2S.
Michael K. Minnis
Mike is from Chandler, AZ and Wipala Wiki Lodge. Mike has served in a variety of staff roles at NOACs from 1988 to present and is a member of the Western Region OA Committee. Mike has staffed NLS events and served four years as W-1W Section Adviser. Mike also served as a Lodge Chief as a youth.
Ethan A. Mooney
Ethan is from Zelienople, PA and Kuskitannee Lodge. Ethan served as the 2019 NE Region Chief and staffed the 2018 NOAC, as well as the OA Service Corps at the 2017 National Jamboree. Ethan staffed five NLS events, the Rover Brigade at the 2019 World Jamboree, and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief of Section NE-4B.
Jeffrey J. Morley
Jeff is from Fairfax, CA and Talako Lodge. Jeff served as Course Director of the National Scouting Historian Summit in 2019 at Philmont and served since 2013 as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Recognition, Awards, History, and Preservation. Jeff served in key leadership roles with the NOAC GEO museum in 2012, 2015, and 2018. Jeff also served on NOAC staffs during the 1980s and was Lodge Chief of Tamet Lodge as a youth.
Trinidad Munoz Sr.
Trini is from Farmers Branch, TX and Mikanakawa Lodge. Trini has served the OA for over 20 years in the arena of logistics and transportation of properties and supplies at national events. Trini has provided support for a similar tenure at each of the annual OA National Planning meetings in Dallas. Trini has served on staffs of National Jamborees, NOACs, and ArrowCorps5.
Ryan Daniel Palmer
Ryan is from Rockland, MA and Tantamous Lodge. Ryan served as the 2019 Focus Vice Chief for Conclave 2.0 Content and served on the staff of the 2018 NOAC. Ryan worked with the 2017 Hackathon and the 2016 NEXT event, and staffed NLS events from 2016-2019. Ryan served in several roles for the NE Region OA and served as Section Chief, Vice Chief, and Secretary in Section NE-1.
Matthew L. Parsons
Matt is from Millsboro, DE and Nentego Lodge. Matt served as the 2019 National Chief and as the CVC of Activities and Recreation at the 2018 NOAC. Matt served on seven NLS staffs prior to becoming National Chief. Matt also served twice as Section Chief and as Section Vice Chief of NE-6A.
Anthony Thomas Peluso
Anthony is from Virginia Beach, VA and Blue Heron Lodge. Anthony served as the 2018 National Chief and served as a Crew Guide for NEXT 2016 and served on the Trek Guides committee for the 2017 National Jamboree. Anthony worked on the 2017-2018 NLS rewrite team and served twice as Section Chief of SR-7A.
Christopher C. Phillips
Chris is from Conway, AR and Quapaw Lodge. Chris served as National DYLC Coordinator from 2017-2019 and served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Training since 2013. Chris also served the Southern Region OA Committee as Vice Chair of Training and staffed numerous Region OA events. Chris is currently the Section Adviser of SR-8 and as a youth was Lodge Chief of Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge.
Brett A. Randall
Brett is from Houston, TX and Colonneh Lodge. Brett served as CVC of Shows for the 2018 NOAC and served on the Operation Arrow staff for the 2017 National Jamboree. Brett has staffed NLS and served as Section Chief and Vice Chief for SR-3, along with a number of other conclave roles.
Travis Matthew Rubelee
Travis is from Overland Park, KS and Tamegonit Lodge. Travis served as the Associate Director of the OA from 2016-2018 and provided valuable leadership to the Order for the national and regional events during that time. Travis served as Section Staff Adviser from 2006-2011 and served on the staff of the 2019 World Jamboree. As a youth, Travis served on NOAC staffs and National Jamboree staff and also served as Lodge Chief of Mikanakawa Lodge.
Sidney J. Salazar
Sid is from Franklin, TN and Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge. Sid served as the 2019 Southern Region Chief and served on staff at the 2018 NOAC and served as a Crew Guide for NEXT in 2016. Sid also worked on the LLD rewrite team in 2017 and served on seven NLS staffs from 2017-2019. Sid served as Section Chief of SR-6 and in other conclave roles for his section.
Tracy Michael Schultze
Tracy is from San Diego, CA and Tiwahe Lodge. Tracy served on the last three museum staffs at NOAC in key logistics roles and also staffed previous NOACs. Tracy also staffed a site at ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and at SummitCorps in 2011 and served as Section Adviser of W-6W from 2014-2016. As a youth, Tracy was the 1997 W-4B Section Chief, as well as Section Secretary, Lodge Chief, and an OA staffer at the 1997 National Jamboree, all while a member of Cahuilla Lodge.
Eric J. Silva
Eric is from Birdsboro, PA and Kittatinny Lodge. Eric has served as the National OA Website adviser since 2015 and has worked with National OA Communications team since 2013. In these roles, Eric provided leadership to NEXT in 2016, the OA activities at the National Jamboree and the OA Hackathon in 2017, and to NOAC in 2018.
Justin David St. Louis
Justin is from Lowell, MA and Pennacook Lodge. Justin served as the 2018 NE Region Chief and served as the JVC of Program at the 2017 National Jamboree. Justin staffed numerous NLS events and served on the National Communications team for the OA. Justin served as the Section Chief, Vice Chief, and Secretary in NE-1.
Brandon R. Stahl
Brandon is from Mishawaka, IN and Sakima Lodge. Brandon served as the 2019 Central Region Chief, staffed the 2019 World Jamboree, and served at Philbreak 2019. Brandon has staffed NLS courses and numerous other OA events. Brandon served as Section Chief and Secretary of C-6A.
Nathanael A. Steele
Nate is from New Concord, OH and Takhonek Lodge. Nate served as CVC of Strategy at NEXT in 2016 and served on the staff of the 2017 National Jamboree. Nate served on several NLS staffs and served on the 2017 Wachipi planning team. Nate served on summer staffs at Philmont and at the Summit and served as Aerial Sports program lead at the 2018 NOAC. Nate served as Section Chief of C-4B and provided his youth service in Netawatwees Lodge.
Bradley Gray Taylor
Bradley is from Clemmons, NC and Wahissa Lodge. Bradley served as the youth Chair for the 2012 NOAC GEO Museum, served in leadership roles for the Museum in 2015 and in 2018, and staffed the National Scouting Historian Summit in 2019. Bradley worked on the OA staff for Exhibits and Display at the 2017 National Jamboree and served as a Key Volunteer with the National Subcommittee for Recognition, Awards, History, and Preservation since 2014. Bradley served as a two-term Section Vice Chief in SR-7B.
Richard A. Todd
Rick is from Charlotte, MI and Agaming Maangogwan Lodge. Rick has served in the Administrative Services Group, or as the key local resource to that group, for all of the NOACs from 2006 to present. Rick served as Lodge Adviser for 12 years and served his section in numerous roles.
Richard A. Whitney
Rich is from Los Angeles, CA and Tuku’ut Lodge. Rich served on the NLS rewrite team in 2017 and has served on numerous NLS staffs over the last three years. Rich has also worked with the PILOT training at NOAC in 2018 and with DYLC courses. Rich led the GLOBE leadership program at the 2019 World Jamboree. As a youth, Rich served as Section W-3B Chief in 1986 and as a two-term Lodge Chief of Tannu Lodge.
Gary D. Williams
Gary is from Mt. Vernon, IL and Nisha Kittan Lodge. Gary has provided lengthy service in security at 7 National Jamborees, 7 NOACs, NEXT in 2016, a site at ArrowCorps5 in 2008, and the World Jamboree in 2019. As a youth in Taleka Lodge, Gary served as a lodge officer, and Gary subsequently served as Lodge Adviser of that lodge.