Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC)

SOUTHWEST AREA "EXCELLENCE IN DISPATCHING"

The SWA "Excellence in Dispatching" Award was created in 1988 to acknowledge the contributions Al Bell, a Southwest Area Coordinator, made to the Dispatch and Coordination system during his years of service. Al set an example as a Dispatcher and Coordinator in the Southwest Area that is recognized today as the standard of excellence in professional dispatching and coordination. In addition, his personal bearing and professional conduct established a high benchmark for interpersonal and general office relationships. Al retired from the U. S. Forest Service the same year. A recipient of this award should be someone who most closely exhibits the same attributes Al exhibited. Nominees may be from any agency and any level of the Dispatch or Coordination system in the Southwest Area. The award is presented annually at the Southwest Area Dispatchers Workshop.

YEAR	NAME	AGENCY	HOME UNIT	DISPATCH CENTER
2024	Ricardo De La Torre	USFS	Gila NF	NM-SDC
2023	Jordan Sprung	USFS	Apache-Sitgreaves NFs	AZ-SDC
2022	Chris Massingill	BLM	Gila District	AZ-TDC
2021	Sairy Neal	USFS	Southwestern Regional Office	NM-SWC
2020	Oscar Sedillo	NMS	NM State Forestry	NM-SWC
2019	Delfinia "D Marie" Gallegos-Trujillo	USFS	Carson NF	NM-TDC
2018	Cassandra "Sandy" Begay	USFS	Tonto NF	AZ-PHC
2017	Frank Bedonie	BIA	Southwestern Regional Office	NM-SWC
2016	Renee Isackson	USFS	Santa Fe NF	NM-SFC
2015	Jeff Walther	USFS	Coconino NF	AZ-FDC
2014	Tony Diaz	USFS	Southwestern Regional Office	NM-SWC
2013	Renee Isackson	USFS	Santa Fe NF	NM-SFC
2012	Barry Wallace	USFS	Prescott NF	AZ-PDC
2011	Jordan Thompson	USFS	Apache-Sitgreaves NF	AZ-SDC
2010	Nancy Moore	BLM	Arizona State Office	NM-SWC
2009	Mike Wilke	BLM	Arizona State Office	AZ-TDC
2008	Chuck Holt	USFS	Coronado NF	AZ-TDC
2007	Amos Coochyouma	USFS	Coconino NF	AZ-FDC
2006	Steve Webb	USFS	Tonto NF	AZ-PHC
2005	Nicole Finch	USFS	Prescott NF	AZ-PDC
2004	David Maez	USFS	Carson NF	NM-TDC
2003	Kenan Jaycox	BLM	Arizona State Office	NM-SWC
2002	Eva M. Wilson	BIA	ABQ Area Office	NM-ABC
2001	Lorie Hildebrand	BLM	Las Cruces District	NM-SDC
2000	Larry Tuck	USFS	Coronado NF	AZ-SEZ
1999	Michael Kane	BIA	Fort Apache Agency	AZ-WMZ
1998	Rita Booth	USFS	Apache-Sitgreaves NF	AZ-WMZ
1997	Mile Wilke	USFS	Coronado NF	AZ-SEZ
1996	Vincent Ganilla	BIA	San Carlos Agency	AZ-SEZ
1995	Phyllis West	USFS	Tonto NF	AZ-CWZ
1994	Dara Nearing	USFS	Kaibab NF	AZ-GCZ
1993	Ricky A. Smith	USFS	Lincoln NF	NM-LNZ
1992	Amos Coochyouma	USFS	Coconino NF	AZ-FLZ
1991	Dick Ghoslin	USFS	Southwestern Regional Office	NM-SWC
1990	Tim Bos	USFS	Tonto NF	AZ-CWZ
1989	Tom Eddy	USFS	Southwestern Regional Office	NM-SWC
1988	David Mouer	BIA	Southern Pueblo Agency	NM-ABZ

2024 Al Bell Award Winner Ricardo De La Torre (left) being presented his award by SWCC Deputy Center Manager Juan Ortiz

SOUTHWEST AREA "ROOKIE OF THE YEAR"

The SWA "Rookie of the Year" is given annually to an individual in their first year within the SWA dispatch coordination system, recognizing them for their willingness to learn, ability to be flexible, good working relationship internally and externally, and for overall perfomance of their job with excellence and professionalism. This individual would also be known as a "keeper!".

YEAR	NAME	AGENCY	HOME UNIT	DISPATCH CENTER
2024	Brianna Parise	USFS	Coronado NF	AZ-CNF
2023	Chantal Brooks	AZS	DFFM	AZ-ADC
2022	Chris Reed	AZS	DFFM	AZ-ADC
2021	Julianne Carson	USFS	Cibola NF	NM-ABC
2020	Ricardo De La Torre	USFS	Gila NF	NM-SDC
2019	Matt Alexander	AZS	Arizona State Forestry & Fire Management	AZ-ADC
2018	Krystal Quiroz	USFS	Santa Fe NF	NM-SFC
2017	Elliott Herrera	BLM	Rio Puerco Field Office	NM-ABC
2016	Scott Garcia	USFS	Coronado NF	AZ-TDC
2015	Kristen Nickell	USFS	Cibola NF	NM-ABC
2014	Carly Taylor	USFS	Cibola NF	NM-ABC
2013	Matt Heckel	BLM	Farmington District	NM-TDC
2012	Jennifer Plumb	USFS	Apache-Sitgreaves NF	AZ-SDC
2011	Jordan Sprung	USFS	Apache-Sitgreaves NF	AZ-SDC
2010	Kim Owczarzak	BLM	Arizona State Office	NM-SWC

SOUTHWEST AREA " DISPATCH SUPPORT"

The SWA "Dispatch Support" Award is given annually to an individual (outside of the dispatch office) who willingly comes onboard to help out in the dispatch coordination system. These individuals generally consist of agency retirees and/or private individuals fully qualified to work within the dispatch coordination system.

YEAR	NAME	DISPATCH CENTER
2024	Mark Cadwallader	NM-ADC
2023	Nancy Neskauskas	NM-SFC
2022	Alexis Santariga	NM-ABC
2021	Jessica Lopez	AZ-SDC
2020	Mary Spears Sara Sexson	NM-TDC AZ-PDC
2019	Rich Della Porta	AZ-PDC
2018	Darroll Abeyta	NM-SFC
2017	Pete Dobbins	AZ-TDC
2016	Rawles Williams	AZ-TDC
2015	Tonya Diaz	AZ-TDC
2014	Oscar Sedillo	NM-ABC
2013	Sonja Hess	AZ-PDC
2012	Steve Marsh	NM-ABC
2011	J. T. Thompson	AZ-SDC
2010	Kenny Bunt	NM-ADC