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Achievement Awards
Each year, CALAFCO is honored to recognize outstanding achievements by dedicated and committed individuals and/or organizations from throughout the state at its Annual Conference Achievement Awards Ceremony.
Recognizing individual and organizational achievements is an important responsibility. It provides visible recognition and support to those who have gone above and beyond over the last year to advance the principles and goals of the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act.
2025 Award Winners
PAST WINNERS
2025
Outstanding LAFCO Professional
Kai Luoma, Ventura LAFCO
Associate Member of the Year
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Outstanding LAFCO Commissioner
Anthony Tyrrell, Calaveras LAFCO
Outstanding CALAFCO Volunteer
José C. Henríquez, Sacramento LAFCO
Mike Gotch Award - Innovation, Collaboration, Outreach, and Effective Support of Local Agency Evolution
Placer LAFCO
Lifetime Achievement Award
SR Jones, Nevada LAFCO
2024
Legislator of the Year Award:
Senator Dave Cortese
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Stephen Lucas, Butte LAFCO
Outstanding Commissioner:
Bill Connelly, Butte LAFCO
Outstanding LAFCO Professional:
J.D. Hightower, San Joaquin LAFCO
Mike Gotch Award - Agriculture:
Monterey LAFCO
Mike Gotch Award - Innovation (Two-Way Tie):
Santa Cruz LAFCO
Mike Gotch Award - Innovation (Two-Way Tie):
Riverside LAFCO & Imperial LAFCO
2023
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dawn Mittleman Longoria, Napa LAFCO
Outstanding Commissioner:
Richard Bettencourt, San Benito LAFCO
Outstanding LAFCO Professional (Two-Way Tie):
José C. Henriquez, Sacramento LAFCO
Outstanding LAFCO Professional (Two-Way Tie):
Andrea Ozdy, Ventura LAFCO
Outstanding Associate Member:
Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
Outstanding Volunteer:
Anita Paque, Calaveras LAFCO
Mike Gotch Award - Agriculture:
Napa LAFCO
Mike Gotch Award - Innovation:
Tom Cooley, Plumas LAFCO
2022
Outstanding Commissioner:
Don Saylor, Yolo LAFCO
Outstanding LAFCO Professional:
Carolyn Emery, Orange LAFCO
Mike Gotch - Innovation Two-Way Tie:
Cristine Crawford, Yolo LAFCO,
Mike Gotch - Innovation Two-Way Tie:
Erica Sanchez, El Dorado LAFCO & Amanda Ross, South Fork Consulting, LLC
