Recipients of the 2015 Distinguished Service Award

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) was created in 1940 to honor those who rendered service to the Order beyond the lodge level. The award is presented to Arrowmen, youth and adult, who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The award is presented at National Order of the Arrow Conferences. Since the time the first awards were presented, less than 1000 Distinguished Service Awards have been awarded.

The award is a sterling silver arrowhead bearing an arrow pointing up and to the wearer’s right. The award is suspended from a white neck-ribbon on which red arrows are embroidered. A white square knot embroidered on red cloth is available for uniform wear and a silver arrowhead lapel pin is available for civilian wear.

Tyler Allen

Tyler is from Edinboro, Pennsylvania and Langundowi Lodge. Tyler served as the 2013 Northeast Region chief, as an OA Ocean Adventure foreman in 2012, and as the inaugural director of the OA Summit Experience, serving in both 2014 and 2015. Tyler has served two terms as NE-4A section chief and served on several NLS staffs.

Richard D. “Ricky” Angeletti III

Ricky is from Akron, Ohio and Marnoc Lodge. Ricky served as the 2014 Central Region chief, on the 2013 National Scout Jamboree Trek Guide Leadership Team, and as the Central Region crew chief for the 2015 Arrow Tour program. Ricky also served as C-4A section vice chief, two terms as C-4A section chief, and served on 9 NLS staffs.

Gregory Wade Bajan

Greg is from Simpsonville, South Carolina and Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge. Greg served as the national director of promotion for the Recognition, Awards, History and Preservation Subcommittee and has provided extensive leadership to Indian Events and to High Adventure at national events consistently from 2005 to present. Greg also served as the 2007 SR-5 section chief and as the 2007 Southern Region webmaster, the 2008 region youth coordinator for ArrowCorps5, and staffed the Instructor Corps at ArrowCorps5 for all five sites.

William Josef Barton IV

Joe is from Larkspur, California and Talako Lodge. Joe served as the 2012 Western Region chief and led 4 NLS staffs and served on staff at NOAC during that year. Joe served as W-3N section chief and worked as part of the OA staff at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.

Scott M. Best

Scott is from Allentown, Pennsylvania and Witauchsoman Lodge. Scott is a key volunteer with the Financial Operations and Strategic Planning Subcommittee and served as Northeast Region NLATS Coordinator. He staffed Philmont OA Adviser Training in 2014 and provided service as project manager for the effort to move the Treasure Island ceremonial grounds to the Summit Bechtel Reserve, along with numerous other national and regional key roles.

Peter Scott Bird

Peter is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Allohak Menewi Lodge. Peter is a key volunteer with the Training Subcommittee and for years has provided key leadership to the management of the OA training website. Peter was integral in the design and building of the OA digital archive website and has served in numerous OA web roles since serving on Indian Summer 2003 web staff and as youth chair of the NOAC 2004 Live website.

Taylor Louis Bobrow

Taylor is from Chesapeake, Virginia and Blue Heron Lodge. Taylor served as the 2014 national vice chief and is a youth lead for the 2015 ArrowTour. Taylor served as SR-7A section vice chief and section chief and served on the staffs of Indian Summer 2011, NOAC 2012, and the 2013 National Scout Jamboree OA Service Corps.

Ryan Michael Braddy

Ryan is from Atlanta, Georgia and Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge. Ryan provided extensive youthful service for Yustaga Lodge, as SR-4N section vice chief, and he served as the 2008 Southern Region high adventure coordinator. Ryan is a key volunteer on the Financial Operations and Strategic Planning Sub committee and served on three Jamboree OA Service Corps and in the Instructor Corps for ArrowCorps5.

Derrick Paul Bransby

Derrick is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Wunita Gokhos Lodge. Derrick served as the 2013-14 national youth web coordinator, leading the redesign of the website, and served as web team leader at NOAC 2012. Derrick served as Northeast Region webmaster and Facebook lead, and provided leadership as 2011 NE-6B section vice chief.

Matthew Edmondson Brown

Matt is from Brentwood, Tennessee and Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge. Matt served as the 2013 national chief and assistant director of the OA summit experience in 2014. His lengthy service includes staffing the 2010 and 2013 National Scout Jamborees, the NLS Train-the-Trainer seminar, OA Ocean Adventure as foreman, and the 2011 SummitCorps as a member of the Instructor Corps. Matt also served as SR-6 section chief and vice chief.

Timothy Carlton Brown

Tim is from Nicholasville, Kentucky and Kawida Lodge. Tim is a key volunteer on the Recognition, Awards, History and Preservation Subcomittee and a member of the Southern Region OA committee. Tim served in key leadership roles at ArrowCorps5 in 2008, NOAC 2009-15 Museums, and with the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at the OA’s Mysterium Compass. Tim has worked on numerous OA history projects, including the digital timeline and the book Bound in Brotherhood.

Harry L. Bubeck

Harry is from Flower Mound, Texas and Mikanakawa Lodge. Harry is a key volunteer for the National Events Subcommittee and has served key roles at ArrowCorps5, SummitCorps, NLATS staff, OA Service Corps at the 2001 National Scout Jamboree, and NOACs from 2004 to present. Harry served as SR-3B section adviser, SR-3 section adviser from 2002-08 and has provided extensive BSA service and leadership.

Eric Bush

Eric is from West Newton, Pennsylvania and Wagion Lodge. Eric served as the 2012 Northeast Region chief; in such capacity he helped lead the region’s first international NLS held in Germany. Eric served on the staffs of NOAC 2012 and Indian Summer 2011, and served as NE-4B section chief.

Raymond Cheung

Raymond is from Quincy, Massachusetts and Moswetuset Lodge. Raymond served as communications conference vice chief at NOAC 2012 and national communications coordinator from 2012-14. Raymond also served as Northeast Region communications chair, staffed 12 NLS and 3 NLATS events, and served one term as NE-1A section vice chief and two as section chief.

Brian T. Chrzanowski

Brian is from West Bloomfield, Michigan and Noquet Lodge. Brian served as extreme high adventure conference vice chief at NOAC 2006, staffed the 2007 National Conservation and Leadership Seminar, and served on Instructor Corps staff at all five ArrowCorps5 sites in 2008. Brian also served as the 2009 Central Region one day of service chair and as 2006 C-2A section chief, while providing staff leadership at NOAC 2009 and 2012. He is the Central Region high adventure adviser and an associate section adviser.

Brian Andrew Corder

Brian is from Edmond, Oklahoma and Ma-Nu Lodge. Brian has provided key leadership to OA shows since 1996 and provided support to photography and A/V at numerous national and regional events. Brian served on 2003 Philbreak staff and as associate section adviser.

Nicholas Gerald Dannemiller

Nick is from Portland, Oregon and Wauna La-Mon’Tay Lodge. Nick served as the 2014 national chief and as the OA trek guides jamboree vice chief in 2013. Nick served two terms as W-1S section chief and has provided key leadership and delivery of ArrowTour.

Kevin M. Dowling

Kevin is from Ely, Minnesota and served as general manager of Northern Tier until being named general manager of Philmont in April 2015. Kevin provided key leadership to the OA’s Northern Tier activities and served in numerous capacities during his over 30 years of professional service to the BSA. Kevin has been a strong advocate for the Order of the Arrow at the BSA high adventure bases.

David Albert Dye

David is from Torrance, California and Siwinis Lodge. David served as the 2013 Western Region chief and as a member of the 2011 SummitCorps staff. David served on numerous NLS staffs, on the OA staff at two National Scout Jamborees, and served as W-4N section chief.

Alan Edward Eggleston

Alan is from Elkhart, Indiana and was inducted in Papakitchie Lodge as a youth. Alan served several lodges as a professional Scouter, most recently serving as staff adviser of Penateka Lodge in Abilene, Texas. He retired from the BSA in December 2014. Alan served as Brotherhood Chorus director and music coordinator at every NOAC since 1992 and served on 16 NOAC staffs since 1977. Alan served on many National Camping School staffs and also served as C-4A section staff adviser.

Barry J.F. Ekle

Barry is from Miami, Florida and Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge. Barry has staffed 16 NOACs in a variety of roles since earning a spot on the 1979 conference committee due to his service as section chief. Barry is also a key leader in both Sea Scouting and Venturing in the Southern Region, providing service in those roles for many years.

Noel Falcon

Noel is from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and Blue Heron Lodge. Noel has served on the medical staff of every national OA event since 1998, including two sites of ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and SummitCorps in 2011. Noel’s service has gone far beyond “being there”; he has provided key background support year-round in preparation for each national event.

Sean Ferrier

Sean is from Fort Myers, Florida and Tipisa Lodge. Sean is a key volunteer with the Outdoor Adventures Subcommittee and has an extensive service to Scouting’s high adventure bases; he currently serves on Okpik staff at Northern Tier. Sean served as 2011 Southern Region one day of service coordinator, as an OA Wilderness Voyage foreman, as a key OA staff member at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, and served as 2008 and 2010 SR-4 section chief while a member of Osceola Lodge.

Robert M. Gates
Robert is from Mount Vernon, Washington and Sikhs Mox Lamonti Lodge.Robert is currently in his second year of service as the national president of the Boy Scouts of America and previously served as president of NESA from 1997 to 2007. He served on the National Order of the Arrow Committee from 1997 to 2003 and served as keynote speaker at NOAC 1996. As a youth, he received the Vigil Honor as a lodge officer in Hi-Cha-Ko-Lo Lodge.

Elliot W. Gault

Elliot is from Seekonk, Massachusetts and Abnaki Lodge. Elliot served as Jamboree vice chief of program for the 2013 Jamboree and is a seven-time NLS staff member. Elliot served as NE-1B section chief and aided the OA’s membership retention task force.

Samuel M. Gicalone

Sam is from Anchorage, Alaska and Nanuk Lodge. Sam has served as a story editor for the National Bulletin and served on staff at NOAC 2009 and 2012, to go along with staffing ArrowCorps5 in 2008, OA Service Corps at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, and SummitCorps in 2011. Sam served two terms as 2009 and 2010 W-1N section chief.

Michael C. Goins

Mikkie is from Morristown, Tennessee and Pellissippi Lodge. Mikkie has served on the American Indian Activities staff of 11 NOACs since 1988 and has provided similar service at over 30 section conclaves. For many years Mikkie has traveled the country, training at OA events and sharing his knowledge of American Indian culture.

Michael T. Gray

Mike is from Peoria, Illinois and Wenasa Quenhotan Lodge. Mike served as the American Indian Affairs conference vice chief at NOAC 2012 and as the 2013 Central Region chief. In addition, Mike staffed Indian Summer 2011 and staffed the OA exhibit at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Mike served as 2012 C-3A section chief and 2013 C-3B section chief.

Jordan L. Hughes

Jordan is from Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and Lowwapaneu Lodge. Jordan served as the 2013 national vice chief and as Inductions and Ceremonial Events conference vice chief at NOAC 2012. Jordan has provided key service to the National Bulletin and staffed many NLS courses.

Ryan Gregory Jones

Ryan is from Fresno, California and Tah-Heetch Lodge. Ryan served as one of the leaders of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree OA Trek Guides and served as social media lead for the national communications team. Ryan served as Western Region OA communications chair and as 2013 W-3S section chief.

David B. Joyner

David is from Mount Olive, North Carolina and Nayawin Rar Lodge. David served as the 2012 Southern Region chief and as a key volunteer on the Training Subcommittee. David served as an OA Ocean Adventure foreman, NLS and NLATS staff member and SummitCorps staff member, in addition to serving as SR-7B section vice chief and chief.

Michael James Christopher Kintscher 

Michael is from Brentwood, California and Ut-In Selica Lodge. Michael served as the 2014 Western Region chief and served on ArrowTour road crew in 2015. Michael served on the OA staff at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree and served twice as the W-3N section chief and once as secretary.

Paul C. Lackie

Paul is from Melbourne, Florida and Tipisa Lodge. Paul served on the Induction and Ceremonial Events staff of NOACs and Indian Summers from 1998 to present. Paul has worked on training curricula, provided sections of language used in the current OA Guide to Inductions, and served in a number of key roles supporting the development of the new Brotherhood ceremony and producing its demonstration DVD.

Al Lambert

Al is from Grantham, New Hampshire and is the regional director for the BSA’s Central Region. Al has served as a professional Scouter since 1980, serving five different councils and OA lodges over that period of time two of those lodges being Passaconaway Lodge and Amangamek Wipit Lodge, the lodge from which he received the Vigil Honor. In his role as regional director since February 2010, Al has been a critical part of the successful operations of the OA lodges in the Central Region.

Timothy I. Malaney

Tim is from Chula Vista, California and Tiwahe Lodge. Tim has provided key leadership to NOACs since 1998, in particular to the Activities and Recreation Committee, and has served as vice chair of the Western Region committee since 2011. Tim has served as a section adviser, served at ArrowCorps5 in 2008, and served in key roles on National Scout Jamboree staffs since 2005.

Preston H. Marquis

Preston is from Norfolk, Virginia and Blue Heron Lodge. Preston served as the 2012 national vice chief and served on the 100th Anniversary Task Force. Preston served on the OA staff at the last two National Scout Jamborees, served as an incident commander for SummitCorps in 2011, and numerous NLS staffs after serving as SR-7A section chief.

Daniel B. Maxfield

Dan is from Madera, California and Tah-Heetch Lodge. Dan served on shows staff and training staff at NOACs from 1977 to the present and has written material for the Lodge Leadership Development course. Dan has served as a section adviser and has served Scouting in numerous ways nationally and regionally for many years, receiving the Silver Buffalo Award earlier this year.

Sean R. McCabe

Sean is from Wheeling, West Virginia and Onondaga Lodge. Sean is a key volunteer with the National Events and 100th Anniversary Subcommittee. He served on NOAC staff from 2006 to the present and on the 2005 National Scout Jamboree staff with the OA show “Twelve Cubed.” Sean also served on six NLS staffs and as an adviser to ArrowTour in 2015. Sean served as 2005and 2006 C-4A section chief after serving a term as secretary; he is currently the section adviser.

Isaac McDaniel

Isaac is from Kempner, Texas and Netopalis Sipo Schipinachk Lodge. Isaac served as 2010 youth coordinator of the national OA website and served in numerous other web, communications, social media, and branding roles since that time. Isaac served as 2008 SR-2 section chief and as an important youth leader at ArrowCorps5.

Tracy R. Mesler

Tracy is from Nocona, Texas and Wichita Lodge. A key volunteer, Tracy has served as the national OA digital archivist since 2013 and has worked on numerous history projects for the OA since 2009, including the digitizing of the Goodman scrapbooks. Tracy was an important senior leader of the NOAC Museums in 2012 and 2015, and he managed and delivered content for the 2015 OA Directory, articles for the digital timeline, and was a major writer, image coordinator, and layout lead for the Bound in Brotherhood book.

Steve E. Miller

Steve is from Davenport, Iowa and Konepaka Ketiwa Lodge. Steve has served on NOAC staffs from 1996 to 2015 and provided important logistics support to ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and to other national OA events. Steve has served on OA Service Corps staff, and as a 2005 National Scout Jamboree Scoutmaster and section adviser for seven years.

R. Gregory Moore

Greg is from Trussville, Alabama and Coosa Lodge. Greg has served as the Southern Region’s coordinator for the NOAC 2015 Centennial Challenge and served as deputy lead adviser for Messengers of Peace Day of Service at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Greg provided valuable service to Summit- Corps in 2011, served as SR-9 associate section adviser from 2009-15, and served on NLS and NLATS staffs. Greg served as SR-5 vice chief as a youth.

Craig G. Ongley

Craig is from Plano, Texas and Mikanakawa Lodge. Craig provided key administrative support to ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and to SummitCorps in 2011, and served on the OA Service Corps at the 1997 and 2001 National Scout Jamborees (and staffed two other National Scout Jamborees). Craig served on the staff of seven NOACs since 1998, and the 1999 National Leadership Summit in a variety of key leadership roles.

John Martin Opthoff 

Marty is from Waterford, Michigan and Noquet Lodge. Marty served as the2012 Central Region chief, served on the Instructor Corps staff for the SummitCorps in 2011, and staffed the OA’s “Mysterium Compass” show at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Marty served as 2011 Central Region OA High Adventure coordinator, served on many NLS staffs and served as C-2A section vice chief and chief.

Colin R. Pinnavaia

Colin is from Brooklyn, New York and Kintecoying Lodge. Colin served on 10 NLATS staffs and three NLS staffs, along with a number of national communications and training projects. Colin served on several NOAC staffs, several National Camping School staffs, and served as NE-2C section vice chief and chief as a youth.

Kyle James Piper

Kyle is from Rochester, New York and Tschipey Achtu Lodge. Kyle served as the 2014 Northeast Region chief and served on several NLS staffs, including one in Puerto Rico. Kyle served as the 2015 Northeast Region crew chief for ArrowTour and served a term as NE-3A section chief.

Samuel Edward Pitts

Sam is from Morrisville, North Carolina and Klahican Lodge. Sam served as a key volunteer with the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and advised NOAC communications production. Sam served on NLATS and NLS staffs, on NOAC staffs, and as an Associate Adviser of SR-7B..

John P. Rehm, Jr. 

John is from Turbotville, Pennsylvania and Woapeu Sisilija Lodge. John served as the 2012 national chief and served on Instructor Corps staff at SummitCorps in 2011, as well as the OA Service Corps at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. John served on NLS staff, on OA Ocean Adventure staff, and two terms as NE-4A section chief.

Wesley D. Seaman

Wesley is from Edmond, Oklahoma and Ma-Nu Lodge. Wesley served as the 2014 Southern Region chief and served on several NLS staffs. Wesley provided service as 2015 Southern Region crew chief for the ArrowTour program and served as SR-8 section chief.

Aaron Shepherd

Aaron is from Pikeville, Kentucky and Kawida Lodge. Aaron served on the National Bulletin staff as assistant copy editor and as layout editor and he served as productions team lead for OA communications. Aaron has staffed three NOACs and Indian Summer 2011, as well as serving as an OA Trek Guide at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Aaron served as SR-6 section secretary, vice chief and chief.

Michael A. Shostek

Michael is from Scranton, Pennsylvania and Lowwapaneu Lodge. Michael served as youth coordinator for the OA National Communications Team, its Social Media Team, and as a key youth leader of the OA programs at the 2013National Scout Jamboree. Michael served the Northeast Region as its communications coordinator and as an NLS staff member, in addition to with his service as NE-5B section secretary and chief.

Russell Hoke Smart

Russell is from Greenville, South Carolina and Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge. Russell served as one of the program chairs for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree and will serve again in that role for 2017. Russell served as the BSA’s National STEM Task Force chair, the Southern Region’s 2010 National Scout Jamboree chair, and numerous other national and regional roles in the BSA. Russell is a key volunteer for the OA, he has served on many NOAC and OA conclave staffs, and he has contributed mightily to the quality of the last several NOAC Museum programs.

Tyler Adam Stepanek

Tyler is from Warner Robins, Georgia and Echeconnee Lodge. Tyler served as Messengers of Peace Day of Service Jamboree vice chief in 2013 and served as the 2014 OA Ocean Adventure director. Tyler served on NLS staff, served as the 2013 Southern Region high adventure promotion chair, and served as the 2013 SR-9 section chief.

Mark McLean Stickel

Mark is from San Diego, California and Tiwahe Lodge. Mark served as a key leader for ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and SummitCorps in 2011 and served on eight NOAC staffs, including important adult leadership roles with “The Experience” Adventure Central in 2012 and 2015. As a youth in Wiatava Lodge, Mark served as Camping and High Adventure conference vice chief at NOAC 2000, and served as W-4B secretary, vice chief, and chief. Mark also served as a Philmont OA Trail Crew foreman in 2001.

Bradley David Torpey

Brad is from Keller, Texas and Netopalis Sipo Schipinachk Lodge. Brad served as the 2013 Southern Region chief and led the OA’s exhibits and displays at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Brad staffed nine NLS courses, participated in projects with the Unit, Chapter, and Lodge Support Subcommittee, and served as SR 2-3N section chief.

Brett Alan Warner

Brett is from Morrisville, North Carolina and Occoneechee Lodge. Brett served as lead adviser for the Legacy Display Project at NOAC 2015 and is a key volunteer. For over 10 years, Brett served on NOAC staffs and staffed NLS and NLATS courses. Brett is a longtime SR-7B associate section adviser and has provided years of consistent service to the Order since he was lodge chief of Nayawin RaR Lodge as a youth.

Brian T. Wilder

Brian is from Torrance, California and Siwinis Lodge. Brian served as a key leader at ArrowCorps5 in 2008 and at SummitCorps in 2011, and he staffed NOACs from 2004 to present. Brian has served for over 10 years as either section adviser or associate section adviser and served on the staff of the 2007 National Conservation and Leadership Summit and several National Scout Jamborees.