Hall of Distinction
NACD created the Hall of Distinction to recognize and honor our organization's current and past leaders. District officials - past and present - featured in NACD's Hall of Distinction have made major contributions to our nation's Conservation Movement.
The National Association of Conservation Districts was established over 70 years ago in 1946 by a group of forward-thinking conservation district officials from across the country. These leaders recognized the need for a unified voice in natural resource conservation and worked tirelessly to ensure that conservation remained at the forefront of United States agricultural and environmental policy.
The success of NACD throughout the last seven decades is attributable to the diligent work of our supporters – from conservationists to early-adopter producers, to district officials and national conservation leaders. NACD is delighted to announce that its Hall of Distinction will recognize and honor past and present district official leaders who have helped pave the way for NACD’s accomplishments. Dennis Fowler Getchell of Limestone, Maine, served on the Board of Supervisors for Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District (CASWCD) in Maine from 1942 to 1951, and as chairman of CASWCD for eight of those years. During that time, Mr. Getchell was instrumental in organizing the Maine Association of Soil Conservation District Supervisors and served as its… Clarence Durban served the Union Soil and Water Conservation District in Ohio for nearly three decades from 1961 to 1987. He was president of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts from 1975 to 1976 and president of NACD from 1985 to 1988. Before he passed away in 2014, Clarence farmed in southern Union County, Ohio, and was inducted into the state’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. In the early 1980s, he met with President Ronald Reagan to discuss the farm bill. Throughout Clarence’s long… James Bellamy of Shallotte, North Carolina was elected to the Brunswick Soil and Water Conservation District Board in 1948. He served for over 49 years with 34 of those years as Chair until his passing in 1998. He enjoyed spending time working on his farm and implementing conservation practices that provided excellent wildlife habitat. He was also very active with Brunswick County Farm Bureau as well as Shallotte Lions Club. James was a leader from the moment he became a soil and water district board member. In 1964, he was elected as the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts President. In 1965, he was then elected as Chairman of the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Chair of the NCASWCD Legislative Committee and a Council Member of NACD. He was instrumental in the implementation in the passing of Legislation to establish Drainage Districts in North Carolina. He helped to accelerate the NC Soil Survey Program and was involved in seeking funds to establish the Cape Fear Resource Conservation and Development Council – Region O. He was first elected to the NACD… Don Spickler would be the picture you see when you look up the definition of service. Don was active with districts on the local, state and national level for over 42 years. Don began serving on his local board in 1971 and maintained that service until 2013, when failing health demanded his retirement. While serving the Washington County Soil Conservation District he held all posts of leadership, including member, treasurer, vice chair and chair. Don served the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) as a member, treasurer and president. Don is credited with helping move the Maryland Districts to a position of leadership in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay by working with Maryland Governor Harry Hughes. Don was especially helpful in this project in the agricultural community because of his prior work with districts. Don served 12 years on the Maryland State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC), including the position of Chair from 1982-1985. Don served on the NACD board and several committees, including as chair of the Urban Committee, and was NACD’s Northeast Region Chair. However, Don will always be remembered for his… Widely known in the region as a successful owner of a large agribusiness company, farmer, and community leader, Miles also served as chairman of Daviess County Conservation District. In addition to serving on numerous agricultural and conservation organizations’ boards, Miles was a member of the University of Kentucky Board Trustees and Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom (1996-2003). Miles also served in numerous leadership roles, as director of the National Fertilizer Association Executive Committee, director of the Kentucky Environmental Protective Association in the Classroom, president of the Kentucky Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemical Association, secretary of Kentucky Natures Preserves, secretary of the Kentucky Soybean Association, director of the U.S…. Wade Troutman epitomizes selfless dedication to the sustainability of our natural resources. He has quietly left a lasting impact on conservation throughout Washington State. Troutman has served on the Foster Creek Conservation District (CD) board of supervisors since 1982 (37 years, and counting). He has lived in Douglas County all his life and resides in the house in which he grew up. Troutman has carried on the conservation legacy of his father, Tex L. Troutman, who is recognized in the Leaving A Legacy memorial book of the Washington Conservation Society. Troutman has not confined himself to district service. He has served on the board and as president (2001-03) of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD); as well as WACD National Director (2010-14). Wade has been actively involved with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) in several roles: Executive Board Member – Pacific Region (2017-19); Chair, Natural Resources Policy Committee; Chair, District Operations and Member Services… Mark’s service and contributions span local, state, and national conservation. His volunteer leadership in chairing the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District for multiple decades—36 continuous years of service—has impacted the local area through identifying and addressing natural resource priorities, highlighting and assisting with resource concerns unique to the region, as well as supporting education and outreach to inform local landowners of services available, funding opportunities, and issues important to landowners of all levels; from recent landowners to beginning farmers to diverse operation property owners/managers. When not farming in Union, or assisting Knox-Lincoln SWCD or MACD, Mark can be found at Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry… John Peterson had a distinguished career in soil and water conservation. He was a professional with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Soil Conservation Service, now Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and served as a locally-elected director on the board of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Fairfax County, Virginia. John’s work and contributions to conservation are impossible to summarize briefly. He served for years as Virginia’s representative to the NACD Board of Directors,… John Redding’s foundation as a leader and advocate of conservation started at Clay County High School as a Future Farmers of America (FFA) member. After high school, John attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and received an associate in science degree. He then continued his education at the University of Georgia where he received his bachelor’s and ultimately… Charles A. Holmes was born September 17, 1951, in Demopolis, Alabama. A graduate of the Marion Military Institute, he also attended Auburn University where he studied agricultural economics and participated in a summer exchange program at Christ Church College in Oxford, England studying British-American history, religion and British architecture. Charles is owner of Holmestead Company, a purebred homed Hereford and Brahman cross cow-calf, stocker, and timber operation. This land was homesteaded in 1819… Donald L. Wells has made his career in the field of conservation, serving various federal and state agencies with distinction. Throughout his career he has developed individual, agency, and corporate relationships across the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country. Don devotes much time and energy to the cause of conservation through his service as an elected official… Robert (Bob) and Mary Gab’s private and public life epitomized their concern and love for our natural resources. It is impossible to separate the accomplishments of one from the other because they worked as a team, one totally supporting the other. Between them, they held almost every conceivable office in the conservation district movement. Bob was chair of the McPherson Conservation District; a director, vice-president, and president of the South Dakota Association of Conservation… Kevin Jeffries has dedicated over four decades to environmental stewardship, leadership, and agriculture, creating lasting a legacy in Kentucky and the beyond. For 39 years, he served as an elected Soil & Water District Supervisor for the Oldham County Conservation District (1983-2022), including multiple years as its chair. His influence extended statewide as the President of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts from 2004 to… In 1952, Alfred Orval Gigstad III, or Orval, as his family called him, was born in Garnett, Kansas, while his dad was finishing veterinary medical school at Kansas State University, where Orval would also graduate from the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine in May 1976. While attending school, he met his future wife, Carolyn Hatcher. After they married in 1976, they moved to Syracuse, Nebraska. The influence of Orval’s parents in his growing up years was significant. He got his kindness from his mom, leadership skills from his dad and a servant’s attitude, sense of community and love for animals and natural resources from both of his parents. Right after moving to Syracuse, Orval became a member of the Syracuse Area Jaycees organization, as both of his parents had also done earlier in Nebraska City. His leadership skills were developed with the Jaycees as he moved up the ranks to become the Nebraska Jaycees State President in 1984-1985. Orval’s natural resources conservation interests came from his father who was involved in the ground level as an interested party for developing Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts and also served on the… Joe Glassmeyer is a first-generation farmer whose lifelong commitment to agriculture, conservation, and public service has left a lasting impact on Clermont County, the state of Ohio, and the broader conservation community. He began farming in 1966 and continues to oversee a 560-acre farm in Clermont County, Ohio, producing corn, soybeans, and wheat. His firsthand understanding of the land shaped a deep belief in stewardship and the importance of protecting farmland for future generations. That commitment led Joe to join the Clermont County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board in 1986. Over the next 39 years, he served 13 terms on the board before retiring in 2024. During that time, Joe held every leadership position on the district board and continues to support the district today as an associate supervisor. Alongside his late wife, Rosalie, Joe volunteered countless hours in support of county and state conservation efforts. Joe’s leadership extended statewide through the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD). He served as Area 4 Director from 2000 to… Mr. Lomax has been an ecologist and business adviser with The Lomax Consulting Group, agencies, and organizations for more than 50 years. His experience is in project management, inter-disciplinary team development and management, performing environmental assessments and site feasibility studies, ecological studies, assessment of issues and development of strategic plans for solving environmental/land use regulatory problems, photographic documentation and interpretation, development and presentation of training/educational programs. He has prepared documents for the permitting at all levels of government for more than 3,500 projects. Mr. Lomax has provided expert testimony to agencies at all levels of government and to state and federal…
Dennis Getchell of Maine
Clarence Durban of Ohio
James D. Bellamy of North Carolina
Don Spickler of Maryland
Billy Joe Miles of Kentucky
Wade Troutman of Washington
Mark Hedrich of Maine
John Peterson of Virginia
John Redding of Georgia
Charles Holmes of Alabama
Donald Wells of Virginia
Robert and Mary Gab of South Dakota
Kevin Jeffries of Kentucky
Dr. Orval Gigstad
Joe Glassmeyer
Joe Lomax
Here’s how you, or someone you admire, can receive the honor:
- Individuals are inducted to the Hall of Distinction on an annual basis by their state or territory.
- Every state and territory may induct one person to the Hall of Distinction every year. Inductees are reviewed by the District Operations and Member Services Committee.
- In making their inductions, states and territories are asked to send the following information to NACD via this short form:
– The name of the state or territory making the induction;
– The name of the conservation district where the inductee served or serves as an official;
– The dates during which the inductee made a significant contribution to conservation at the national level and/or served NACD;
– A photo of the nominee to be featured on NACD’s website; and
– A brief narrative statement that clearly and concisely describes the significant contributions made by the individual, including any results or benefits achieved. - Inductees must be received 60 days before NACD’s Annual Meeting to be recognized.
Keep in mind:
- Inductees must currently serve, or have formerly served, as a conservation district official.
- Inductees must also have made significant contributions to conservation efforts at the national level while a district official. Significant contributions may include supporting national conservation efforts as a leader within NACD.
- Those who have been employed by a conservation district, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a state conservation agency, a state association of conservation districts, NACD, or an affiliate of NACD but have never served as a conservation district official are not eligible for this recognition.