| YEAR | RECIPIENT NAME | AFFILIATION | PHOTOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Richard A. Smath | Retired: Kentucky Geological Survey | Yes |
| 2022 | Jack Stickney | Retired: Kentucky Rural Water Association | Yes |
| 2021 | Tom Spalding | Commonwealth of Kentucky | Yes |
| 2020 | Mark Sweet | Shield Environmental Associates, LLC | Yes |
| 2019 | Jim DeCinque | Vulcan Materials Company | Yes |
| 2018 | John Beam | Stantec | Yes |
| 2017 | John T. Popp | Natural Resource Partners (NRP), retired | Yes |
| 2016 | Rudy Vogt | Cumberland Valley Resources, LLC | Yes |
| 2015 | Faith Fiene | Environmental Branch-Head Department of Military Affairs (retired) |
Yes |
| 2014 | Dr. James C. Cobb | Kentucky Geological Survey State Geologist & Director |
Yes |
| 2013 | Gil Cumbee | Vice President, GeoScience Consultants Inc. | No |
| 2012 | Michael P. Sanders | Private Consultant | Yes |
| 2011 | Thomas Ryavek
(presented posthumously) |
Lexington Coal Company | No |
| 2010 | Charlie Mason | Morehead State University | No |
| 2009 | Frank Ettensohn | University of Kentucky | No |
| 2008 | David A. Williams | Kentucky Geological Survey | No |
| 2007 | Ken W. Fishel | Private Consultant | No |
| 2006 | James F. Howard | Private Consultant | No |
| 2005 | David K. Hylbert | Morehead State University | No |
| 2004 | Avery E. Smith | Private Consultant | No |
| 2003 | Samuel H. Norris | Norris Well Services | No |
| 2002 | Larry R. Rhodes | Rhodes Incorporated | No |
| 2001 | Robert E. Fox | Term Energy Corporation | No |
| 2000 | Henry M. Morgan | Private Consultant | No |
| 1999 | John C. Philley | Morehead State University | No |
| 1998 | James K. Vincent | Private Consultant | No |
| 1997 | William MacQuown | University of Kentucky | No |
| 1996 | Wallace H. Hagan | Kentucky Geological Survey | No |
