Radon Reporter Dec 2024
30 | December 2024 THE RADON REPORTER | 31 INDUSTRY NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS IEA/AARST 2024 Awards Elizabeth Hoffman Award: Kerri Robbins Kerri Robins is someone whose strength, courage, and unwavering commitment to public health have made a profound impact on radon awareness. Diagnosed with stage four non-smoking lung cancer in 2022, Kerri Robins could have turned inward, but instead, she used her journey to educate and save lives. Through her statewide radon awareness campaign in Utah, Kerri has inspired action across the state and beyond. Her advocacy led to the passage of two critical bills—Senate Bill 201 and House Bill 104—to empower homeowners and raise radon awareness. Her work, despite her own health battle, stands as a testament to the power of determination. For her tireless efforts and incredible results, the 2024 Elizabeth Hoffman Award was awarded to Kerri Robins. Radon Community Impact Award – Public Service Ally: Johna Boulafenti s Johna Boulafentis was presented with the 2024 Radon Community Impact Award. As an Environmental Specialist with the Nez Perce Tribe, Johna has been a passionate advocate for radon awareness and public health. Her work has reached thousands, particularly in underserved communities, and includes launching innovative outreach programs like the Northwest Radon Awareness Coloring Contest and vital radon testing in tribal housing. Through every initiative, Johna has shown a steadfast dedication to improving indoor environments and protecting the health of her community. For these reasons and more, IEA honored Johna with this well- deserved award. Radon Community Impact Award: Josh Kerber Josh Kerber has positioned Minnesota as a national and international leader in radon protection and regulation. Under his leadership, the state has implemented groundbreaking laws, including radon disclosure requirements during real estate transactions and licensing for radon professionals, setting the standard for other states. He has also provided guidance to states developing their own radon certification programs and is recognized nationwide for his expertise in radon testing and mitigation. Since 2013, Josh has chaired the CRCPD E-25 Committee on Radon, dedicating countless volunteer hours to radon risk reduction and technical advancement. He serves on the National Radon Action Plan leadership council, offers training and education, and helps develop the state and tribal track for the annual IEA symposium. Josh has also represented CRCPD in international radon efforts with the IAEA. His leadership has greatly impacted radon awareness and regulation, making him a deserving recipient of this Radon Community Impact award. Radon Community Impact Award – Journalist: Gabby Easterwood As a journalist, Gabby Easterwood has used her platform to shed light on one of the most pressing yet underreported public health risks—radon. Through her thoughtful and impactful coverage in Denver, Gabby has inspired hundreds of residents to test their homes and take steps to protect their families. Her dedication to this cause demonstrates the immense power of media in raising public consciousness. For her outstanding contributions to radon awareness through journalism, IEA presented Gabby Easterwood with the 2024 Radon Community Impact Award in the Journalist Ally category. Chapter Leadership Award: Dawn & Bob Coffee Dawn and Bob Coffee were the recipients of the IEA Chapter Leadership Award for their pivotal roles in establishing and leading the Indiana Chapter of the Indoor Environments Association. As Chapter President, Dawn spearheaded the chapter’s formation in April 2023 and successfully organized its first one-day event in December, setting a strong foundation for future growth. As Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, Bob Coffee has been instrumental in coordinating committee discernment of which policy initiative should be pursued, planning its approach to notification and disclosure legislation, and leading the advocacy work. Together, Dawn and Bob exemplify leadership by actively supporting members, fostering collaboration, and advancing impactful policies. Their dedication and vision continue to inspire and strengthen the Indiana Chapter and the broader IEA community. Governance Award : Dave Hill For over 25 years, Dave Hill has been a pillar of leadership within IEA/AARST. His outstanding service, insight, and guidance have shaped the governance of our organization and helped further its mission of radon risk reduction. Dave’s contributions have made a lasting impact on the radon community and the lives we protect. With great admiration and gratitude Dave was presented the 2024 Governance Award for his remarkable leadership. PRESIDENT’S AWARDS Rick Saulen Rick Saulen was presented with the IEA President’s Award in recognition of his 35 years of unwavering dedication to the radon industry. Known as “Radon Rick,” he has become a trusted resource for radon contractors nationwide, always ready to answer the call and offer expert guidance. Whether addressing simple code compliance issues or tackling complex cases involving homes and commercial buildings, Rick’s ability to troubleshoot and guide others through challenges is legendary. His commitment to educating and mentoring professionals has elevated countless individuals in the radon industry, helping them enhance their skills and succeed. Rick’s impact is profound, and his contributions continue to shape the field every day. Bruce Henschel Bruce Henschel exceptional work at the U.S. EPA’s Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory has had a lasting impact on the radon mitigation industry. His most notable contribution, Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses: Technical Guidance (Third Edition), published in 1993, has been a cornerstone for radon mitigation practices over the past 30 years. Bruce’s research set the foundation for the use of active soil depressurization systems and has helped safeguard countless homes. Beyond his technical expertise, Bruce’s collaborative approach with radon professionals and government officials has elevated standards across the industry. His work not only reflected the best research but also incorporated real-world experiences from mitigators in the field. Bruce’s humility and leadership have made him a thought leader in radon risk reduction, and we are truly grateful for his contributions. Today President’s Award celebrated and honored Bruce’s profound influence on the radon industry and his unwavering commitment to public health. Paige Hinkle https://www.lung.org/blog/radon-teen-advocate The IEA President’s Award was presented to Paige Hinkle, whose dedication and advocacy in the fight against radon have been truly inspiring. Paige’s journey began as a teenager when she first learned about the dangers of radon and quickly became a passionate advocate for raising awareness. Her efforts have been pivotal in educating communities about radon exposure and promoting effective mitigation strategies. Through countless presentations and outreach activities, Paige has empowered individuals to take action in their own homes. Her commitment extends beyond local efforts; she has also collaborated with national organizations to amplify her message. Paige’s remarkable contributions have made a significant impact in advancing radon awareness and protecting public health, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award. Chad Robinson Chad Robinson was recognized for outstanding leadership in radon instruction and education. As a great teacher, he is humble, listens well and has high integrity. Throughout his work, he has had a significant impact on the community - not for personal gain or attention but simply to make things better. His passion for the environment and many years of construction design led him to focus his expertise on radon mitigation and energy efficiency. Chad has also provided leadership on the IEA Board, in the Heartland Chapter, on standards committees, and within NRPP. He has also been active in the community as the President of the local and state Homebuilders Association. IEA Recognition: Nicole Chazaud The outstanding contributions made by Nicole Chazaud during her 16-year tenure with AARST/IEA were recognized as she attended her final Symposium. Since joining the organization in January 2009, she has been an invaluable asset, wearing multiple hats and excelling in every role she undertook. In her roles as Communications Director, Symposium Manager, Event Planner, and Marketing Communications & Membership Coordinator, Nicole played a crucial role in shaping the organization’s communications strategy, managing membership growth, and ensuring the success of the annual Symposium. Her expertise in graphic design, web development, and event management significantly enhanced our association’s visibility and impact within the industry. Her commitment to excellence and her passion for the organization will be deeply missed. CRCPD Award Kim Steves Kim Steves was recognized for 30+ years dedication to reducing radon exposure through her work at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, leadership roles in the agency, and leadership on the CRCPD board as well as national radon committees, including E25. Kim’s leadership was instrumental in getting legislation passed re: radon in KS to improve radon education and outreach and to ensure a regulatory environment over radon contractors to protect the residents of Kansas. Kim consistently assists state radon programs by sharing her knowledge and experience. Kim has participated in the National Radon Action Plan, has represented state radon programs on code development and is always willing to step up and help out when needed. Her consistent actions of working with industry to lower radon risks is a model for others to follow. She aided in protocol development and worked with KSU to develop and provide some of the best radon training in the world. Her message for radon risk exposure is and has been consistent for years: “As public health workers, we cannot get any risk reduction without the aid of the industry. Public health can preach testing homes, but without the industry practitioners installing mitigation systems or building new residences radon-resistant, there will be no risk reduction. She works with the radon industry to ensure consistent messaging between industry and radon programs.
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