2025 Innovation & Leadership Award Winners

Eleven Leaders from Nine States Received National Honors from ASC

Nine leaders from across the nation were recognized in Washington, DC on September 16 at the 2025 Innovation and Leadership Awards, hosted by America’s Service Commissions (ASC). The awards program is held each year to recognize the accomplishments of state service commission staff, commissioners, service programs, and champions of national service throughout the United States and its territories.

Congratulations to the following awardees!

Friend of ASC: US Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska)

Since 2005, ASC has given this award to leaders of national importance who have gone above and beyond to support commissions and the field of national service and volunteerism. This award is the highest honor presented by ASC and only for the most exceptional service champions.

Congressman Don Bacon was elected in 2016 to represent Nebraska’s second district. After graduating from North Illinois University, he began his military career by joining the U.S. Air Force and serving nearly 30 years, ultimately retiring as a Brigadier General. In total, Congressman Bacon served 16 assignments including four deployments across the globe. His military decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, two Legion of Merits, five Meritorious Service Medals, and the Aerial Achievement Medal. During Congressman Bacon’s time in Congress he has been a supporter of AmeriCorps and volunteerism, speaking up in support of funding these efforts. Congressman Bacon is married to Angie, the love of his life, and they have three sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren.

State Service Leadership Award: Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser (R-Louisiana) and Dianne Primavera (D-Colorador)

This award recognizes state and local leaders who have taken concrete action to leverage national service and volunteerism to meet their community’s most pressing needs in a strategic or unique way.

Billy Nungesser is Louisiana’s 54th Lieutenant Governor. People remember him as the voice of Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2005. Since taking office in 2016, he and his team have guided the state to record-breaking tourism numbers, revitalized the State Park system, and has been an advocate for national service and volunteerism, especially in times of disaster. Lt. Governor Nungesser continues to strategize and build bi-partisan relationships to solve short and long-term solutions benefiting every citizen in the state. He is a friend and bold champion for entrepreneurs, veterans, law enforcement, special needs children and adults, the elderly, and of course, national service.

Dianne Primavera is serving her second term as Colorado’s 50th Lieutenant Governor. In her role, she leads six programs including Serve Colorado. Prior to her role as Lt. Gov., she worked as chief executive officer (CEO) of Susan G. Komen Colorado and served eight years in the State Legislature. Throughout her service, Dianne was highly regarded for her success working across the aisle to pass legislation advocating for people with disabilities, expanding access to health care, and supporting Coloradans’ access to quality cancer screenings and treatment, and for championing service and volunteerism.

Outstanding Commissioner: Allyson Snell (New Hampshire)

As board members who provide essential guidance and oversight, commissioners are a critical component of state and territorial service commission success. The counsel they provide commission staff is invaluable in advancing national service and volunteering throughout the country.

Ally Snell is the Community Partnerships Manager for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, bringing over 20 years of experience in community development, strategic communications, and civic engagement. Ally returned to her home state in 2018 after 15 years in public service leadership with federal agencies including the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and the USDA, and a proud national service alumna. Ally currently serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for Volunteer NH, the state’s Commission on Volunteering and Service. She lives in Concord, NH with her husband, daughter, and cat.

Outstanding Commission Executive Director: Emily Litchfield (Arizona)

This award is reserved for an individual who demonstrates unparalleled leadership and innovative thinking to get things done in their state.

Emily Litchfield serves as the AmeriCorps & Volunteerism Director at the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family. Emily has had a heart for service since childhood as a Girl Scout, a Youth Leader at Church, and participating in service clubs like the National Honor Society and Order of Omega. With nearly 20 years in national service, Emily began her career as a student worker with an AmeriCorps Seniors program. After a stint in the nonprofit sector, Emily returned to national service as an AmeriCorps Seniors Coordinator. Now serving as the AmeriCorps Director for the State of Arizona, Emily implements the values of teamwork, innovation, and compassion to build collaborative efforts across the state. Emily is Midwest born and Arizona raised and an avid fan of live music, the Chicago Cubs, and her 10-year-old daughter.

Outstanding Commission Staff: Michael Ashmore (Maine)

This award is reserved for an individual commission staff member who demonstrates leadership, implements innovative strategies to get things done, and provides consistent service to programs to realize success.

Michael Ashmore joined Volunteer Maine in 2010. As Program Development & Training Officer, he is responsible for outreach and pre-application training for organizations interested in using National Service as a solution. He is also responsible for providing training to funded agencies and organizations interested in increasing their capacity to utilize the power of volunteer service. Michael started with the Commission as Grants Officer, a position he held for six years. He has also been a non-profit director, a teacher at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels, as well as a school district administrator. He brings experience guiding volunteers as onetime director and coordinator of volunteers for the NAMES Project-Maine; AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Outstanding Service Program: Salt Lake County MVP (Utah)

Service programs are organizations that commit themselves to making a difference in their communities by leveraging the power of national and/or community service. The award winner in this category must perform meaningful service, maintain a strong record of compliance, and demonstrate a lasting impact on their members, community, and state.

The Salt Lake County Most Vulnerable Populations (SLCo MVP) AmeriCorps Program is dedicated to addressing unmet economic needs among individuals and communities facing some of the most persistent challenges—such as homelessness, unemployment, and involvement with the criminal justice system. With a team of 24 AmeriCorps members serving in 14 organizations across Utah, the program helps individuals access the resources and support they need to work toward long-term stability. Members serve as Community Support Specialists, collaborating with licensed case managers and social workers to deliver individualized support tailored to each client’s unique circumstances, such as transitioning from shelters into stable housing, helping them navigate requirements, complete assessments, and find placements that meet their needs. Through these services, the program strengthens community capacity and helps ensure that those with the greatest economic need are not left behind.

Outstanding Service Program Staff: Victor Barrett and Katie Snow (North Carolina)

Operating a service program is no small feat. It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, and vision, as well as a commitment to continuous learning. This award is reserved for an individual service program staff member who has demonstrated consistent leadership and dedication to get things done through service. 

Victor Barrett has more than 17 years of experience in AmeriCorps program management, compliance, and fiscal oversight. He began his career with Project POWER at Children First of Buncombe County before co-founding Project MARS AmeriCorps at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina. Victor ensures the program operates with excellence, consistently ranking among the state’s strongest programs. His creativity and humor bring trainings to life, making complex material engaging while fostering the culture of connection that defines Project MARS.

Katie Snow has dedicated more than 15 years to advancing national service in North Carolina, leading AmeriCorps programs that empower young people and strengthen communities. After a decade as a social worker in foster care and child protection, she transitioned to national service. Since 2013, Katie has directed Project MARS AmeriCorps at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, where she has expanded the program across 10 rural counties. Known for fostering an “AmeriFamily,” Katie creates a culture of belonging and purpose that supports members through orientation, training, and service year challenges, while preparing them for future success.

Honor Roll: Maryalice Crofton (Maine) and Melinda Points (Oklahoma)

ASC created the Honor Roll in 2016 to recognize former commission leaders who have blazed a trail and left behind a lasting impact on our network.

Maryalice spent 30 years at the Maine commission after working 19 years in the private, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Her first encounter with CNCS was a meeting to demand Maine stay certified as an AmeriCorps participant and request a grant management manual. It set a tone that lasted. She collaborated with four other states to create the online grant management system, WBRS (say what you will, it was better than paper). Maryalice reflects on her career and cited three things that stood out. “First, we stayed grounded in Asset-based Community Development. Second, we accidentally always were ahead of the curve. Third, we learned from the projects we executed for governors and our own edification, many are still strong today.”

Melinda Points began her career in investment banking but found her true calling in public service. In January 1995, she left the private sector to join the newly established Oklahoma Community Service Commission, where she quickly became a driving force for innovation in national service programs. Under her leadership, Melinda helped develop a single-site placement model for AmeriCorps members, aimed at supporting small and under-resourced nonprofit organizations. This initiative has since grown into the largest AmeriCorps program in Oklahoma’s portfolio, continuing to strengthen communities and expand nonprofit capacity across the state.