TACC AWARDS
We congratulate all of our previous award winners and thank you for going above and beyond!
Cooperator of the Year
2025 - Tony Morton
2024 - Charley Triplett
2023 - Craig Shook
2022 - Bobby Kurten
2021 - Jim Massey
2020 - Dennis Artho
2019 - Robert Lacy
2018 - Eddie Smith
2017 - Danny Helms
2016 - Rex Ford
2015 - John Dunlap
2014 - Lonnie Winters
Cooperative Ginner of the Year
2025 - Tony Newton
2024 - Jerry Butman
2023 - Guyle Robertson
2022 - Curtis Stewart
2021 - Mike Yeary
2020 - David Wyatt
2019 - Rick Timmins
2018 - Ed Landry
2017 - David Wied
2016 - Larry Black
2015 - Randy Reid
2014 - Bob Ballard
TACC Emerging Leader Award
Recognizing the Next Generation of Cooperative Leadership
The TACC Emerging Leader Award honors an outstanding new leader in the cooperative industry who demonstrates initiative, innovation, and a strong commitment to the cooperative model. This award recognizes individuals who, early in their leadership journey, are already making a meaningful impact on their cooperative and the broader cooperative community.
This recognition is open to emerging leaders across all cooperative sectors—including agricultural, farm credit, electric, and telephone—highlighting those who are helping strengthen and advance the cooperative system in Texas.
Qualifications
Nominees must:
Be a new cooperative manager, key staff member, or board member;
Have less than five (5) years of service in their current leadership role;
Demonstrate strong leadership potential and a commitment to cooperative principles;
Contribute to the growth, innovation, or improved operations of their cooperative;
Promote collaboration, education, or advocacy within the cooperative community;
Represent the future of cooperative leadership in Texas.
Tommy Engelke Distinguished Service Award
2025 - Emmy Kiphen
2024 - Freddie Maxwell
2023- Tim Loonam
2022 - Darren Turley
2021 - Tony Williams
2020 - Ron Harkey, Kyle & Dana King
2019 - Frank Thompson
2018 - Ronnie Gilbert, Rick King
2017 - Johnny Anderson, Darwin Robetson, Bob Stanley
2016 - Dr. Phil Johnson, Dr. John Park
2015 - Bob Snodgrass
2014 - Tommy Engelke
Nomination Form
If you would like to nominate someone you feel should be a recipient of one of our awards, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you. Thank you!
This nomination form and supporting materials must be submitted by September 1, 2026. Supporting materials include:
A narrative (written report) listing the nominee's service and accomplishments in their occupation, cooperative, community, and other groups submitted in the form below.
One or more letters (addressed to the selection committee) supporting the nominee's selection emailed to Christy Lewis at info@texas.coop. These letters may come from friends, business associates, civic and community leaders, church groups, cooperative officials, or others.
If your nominee does not win this year, the President’s committee will have the option to carry over applications to the next year.
This award will be presented at TACC’s Annual Meeting in March.