The nominee must work for an agency at the federal, state, or local level and must have demonstrated significant and consistent support of trail planning, design, or implementation through strong leadership and/or legislative efforts. The nominee may be an elected official, a paid employee, or a volunteer.
Tom is the Superintendent for the North Country and Ice Age National Scenic Trails
In August of 2002, Tom Gilbert was presented with his 30-year service pin by the National Park Service.Tom entered Federal Service in 1972 after obtaining a degree in Parks and Recreation Resources from Michigan State University. He has conducted feasibility studies for the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, he has served as a team member or consultant on the development of management plans for many National Trail Systems including the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, he has served as the trail administrator of the North Country and Lewis & Clark Trails in Omaha.
During his stint as the administrator of these trails, he produced several white papers on the National Trails System Act that influenced federal practice to this day. Tom has spent his entire career building the National Trails System and without his influence, guidance and wisdom, our National Trails would be very different today.
2015: Karl Knapp
2013: Roger Sabine
2010: Senator Robert H. Plymale
2006: Steve Anderson
