The Chair’s Award of Excellence and Achievement is a special honor given at the discretion of the AAMVA Chair of the International Board of Directors to an individual or organization whose contributions and service have left a lasting impact on the AAMVA community. The award is presented each year at AAMVA’s Annual International Conference.
2026 Award Recipient
Rhonda Lahm
Director, Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Rhonda Lahm was appointed Director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles on January 5, 2023, by Governor Jim Pillen. She was previously appointed Director by Governor Heinemann in February of 2013 and Governor Ricketts in January 2015. Prior to her appointment as Director, Lahm served for over twenty-five years as a sworn officer with the Nebraska State Patrol, retiring at the rank of Major. She also has prior work in state government as a Corrections Officer, Driver License Examiner, and Records Manager.
Lahm has served as a member of the State Emergency Response Commission, Domestic Violence Task Force, Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board, and the Lincoln Lancaster County United Way Board of Directors. She has served as a board member of AAMVA Region III and the AAMVA International Board of Directors.
Lahm is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in Biology and Natural Sciences. She received a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management from Doane University.
Past Recipients
2025: Chris Caras, Utah
2024: John Batiste, Washington
2023: Anne S. Ferro, AAMVA
2022: Kurt Myers, Pennsylvania
2021: Rick Holcomb, Virginia
2020: Dianne Graham, AAMVA
2019: Philippe Guiot, AAMVA
2018: Chrissy Nizer, Maryland
2017: Cathie Curtis, Director, AAMVA
2016: Betty Serian, TML Information Services, Inc.
2015: Brad Simpson, Utah
2014: Pat & Velva Crahan, U-Haul International
2013: Dennis A. Kamimura, Hawaii
2012: Jerry Dike, Texas (retired)
2011: Debra Hilmer, South Dakota
2010: Berta Phelps, Manheim Auctions
2009: Judy Brown, Texas
2008: Julie Allen, Missouri
2007: Michael R. Calvin, Interim President & CEO, AAMVA
2006: Anne Witt, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles, District of Columbia
2005: Texas Department of Transportation, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Staff
2004: AAMVA Staff
2003: Dan Gill, The Gill Group