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.
2025 Award Recipient
Chris Caras
Director, Driver License Division, State of Utah Department of Public Safety
For the past decade, Chris Caras has led the Utah's Driver License Division, a role that represents the culmination of a remarkable 33-year career that began unassumingly on the front lines as a Driver License Examiner. From those early days, he steadily rose through the ranks, embracing every opportunity to serve—from Field Office Supervisor to overseeing Administrative Hearings. Each role became a stepping stone that prepared him for greater responsibility and deeper impact.
His involvement with AAMVA has been nothing short of extraordinary. Chris has volunteered countless hours on committees and working groups, building an impressive legacy of leadership. His AAMVA résumé reads like an honor roll: Region 4 President, Driver Committee Chair, State-to-State Governance Committee Chair, and NRVC Chair. He has served with distinction on the AAMVA International Board and was instrumental as a founding member of the Identity Management Steering Committee.
While his unwavering commitment and perpetual willingness to serve are certainly admirable, it's Chris's unique contributions within those countless meetings that truly set him apart. He brings a thoughtful, measured approach to every challenge—taking time to examine issues from every conceivable angle before offering perspectives that consistently serve the greater good of all jurisdictions and the public we serve.
Past Recipients
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