Button Gwinnett District Adult Leader Recognition

SILVER BEAVER AWARD RECIPIENTS

2007 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Tim Ziolkowski " Ski"

Silver Beaver recipient Timothy “Ski” Ziolkowski According to those he volunteers with, is not aware of the word “no.” After one gets to know Ski, however, you begin to realize that even if he did know it, he would rarely use it.

Described as a caring and generous volunteer, Timothy “Ski” Ziolkowski has been on hand to help out whenever the need arose. For ten years Ski was on the BB and Archery Range staff for Camp-o-rees and has continued on the Camp-o-ree Staff as a revered culinary genius. From feeding over 200 hungry Cub Scouts and parents at District events, to teaching a handful of Scoutmasters at a time the secrets of gourmet campfire cuisine, Ski’s skills in the kitchen, indoors or out, are second to none.

Ski has also served as Advisor to the Tella Qualla Chapter of the Order of the Arrow. He is described as giving unprecedented leadership to the boys in the chapter and helping the ceremonies team deliver unequaled Cross-Over Ceremonies at packs across the Button Gwinnett and Hightower Trail Districts. He continues his commitment to helping youth in Scouts by serving as Life to Eagle Advisor at Troop 268 and as an Assistant Cubmaster and Webelos Den Leader at Pack 268.

In addition to the Silver Beaver Award, Ski has been honored with the Scouter’s Award, the Vigil Honor by the Order of the Arrow, the Keystone Award, the District Award of Merit, and is a Master of Commissioner Science.

Ski is a U.S. Navy Veteran and active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He is now self-employed and lives in Atlanta with his wife Robin. He has two sons, Michael and Daniel, both of whom are Eagle Scouts.

2007 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Fred Gates

Silver Beaver recipient Assistant Scout Master Fred Gates has served as Woodruff Scout Reservation Program Director since the summer of 2005. His Scouting career, however, began when he was a young boy. Fred started as a Cub Scout and progressed through the program to the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts, and later joined Explorer Scouts. As a youth he participated as a Camp Staffer for both Atlanta Area Council camps. Fred is an Order of the Arrow member and a member-at-large of the Button-Gwinnett District and has been honored with the Scouter’s Award.

As Woodruff Scout Reservation Program Director, Fred has taken summer camps to new heights. From adding merit badge classes and last minute issues, to rethinking campfire programs and producing what many call “the best campfire I’ve ever seen,” his dedication to running quality summer camps has given many Scouts opportunities to succeed.

Fred has one son Jefferson, an Eagle Scout, and one daughter Elizabeth. Both Jefferson and Elizabeth are active in the Venturing program. Fred is an active member of St. David’s Episcopal Church and a member of the University of Georgia Alumni Association. “Go Dawgs!”

2007 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: John Cherry

Silver Beaver recipient John Cherry is active in many places in the Atlanta Area Council. In a progression of unit leadership, he has served as Assistant Cubmaster, Cubmaster, and now as Scoutmaster at Troop 525 in the Button Gwinnett District.

In addition to the Silver Beaver Award, John has been honored with the Scouter’s Key, the Scouter’s Training Award, the Cubmaster’s Award, the NESA Scoutmaster Award of Merit, and the District Award of Merit.

John’s dedication to the Scouting program reaches beyond service to youth, to leaders and volunteers. He is Woodbadge trained and has served on Woodbadge staff for courses 92-47,

92-50, 92-53, and 92-56. In 2008, he will continue his career at Gilwell as Course Director, 92-59.

John has lived in the Atlanta area for 22 years and works for AT&T Global Business Services. He and his wife Karen live in Norcross with their daughter Lauren. Karen is a fourth grade teacher at Greater Atlanta Christian School. Their son Alan, an Eagle Scout, is currently a freshman at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

2006 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Robert George Fitzgerald

Volunteers in the Button Gwinnett District feel that Robert Fitzgerald is one of the most dedicated Scouters around.

Robert currently serves as the Button Gwinnett District Advancement Chairman, Button Gwinnett District Assistant Commissioner, on Troop 419’s Committee, as well as on the Committee for Crew 9236 on the Council he is the National Eagle Scout Association Day Chairman and has helped hundreds of Scouts earn Eagle required merit badges.

As a Unit Scouter: Robert has served on the Pack 420 Committee, at Troop 419 he has served as the Troop Fundraiser Chair, also on the Troop Advancement Committee and has been a Merit Badge Counselor for 12 years.

On the District: Robert has served as a Unit Commissioner, as part of the District Camping Committee, District Training Staff, District Pinewood Derby Committee, District Program Staff, Roundtable Staff, Activities Committee and the on District Committee, in 1998 he was recruited to provide guidance and support for the newly formed Button Gwinnett District by Sue and Jim Nunn.

On the Council level: Robert has served on the College of Commissioner Science Staff, NESA Day Staff; Train the Trainer Staff, Scouters Academy Staff, District Committee Training Workshop Staff and the Council Advancement Committee.

Robert has been recognized for his dedication to Scouting, earning the Cub Scouters Award, Boy Scouter's Award; the Commissioner's Arrowhead, the Commissioner's Key, the Distinguished Commissioner Award, the District Award of Merit, and the Button Gwinnett District Golden Quill, and his Masters from the College of Commissioner Science he is also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.

Robert was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in the Onondaga Council in Syracuse NY.

Robert and his wife Cheryl have been married for 26 years and reside in Duluth.

They have one son, Jonathan who is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow and they have one stepdaughter and two granddaughters in North Carolina

Professionally, Robert has spent over 20 years in the glass and silkscreen printing industry as a Production Manager. Outside of Scouting he volunteers his time as a Youth Coordinator with the Catholic Youth Organization.

Robert enjoys giving back to Scouts as it has given many years of good times to his family.

2006 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: W. Phillip Holt

Phillip Holt has been the Chapter Advisor for Tella Qualla Boundary of the Order of the Arrow for more then 13 years. Through his enthusiasm, leadership and tireless efforts, Phillip has set an example of cheerful service to others.

To the Scouts and Scouters in Button Gwinnett District, Phillip has given the Order of the Arrow in Button Gwinnett District a name with a face as he has given the Lad’s what they have needed to learn to grow in men.

Phillip currently serves as the Chapter Advisor for Tella Qualla Boundary; he serves on the District Committee, the District Training staff, District Advancement Committee and as the Charter Organization Representative for Venturing Crew 9236.

Phillip’s involvement in Scouting as an adult started 15 years ago when he volunteered as a Den Leader. Over many years Phillip has served as a Merit Badge Counselor, an Assistant Scoutmaster, as a Unit Commissioner and a District Commissioner.

Phillip’s service has been noted with the Boy Scouter's Award, Scouter's Key, the Commissioner's Arrowhead, the Commissioner's Key, the District Award of Merit, Scouters Religious Award, the Order of the Arrow Founders Award and his Doctorate from the College of Commissioner Science.

He is an Eagle Scout and Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow.

Phillip is a graduate of the University of Florida; he is the Manager of an Auto Parts Company, he also works as a Corporate Investigator and Fraud Audit Instructor.

Phillip also finds time outside of his work and Scouting to serve the youth through other organizations. For Five years Phillip has volunteered as a Little League Umpire, as a Youth Soccer Coach, a Softball Coach, a tutor for Special Needs Children, a Camp Skills Instructor for the Girl Scouts, and a Special Olympics Coach

Phillip is a decorated Veteran of 47 months of Service in Vietnam. He is married to his wife Kristi for 34 years. They have one son, Andrew who is 24 years old and is an Eagle Scout. They also have a daughter, Karie who is 22 years old and is a Silver Scout in the Girl Scouts.

2005 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Joseph F. Shields

"I could not comprehend my life without the existence of the Boy Scouts of America. I have been put in many situations where the boys have taught me how to approach a difficult situation to gain a positive end result." For the last 50 years, Joseph Shields has put into action his lessons learned through Scouting and our community has been the beneficiary. Joe currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 419, Advisor for Crew 9236 and District Vice Chair of Program for the Button-Gwinnett District. Joe has also served as a member of the Camping Committee, Scoutmaster, Post Advisor, OA Advisor, Wood Badge Staff member and District Training Chairman. He has earned the Scouter's Key and Scouter's Award. He has been honored with the Scoutmaster Award of Merit and the District Award of Merit. He is a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow and Wood Badge Trained.

Joe has spent 25 years in the security industry, and currently works with Thorpe Enterprises.

Other community affiliations include American Society for Industrial Security, West Gwinnett Soccer Club, and St. Monica's Catholic Church.

Joe and his wife Marion reside in Duluth and have 3 children: daughter Jennifer, Eagle Scout Timothy and Life Scout Kevin.

2005 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Cheryl M. Fitzgerald

When Cheryl Earned the Gold Award as a Girl Scout in upstate New York she probably did not think that she would ever be so consumed with Boy Scouting as an adult, but her love for Scouting easily carried over. Cheryl currently serves the Button-Gwinnett District as Training Chairman, an Associate Advisor for Crew 9236 and a Troop Committee Member for Troop 419. She has been a District Vice Chairman of Program, Cub Leader Training Chairman, and a member of the district Advancement Committee. On the Council level, Cheryl has served on the College of Commissioner Science Staff, Wood Badge Staff and Order of the Arrow Staff. She has earned the Scouter's

Key and the Scouter's Award, and is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. The district has honored her with the District Award of Merit and the Golden Quill Award.

Cheryl is the Office Manager for Cyexx Incorporated, a company that specializes in IT Services and Data Recovery Support.

An avid outdoorswoman, Cheryl is a year around camper and hiker.

Cheryl and her husband Robert have one son, Jonathan who is an Eagle Scout.

2005 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Thomas A. Pakurar, Jr.

Thom Pakurar believes that the most valuable asset that a youth gains from Scouting is common sense. Thom is currently the District Commissioner of the Button Gwinnett District. He has served on the Commissioner College Staff, Pack and Troop Committee for 827, Chartered Organization Representative, Troop Committee Chairman, and is heavily involved in the Council's aquatics program where he serves as Scuba and Snorkeling Director. Thom is a recipient of the Scouter's Award, the Commissioner's Key, the Distinguished Commissioner, and has his Doctorate from the College of Commissioner Science. He has been awarded the Commissioner's Arrowhead, his faith's religious award, the District Award of Merit, and the Golden Quill. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Thom works as a Finish Carpenter remodeling homes and providing fine custom cabinetry.

Thom is a scuba instructor for Scuba School International (SSI) in Lawrenceville. His passion for diving has led him to work with the National Scouting Scuba Program. Thom serves as the Chairman of the Archdiocese of the Atlanta Catholic Committee on Scouting serving 13 Scout Councils, is an Advocate for the Knights of Columbus Council #12883, and a Member of the American Management Association.

Thom and his wife Melissa have three children: newborn daughter Isabella, Nicholas 2, and Victoria 4.

2004 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Kevin L. Dunn

Kevin L. Dunn has played a valuable role in the success of the Button Gwinnett District for several years. He has served as Assistant Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chairman, Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Merit Badge Counselor, Cub Scout Activities Chairman, District Training Member, Commissioner, and on Day Camp Staff. Kevin is currently active in the planning Cub Adventure Camp and is serving as District Chairman of the Button Gwinnett District.

Kevin is an Eagle Scout and Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. He was awarded two distinguished service keys as a member of Alpha Phi Omega and works with Clemson University Alumni, Christ Church Episcopal, and the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators.

Kevin is the founding member of DataTrends Technology Corporation, a Partner with Client Files, Inc. and a Partner with Mecca Properties, LLC.

Kevin and his wife Sheli have three children: Andrew 11, Kailyn 9, and Kiana 8.

2002 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Gregory D. Lindquist

Gregory Lindquist was first introduced to Scouting in 1958 when .he became a Cub Scout. Today, he serves the Atlanta Area Council as the Chairman for the Button Gwinnett District and as Scoutmaster for Troop 650.

Greg has been actively involved in the Scouting program. He has served as Den Leader, Tiger Coach, Cubmaster, Committee Chairman and Assistant Scoutmaster. On the District level, he has served as Assistant District Commissioner, Webelos Round-up Coordinator and as a member of the District Training Committee. Council wide, Greg has served as a National Jamboree Scoutmaster and has served as a staff member for both Wood Badge and the College of Commissioner Science.

For his service to Scouting, Greg has received the Cub Scouter's Award, Webelos Den Leader Award, Scouter's Award, Scouter's Key, District Award of Merit, Scoutmaster Award of Merit and District Committee Key. He holds a Bachelor Degree nom the College of Commissioner Science. Greg is a member of the Order of the Arrow and is Wood Badge trained.

As an active member of the community, Greg has served as a Coach for Baseball, Football, Basketball and Softball through the Duluth Athletics Association.

Together with his wife of 27 years, Betsy, Greg has two children, a daughter Kelly and a son, David, who is an Eagle Scout. He is the Eastern Sales Manager for A. L. P. Lighting.

2000 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: John J. Jenkins

John's interest in Scouting is a result of the impact the program has had in his own family. John and his wife, Mary Sue, have one son, Brian. They have watched Brian grow, mature and advance to the rank of Eagle.

Through Brian's journey to Eagle, John has remained extremely involved in the Button-Gwinnett District. He has served as a Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, District Training Chairman, Vice-Chairman for Program and Camping Chairman. John currently serves as the Council Training Chairman.

Over the past several years, John has worked with the Council as an Instructor and Assistant Dean for the College of Commissioner's Science and as a member of the National Jamboree Committee.

As a result of John's strong support of Scouting, he has received the Award of Merit and Cubmaster Award. He is Wood Badge trained and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

John is very civic minded. He is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. John also is active with the Duluth High local school advisory Council and Voice of the Duluth Wildcat Band.

Professionally, John is the Director of Interactive Services for Cingular Wireless where he has worked for 28 years.

1992 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Ken Birmingham
Ken first registered in scouting in 1974 as a Den Leader in Nassau County Council. Ken was a founding member for a new pack focusing on boys with learning disabilities. Today Ken is the Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner for the Button Gwinnett District, Atlanta Area Council and the Charter Organization representative for Norcross Presbyterian Troop 648.
Ken has served many unit positions in scouting including Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Scoutmaster. Ken has served his district as Unit Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, District Aquatic Meet Chairman, District Activities Chairman, District Training Committee, and District Roundtable Staff. Ken has also served his council as Campmaster, Council Training Committee, Course Director Scoutmaster Fundamentals, and Assistant Course Director on three bi-council Wood Badge courses.
Ken is Woodbadge trained NEIII-78-82 Bisons. For his service to scouting Ken has received the Scouter Training Award, Scoutmaster Key, District Award of Merit, and has his religious award. Ken is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.
Professionally Ken is the National Account Manger for Hewlett Packard. Ken is also active in the community and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and as an advisor/chaperon to the church’s youth group as well as Sunday School Teacher. Both of Ken’s sons, Tom and Rick are Eagle Scouts.

1988 Recipient - The Silver Beaver: Jim & Sue Nunn
Jim and Sue have been active Scouters for more than 50 years, both in Girl Scouting and Boy Scouting. Currently they serve as Commissioners and on Camp Staff. Few people have influenced more young lives than Jim and Sue. They have shared most of their lives helping Scouts benefit from the Scouting program and preparing Leaders to better serve our youth.
Sue Nunn is a native of Livingston, Texas and a graduate of both Stephen F. Austin College and Georgia State University. Sue worked in the teaching profession for 30 years and was awarded the honor of "Teacher of the Year" in Dekalb County Schools.
In her 25 years as a Boy Scout Volunteer, Sue has held the positions of Philmont Training Center Faculty, National Camp School Faculty, Woodruff Scout Reservation Staff, Green Bar Staff, Dean of the College of Commissioner Science, Day Camp Director, Cub World Program Director, District Training Chairman, District Program Chairman as well as many other Unit, District and Council positions.
Sue is the recipient of the District Award of Merit, OA Vigil Honor, Distinguished Commissioner Award and the Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge Award, among many others. She has been active in the Girl Scouts for over 50 years where she earned the Curved Bar, the highest award in Girl Scouting, and remains active today. She also serves as an American Red Cross Instructor and a National Rifle Association Instructor. Sue is a member of the Chamblee Order of Eastern Star, Chapter #362.
Jim Nunn is a native of Hazard, Kentucky and a graduate of Berea College, Vanderbilt University and Georgia State University. Jim also worked in the teaching profession for 40 years and coached for 20 of those years.
In his 33 years as a Boy Scout Volunteer, Jim has held the positions of Philmont Training Center Faculty, National Camp School Faculty, Woodruff Scout Reservation Staff, Green Bar Staff, Dean of the College of Commissioner Science, Training Chairman, Day Camp Director, Cub World Director, Wood Badge Course Director as well as many other Unit, District and Council positions.
Jim is the recipient of the Eagle Scout Award, District Award of Merit, OA Vigil Honor, Distinguished Commissioner Award and the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award among many others. He also serves as an American Red Cross Instructor, and has been a Girl Scout Leader and Trainer for 26 years. Jim is a member of Chamblee Masonic Lodge 444, Scottish Rite and Order of Eastern Star.
Rumor has it that Sue saved Jim from drowning during a swim test at camp in the late 1960'S and from that point on a great team was formed; they have been married for 34 years. They have three children, Kathryn, James and Peter. Both sons are Eagle Scouts and Kathryn earned the Gold Award in Girl Scouts. Their first grandchild, (and future Eagle Scout!) Christian, was born in 2005. .