Wednesday, November 8, 2017
The New York State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust awarded its 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award for the Protection of Archives or Cultural Collections in New York State to Rick Lord, Chief of Mitigation Programs for the New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, for his commitment to the protection of cultural heritage collections in New York and nationwide. The award was presented to Mr. Lord at a ceremony at the Cultural Education Center in Albany recently.
Through his efforts, Rick Lord has increased public understanding of the role of first responders in natural and human-made disasters, advocated for the role of collection stewards in disaster planning and response, and educated numerous first responders about the diversity and unique needs of documentary heritage collections. Additionally, Mr. Lord has been indispensable to those individuals and organizations in need through helping them navigate the complex systems of federal disaster-relief funding.
Mr. Lord serves on the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, which is responsible for providing leadership to public and private disaster-response agencies. Mr. Lord is also a founding member of the New York Capital Region Alliance for Response, where he gives generously of his expertise, time, and personal and professional commitment to the organization’s mission to bridge the region’s cultural heritage and emergency management communities.
“We’re proud to present the Archives Awards to recognize and celebrate individuals, organizations, and students who have done exceptional work in preserving and promoting New York’s history,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “We congratulate all the winners on their achievements and urge them to continue maintaining and researching historical records that document our heritage.”
“The Annual Archives Awards is an opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work that organizations and individuals do every day to maintain and preserve historical records,” said Regent Roger Tilles. “We’re also honored to acknowledge the exceptional work students across the state have done to incorporate archival records in their research and bring New York State’s history to life. Congratulations to all the winners."
“The Board of Regents and I congratulate the winners of the 2017 Archives Awards,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “We’re proud to honor exemplary maintenance and use of archival records so our history is preserved for future generations. We applaud the student winners for their outstanding use of historical records in their research and encourage them to continue to explore New York’s rich history at archives, libraries and cultural institutions across the state.”
“Rick’s personality is his hallmark. Every time he speaks, whether from the podium, in a committee meeting, or one-on-one, you know he is deeply engaged through his warmth, sense of humor, and compassion – exactly the reassuring presence you need in a disaster situation. We are pleased and honored to recognize Rick Lord for his contributions to the protection of cultural collections and historic properties, and the education of collection stewards and first responders alike,” said State Archivist Thomas J. Ruller.
The annual Archives Awards program takes place every October, during American Archives Month, and recognizes outstanding efforts in archives and records management work in New York State by a broad range of individuals and organizations.
A complete list of this year’s award winners follows:
* Cheryl Steinbach Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Records Management:
Town of Livonia
* William H. Kelly Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Archival Program Development:
Warren County Records Storage Center and Archives
* Annual Archives Award for Excellence in State Agency Records Management Program Development:
NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
* Annual Archives Award for Program Excellence in a Historical Records Repository:
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
* Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of the State Archives:
Sarah F. Rose, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Disability Studies Minor, University of Texas at Arlington
* Lifetime Achievement Award for the Protection of Archives or Cultural Collections in New York State:
Richard Lord, Chief of Mitigation Programs and State Hazard Mitigation Officer, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
* Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 9-12:
The following students from Tamarac High School, Brunswick Central School District:
o Sara Kuken
o Ryan Hayden
o Nate LaPlante
o Elizabeth Machnick
o Kaylan Comache
o Katherine Champagne
o Lillah Jacobson-Schultz
o Sophia Baldwin
o Anthony Styles
o Lexis Carista
o Shannon Walsh
o Hunter Yearsley
o Renna Poulin
Teachers: Michelle Furlong, Steve Pomposello and Mark Spitzer
* Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 6-8:
The following student from The Wheatley School, East Williston Union Free School District:
o Manav Bansal
Teacher: JoBeth Roberts
* Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 4 & 5:
The following students from Drexel Avenue Elementary School, Westbury Union Free School District:
o Ryan Alvarez
o Alexander Munguia
Teacher: Patricia Matarazzo
