NAPE Awards Recipients

As part of its mission, the National Association of Probation Executives provides recognition to individuals who have made significant contributions to the community corrections profession.

2025 Award Nominations are Open

All award nominations must be received by the NAPE Secretariat by June 2, 2025.

Sam Houston State University Probation Executive of the Year Award

Since 1989, the National Association of Probation Executives and the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center at Sam Houston State University have recognized the Probation Executive of the Year by presenting the recipient the Sam Houston State University Award.

This award, the Association's oldest and highest honor, has been presented to the following probation executives:

Dan Richard Beto Award

This discretionary award, presented for the first time in 2005, is presented by the President of the Association in recognition of distinguished and sustained service to the probation profession. It is named after Dan Richard Beto, who served the Association as Secretary, Vice President, President, and Executive Director.

Recipients of this award include:

George M. Keiser Award for Exceptional Leadership

This award is given in honor of George M. Keiser, the former Chief of the Prisons and Community Corrections Divisions of the National Institute of Corrections and a career corrections professional.

This award, first presented in 2001, has been given to the following corrections professional who has demonstrated leadership qualities:

Arthur Neu Award for Exceptional Policy Development

This award is presented jointly by the National Association of Probation Executives and the Community Improvement Association of Iowa. It is given in honor of Arthur Neu, former Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, who was active in the areas of education and corrections.

This award, first presented in 2002, has been given to the following individuals who have influenced public policy:

William Faches Award for Exceptional Community Service

First presented in 2002, this award is given by the National Association of Probation Executives and the Community Corrections Improvement Association of Iowa in honor of William Faches, the founder of the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This award is presented to recognize a volunteer, a member of a board of directors or advisory board, or an individual who has significantly impacted community corrections through community service.

Past recipients include: