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New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association

Dedicated to Advancing Addiction Professionals in New Hampshire

Annual Awards



The following awards are presented annually at the NHADACA Annual Meeting.

The award recipients are nominated by the NHADACA membership and selected within the following criteria.

Counselor of the Year Award:

The Counselor of the Year is  employed as an addiction counseling professional for not less than three years. This person works with clients/patients for a sustained period with individual or group contact to foster recovery from addictive disorders. This person demonstrates to the satisfaction of his/her peers, full compliance and support of the NAADAC Code of Ethics. Additionally, the following areas of competence and skill should be used to identify candidates for this award. The recipient demonstrates outstanding performance in some or all of the following competence areas: assessment, treatment planning, case management, communications, administrative skills, individual/group/family counseling, referral, professional relationships and professional integrity.


Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award: 

Thomas McTague died in 1996 and the award was created in his honor in 1998. Dr. McTague was chosen because he approached the substance use profession as a "calling" more so than a job. He was militant about ethics and ethical practice. He strongly believed in integrity, honesty, trust, compassion, tolerance and caring. He ran the substance use program at the NH Technical Institute and some would say he was NHTI. He was a power of example, mentor, teacher and cheerleader. The role he played inspired young people to come into the profession when much of the profession was aging. For more information on Thomas McTague, please click here. 

The recipient of this award has a minimum of 15 years in the addiction counseling profession or administration. This person is making or has made a sustained and significant contribution to the advancement of addiction counseling. 

Lifetime Advocacy Award:

The recipient of this award has worked a minimum of 15 years in the addiction counseling profession or administration. He/She possesses a strong dedication to the addiction profession as demonstrated by his/her involvement in, and commitment to, a variety of key organizations.

Legislative Advocacy Award:

The recipient of this award is currently a member in good standing of the Association and has demonstrated ongoing advocacy for issues related to the profession and or the public who may benefit from the services of the professional addiction counselor. This work may be related to protecting the rights of the client, advocating for improved access to treatment or establishing public standards of care. He/She has kept the members of the association informed on current legislative events as well as led the association in establishing a public voice in appropriate issues of concern.

Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award:

This award is made to a NH legislator or Policymaker who has made a visible or measurable contribution to support the workforce development of the addiction profession or has supported the public’s need for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services through advocacy. More information coming soon.

President’s Award:

The President’s Award is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of an individual or group to the addiction profession. It is presented to an individual, institution, or corporation in recognition of a long and continued commitment. It reflects the Association’s appreciation for their support of the addiction profession. The recipient is identified by the President with the Executive Committee confirming the selection. There is no requirement to present this award each year and no limit to the number of recipients in a given year. Unlike other awards, this award is given at the discretion of the President, who determines the purpose and requirements of the award. It is recommended that it be given based on achieved merits as they apply to the support or professional development of the recipient and his/her contributions to the addiction profession.

NHADACA Award Recipients
2025-2021
2022:
  • Counselor of the Year Award - Ella Driscoll
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award - Niki Miller
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award - Suzanne Thistle
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award - Congresswoman Annie McLane Kuster
  • President's Award - Alexandra Hamel
2021:
  • Counselor of the Year Award - Jason Snook and Jennifer Parker
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award - Monica Edgar
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award - Jacqui Abikoff
  • Legislative Advocacy Award - Dianne Castrucci
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award - Exexutive Counselor Joseph Kenney
  • President's Award - Paula Nadeu Booth
2020-2016
2020:
  • Counselor of the Year Award - William "Bill" Demars
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award - Peter DalPra
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award - Judge James Carroll
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award - Senator Jeb Bradley
  • President's Award - All front-line substance use professionals
2019:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Meredith Hamel Blom
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Leo Leger
  • President’s Award - NH Recovery Friendly Workplaces
2018:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Chelsey Lemke
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Nicholas Pfiefer
  • President’s Award - Sharon Drake
2017:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Jill Burns
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Ray McGarty
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award- Al Matkowsky
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Suzann Thistle
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Senator Jeanne Shaheen
  • President’s Awards – Cheryl Wilkie
2016:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Amy Kelley
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Chester Annis
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Honorable Tina Nadeau
  • President’s Awards – Peter Evers
2015-2011
2015:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Nancy Nemcovich
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Constance McGraw
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Meredith Hamel
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Molly Kelly
  • President’s Awards – Abby Shockley
2014:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Barry Timmerman
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Elaine Davis
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Annette Escalante
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Charles Bussison
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Rep. Bill Butinsky
  • President’s Awards – Merwyn McTague
2013:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Reggie Champigny
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award- David Parisi
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Jacqui Abikoff
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Peter DalPra
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Governor Hassan
  • President’s Award – Jacqui Abikoff
2012:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Corey Gately
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Amy Pepin
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Susan Latham
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Peter DalPra
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Sharon Carson, District 14
  • President’s Award – Mary Dube and Rosemary Shannon
2011:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Fred Daggett
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Suzann Caldon
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Joseph Kilcullen
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Charlotte Houde Quimby
  • President’s Award – Lisa Peakes
2010-2006
2010:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Dawn Tonkin
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Dianne Pepin
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Lindy Keller
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Jacqui Abikoff
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Carol Shea-Porter
  • President’s Award – Denise Devlin
2009:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Bob Dorley
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Lindsay Freese and posthumously to Steve Kenny
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Peter DalPra
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Jacqui Abikoff
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Laurie Harding
  • President’s Award – Tricia Lucas
2008:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Paula Briggs
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Charles Bussison
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Patricia Dutton
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Faces and Voices of Recovery
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Ricia McMahon
  • President’s Award – Suzann Caldon
2007:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Pat Tucker
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Rosemary Shannon
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Peter DalPra
  • Kathleen Taylor Legislator Award – Suzanne Harvey
  • President’s Award – Lindsay Freese and Dianne Pepin
2006:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Tim Comings
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Pat Dutton and Jacqui Abikoff
  • Lifetime Advocacy Award – Denise Devlin
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Jacqui Abikoff
  • President’s Award – Raymond McGarty
2005-2001
2005:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Janice Watson
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Dan Lennon and Estelle Accalia
  • Legislator Special Friends of Recovery Award – Kathleen Taylor
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Peter Petulla
  • President’s Award to Barry Timmerman
2004:
  • Counselor of the Year Award- Kathleen Dumont
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Mary Dube and posthumously to William Lovett
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Mayor Bob Baines and Jacqui Abikoff
2003:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Joseph Kilcullen
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Thomas Kenney
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Dover Youth to Youth
  • President’s Award – Amelie Gooding

  • 2002:
    • Counselor of the Year Award – John Colby
    • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Michael Torch
    • Legislative Advocacy Award – Jon Hunt, Martha Fuller Clark and FOR-NH
    2001:
    • Counselor of the Year Award – Lynne Towle
    • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – David Parisi and Peter Swenson
    • Legislative Advocacy Award – Rep Kathleen Taylor, Sen. Katie Wheeler and Sen. Lou D’Allesandro
    • President’s Award – Merwyn McTague
    2000-1998
    2000:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Melanie Otis
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – John Ciaramella
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Rep. William Leber and Sen. Ned Gordon
  • President’s Award – Don Boucher

  • 1999:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Regis Lemire
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Regis McNulty
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Bill Butynski
  • President’s Award – Tom Kinney

  • 1998:
  • Counselor of the Year Award – Janice Manwaring
  • Thomas McTague Lifetime Achievement Award – Marcel Duclos
  • Legislative Advocacy Award – Senator Judd Gregg
  • President’s Award – Laurel Buccino

  • Information on file is incomplete prior to 1998.

    If you, or someone you know, received an award between 1986 and 1998, please let us know so that we may officially acknowledge it.

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