Unit Service is at the heart of successful units. By creating partnerships with our unit leaders, Unit Coaches build meaningful, ongoing, and positive improvements to help strengthen our units in membership, program, volunteer leadership, planning and budgeting. They support the unit regularly and link unit needs to council recourses along with learning and growing through continuous unit service education. This year we recognize three awards for our volunteers in unit service; the Distinguished Commissioner Award; the Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service; and the Arrowhead Honor Award.
Distinguished Commissioner Award
The Distinguished Commissioner Award is the highest award for a Community Commissioner or Unit Coach for outstanding service that significantly benefits youth, units and the council. Having earned the Commissioner Key, the role of the Unit Coach and Community Commissioner is to actively support and engage with units to ensure their success in their program. They are strong leaders with the goal to serve as a friend, a guide, a mentor and a coach to the unit leaders, volunteers and committee members.
We wish to honor two individuals who received the distinguished commissioner award this past year.
Scott Gaddis, Distinguished Commissioner Award Recipient
“Scouting did a lot for me as a youth and helped me become the man I am today. I had an amazing scoutmaster (Steve Cranston) as a youth that was a father-like figure to me as I lost my dad when I was 8. Steve passed away in 2020 and my scouting service today is giving back in memory of Steve for all he did for me and countless other youth. I am passionate about my role in scouting and working with our youth today.”
Scott Gaddis is an Eagle Scout, lives in Gilbert, and has been involved in Scouting for 48 years. His primary Scouting role is Lodge Advisor for Wipala Wiki Lodge and he just completed 5 years as District Commissioner for Lost Dutchman and Community Commissioner for Gilbert/Higley.
Scott has received the District Award of Merit, Commissioner’s Key, and the Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service.
As Scott puts it, “Scouting did a lot for me as a youth and helped me become the man I am today. I had an amazing scoutmaster (Steve Cranston) as a youth that was a father-like figure to me as I lost my dad when I was 8. Steve passed away in 2020 and my scouting service today is giving back in memory of Steve for all he did for me and countless other youth. I am passionate about my role in scouting and working with our youth today.”
Congratulations, Scott!
Donald W. Morris, Distinguished Commissioner Award Recipient
“As a father of 10, including five Eagle Scouts, guiding youth has become my life’s focus. Scouting had helped me personally develop into a man of character, and I want to pass that along to the follow-on generations.” ult friends that share those common values.”
Donald W. Morris has lived in Flagstaff for 12 years. He has been involved in Scouting for 28 years in seven different councils. His primary Scouting roles are as Unit Coach for Crew 1876, and Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 7039. His significant service to youth and Unit Service in Scouting includes:
- Asia West District Committee Chairman, Far East Council
- Pack 7136 Pack Committee Chairman, Grand Canyon Council
- Community Commissioner for Flagstaff -Williams-Page, Grand Canyon Council.
Don has received the District Award of Merit and the Order of the Arrow, Vigil Honor
“As a father of 10, including five Eagle Scouts, guiding youth has become my life’s focus. Scouting had helped me personally develop into a man of character, and I want to pass that along to the follow-on generations.”
Scouting has provided the opportunity for countless youth with whom Donald has worked to gain skills, knowledge, and the ability to lead successful, meaningful lives. Donald is confident that those youth will in turn help prepare others for life.
Congratulations, Donald!
Thank you, Scott and Donald, for your service and dedication to each unit and to the unit coaches you serve to ensure that each unit knows you care, are always there, giving guidance and support as their friend so they can be successful as Scout leaders.
Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service
The Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service is awarded to a Unit Coach or Community Commissioner who provides exemplary service to a unit assigned by the Community Commissioner and meets specific criteria for at least one year. They collaborate often with their unit leaders and create meaningful relationships, consistently exemplifying the commissioner culture statement, “Be the Heart-Build Relationships-Change Lives” as they regularly work alongside their units. Their service, support and dedication leads to productive, growing and successful units and having tons of fun!
For 2025 we are pleased to present this award to 5 outstanding Unit Service Coaches and Community Commissioners.
Russ Gilbert, Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service Recipient
“In 2002 I was honored to begin my serve as a Unit Commissioner, a position I take with great seriousness. I believe in performing my job with the same vigor as past unit commissioners who served the units I was privileged to lead. Being a Unit Coach is a privilege. Earning the units respect that I service is always on my mind at every meeting I attend. It is my responsibility to my units I serve is to do what I say I’m going to do when it comes to helping them. This is the greatest way to respect them.”
Russ Gilbert lives in Flagstaff and has been involved in Scouting for 20 years. His primary role is serving as a Unit Coach for Packs 7142, 7140, & 7112 and Troop 9140 for Girls.
Russ’s contribution to Scouting over many years represents a very wide range of leadership and director areas including, more recently, Merit Badge Counselor – Photography, Aquatics Director since 2008, Eagle Scout Board of Review Member for the past 5 years and Northern Tier Crew Advisor (Atikokan-Canada) in 2025, in addition to Roundtable Trainer, Wood Badge and BALOO staff and many others.
Russ has received numerous awards over the years including the Cubmaster Award, OA Brotherhood, District Award of Merit and the Arrowhead Award.
Russ states, “In 2002 I was honored to begin my serve as a Unit Commissioner, a position I take with great seriousness. I believe in performing my job with the same vigor as past unit commissioners who served the units I was privileged to lead. Being a Unit Coach is a privilege. Earning the units respect that I service is always on my mind at every meeting I attend. It is my responsibility to my units I serve is to do what I say I’m going to do when it comes to helping them. This is the greatest way to respect them.”
Congratulations, Russ!
Gil Lau, Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service Recipient
"Scouting is meaningful to me because it provides a place of belonging. It allows youth from all backgrounds and situations to bond with their peers in a supportive and understanding environment. The program challenges them to grow and learn responsibility, and to better themselves for the sake of others. Most importantly, it’s FUN!”
Gil Lau lives in Cave Creek and has been an adult volunteer for 17 years. His primary Scouting roles are Community Commissioner for the Cave Creek area and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 15.
Gil’s significant service to youth in Scouting includes District Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner; serving as NYLT Course Director; and starting Troop 3015 for Girls. He has received the following honors: Silver Beaver, District Award of Merit, Unit Leader Award of Merit, and the Willam D. Boyce Award.
According to Gil, “Scouting is meaningful to me because it provides a place of belonging. It allows youth from all backgrounds and situations to bond with their peers in a supportive and understanding environment. The program challenges them to grow and learn responsibility, and to better themselves for the sake of others. Most importantly, it’s FUN!”
Congratulations Gil!
Jess Rankin, Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service Recipient
“Scouting has the power to change lives, and through this service, there is hope that stronger communities have been built and a better future for our country has been supported.”
Jess Rankin serves as the COR for Pack 531 & Troop 531 in North Phoenix. He has previously served as the Service Area Commissioner for Unit Coaching, the Camp Director for R-BOO-C, the Scoutmaster of Troop 531 and the Cubmaster of Pack 531.
Jess has received the District Award of Merit twice, the Meritorious Service Star and Silver Beaver Award.
Jess believes that “Scouting has the power to change lives, and he hopes that through his service he has helped build stronger communities and a better future for our country.”
Congratulations, Jess!
Kevin Reeve, Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service Recipient
“My focus is to help strengthen youth through unit service and to support our leaders by introducing them to the many skills that can be utilized in life, leading to their own passions and interests.”
Kevin Reeve is an Eagle Scout, lives in Laveen, and has been involved with Scouting as an adult volunteer for over 20 years. Kevin currently serves as an Area Commissioner, guiding Community Commissioners and Unit Coaches to ensure our Units are effectively served. Honors received include the District Award of Merit, the Meritorious Service Star and the Silver Beaver Award.
As a dedicated volunteer within the Scouting organization, according to Kevin, “My focus is to help strengthen youth through unit service and to support our leaders by introducing them to the many skills that can be utilized in life, leading to their own passions and interests.”
Kevin has 2 grandchildren that will soon be Cub Scout age. He enjoys hiking, traveling, and doing anything outdoors.
Congratulations, Kevin!
Allen Rose, Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service Recipient
"Scouting taught me many life skills that helped me be a better father and boss. For me, unit service comes from that part of the Oath where we promise: “To help other people at all times”! Thus, in Scouting we care about and look out for each other. We commissioners have the privilege of encouraging our unit leaders and unit families to have fun in Scouting.”
Allen Rose is a Unit Coach living in Cave Creek. He is an Eagle Scout, Vigil in the Order of the Arrow, and has earned the Arrowhead Honor. Allen has been involved in Scouting off and on for 61 years. He was a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 131 in Scottsdale for 9 years. Allen’s primary Scouting role is Unit Commissioner (Unit Coach) for packs and troops.
Allen is a retired Senior Manager of Research & Development at the General Electric Digital Instrument Transformers factory. He has a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Arkansas and has published 112 papers and granted 4 patents.
This past fall Allen had the opportunity to volunteer at Cubtopia and at the Fall OA Workday at the Heard Scout Pueblo camp. He is currently working with a new pack in Scottsdale, meeting with them weekly to answer any questions and provide any support they might need. He meets monthly with his assigned pack and troop in Cave Creek and participates in Eagle and service projects with the troop. Last summer Allen was able to visit his troop at Camp Geronimo in the summer and attended the 2025 Philmont Commissioner Training week and volunteered to be a Philmont Ambassador.
Allen says “Scouting taught me many life skills that helped me be a better father and boss. For me, unit service comes from that part of the Oath where we promise: “To help other people at all times”! Thus, in Scouting we care about and look out for each other. We commissioners have the privilege of encouraging our unit leaders and unit families to have fun in Scouting.”
Congratulations, Allen!
Arrowhead Honor Award
The Arrowhead Honor Award is a Scouting America recognition for Community Commissioners and Unit Coaches who demonstrate proficiency in unit service, typically earned within one year of service. It requires current youth protection training, position-specific training, and active support of units, such as conducting regular visits, using Connection Tools, and Unit Service Worksheets to log support, help units set goals, and achieve program success. The Arrowhead Award is a key step on the pathway to successful units and program excellence.
In 2025, we increased our pool of Unit Coaches and Community Commissioners and are pleased to recognize 19 Unit Service volunteers who earned their Arrowhead Award:
- Trisha Bergman
- Jaime Mueller
- Dilworth Brinton, Jr.
- Dan Drake
- Scott Gaddis
- Eric Jones
- Ross Lemire
- Gary Lenzi
- Allen Rose
- Beth Poor
- Jack Stieg
- John McLellan
- Thomas Collins
- Cheryl McNeil
- Ed Cole
- Paul Ceonzo
- Kevin Reeve
- April Reeve
- Stacey Haggart
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