Scouting Arizona is proud to recognize the recipients of two of Scouting’s most distinguished Alumni honors: the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award and the Council Distinguished Alumnus Award. These awards celebrate alumni whose leadership, service, and achievements reflect the values of Scouting while inspiring others in their communities and professions. Please join us in congratulating the outstanding 2025 honorees.
NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
Known by its acronym, the NOESA is approved by NESA’s national award committee through nomination by a local council NESA committee. The award is presented exclusively to Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated remarkable accomplishments beyond their Scouting experience by excelling in their careers or vocations at the local, regional, or national level. 2025 Recipients:
Alvan Adams, NOESA Recipient
“I believe the Scouting program builds character, develops initiative, fosters teamwork, teaches harmony with people and planet, allows for a wide variety of learning experiences, promotes goal setting, and grows leaders. My father was my Cubmaster, and I had the opportunity to be a leader for my son.”
Alvan Adams earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1967 with Troop 181 of the Last Frontier Council and went on to distinguish himself in academics, athletics, and service. A standout at University of Oklahoma, he was later selected fourth overall in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, where he spent 50 years as a player and executive. Adams earned NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star honors, had his jersey retired, and became a leader in the Phoenix community. He also founded the NBA’s 65 Roses Club to support cystic fibrosis research and credits Scouting with helping build character, leadership, teamwork, and lifelong values.
David Campbell, NOESA Recipient
“I loved every day of my Scouting experience and still have fond memories of many adventures and wilderness camps. I have four brothers and two sons who are Eagle Scouts. Scouting changed our lives, teaching us values, instilling discipline, requiring us to stretch, and expand our horizons. The world today needs Scouting values more than ever. I am grateful for all Scouting taught me.”
David Campbell earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1968 with Troop 238 of the Crossroads of the West Council. A graduate of the University of Utah, he went on to a distinguished legal career, clerking for U.S. Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist before being appointed by George W. Bush as a United States District Judge in 2003. Judge Campbell has led national efforts to improve federal court procedures, received the American Inns of Court Louis J. Powell Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics, and mentored law students and judges around the world. He credits Scouting with teaching values, discipline, perseverance, and leadership that continue to guide his life.
Mark Killian, NOESA Recipient
“Being a Scout has been an important part of my life and family. One of the great blessings of being an Eagle Scout is how people treated me throughout the years—they could tell I was an Eagle without being told. My duty to God is the most important duty I carry in my life.”
Mark Killian earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1969 with Troop 155 of the Grand Canyon Council and later served as a national Explorer Vice President, helping expand youth engagement in Scouting across the western United States. He went on to a distinguished career in public service, serving more than 14 years in the Arizona State Legislature, including as Speaker of the House and Majority Leader. Three governors later appointed him to lead the Arizona Department of Revenue, chair the Arizona Board of Regents, and direct the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Killian remains active in civic and community leadership and credits Scouting with shaping his character, faith, and lifelong commitment to service.
Ray Kimball, NOESA Recipient
“My Eagle Scout award helped me get into West Point, which changed my life forever. And I credit Scouting for being a constant source of support in my son’s life, especially in some difficult times. As a result of the impact Scouting had on my life, I owe Scouting a debt I can never repay. I have sought to repay that debt by volunteering in Scouting at all levels. Scouting’s values are timeless, even as Scouting itself evolves over time.”
Ray Kimball earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1990 with Troop 413 of the Hawk Mountain Council. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he later earned advanced degrees from Stanford University, Pepperdine University, and the U.S. Army War College. During his Army career, Kimball served in key national security and international assignments, including the White House, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa. After military service, he joined Arizona State University and founded 42 Educational Games Coaching and Design, helping educators adopt innovative teaching methods. He credits Scouting with shaping his life, opening the door to West Point, and inspiring his lifelong commitment to mentorship and service.
Jared Langkilde, NOESA Recipient
“Scouting means so much to me because it shaped my character, faith, and sense of community. From Cub Scouts through Eagle, the program taught me leadership through listening, resilience through the outdoors, and responsibility to the community. Watching and supporting my sons—Lincoln, Stetson, and Mason—earn their own Eagle ranks has been especially meaningful. Scouting connects generations, builds capable leaders, and strengthens families. I support Scouting because it forms young people of integrity who serve others, care for creation, lead with compassion, and are patriotic. Its promise to leave people and places better continues to guide my life and daily personal decisions as well.”
Jared Langkilde earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1990 with Troop 673 of the Grand Canyon Council. He holds degrees from Arizona State University, University of Phoenix, and Mesa Community College. After serving in leadership roles at Mesa Community College, he became president and CEO of the HonorHealth Foundation, where he has led nationally recognized efforts in fundraising, transparency, and community impact. Langkilde credits Scouting with shaping his character, faith, leadership, and commitment to service, values he continues to carry in his professional and family life.
Council Distinguished Alumnus Award
The Council Distinguished Alumnus Award is granted through recommendation of the local council’s Alumni Committee. This prestigious recognition honors alumni who demonstrate leadership and inspire others through their positive actions, accomplishments, and dedication to their profession, hobbies, community, and beliefs. It recognizes Scouting alumni who continue using the lessons and values learned through Scouting to make a meaningful difference in the world around them. 2025 Recipients:
Colin Campbell, Council Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
“I belonged to a troop in Tucson whose skill was fire by friction. We camped all over Southern Arizona. I left scouting for other activities and thought my time in Scouting was done. Then, years later, my oldest boy came home from first grade and wanted to do Cub Scouting. A parent follows their children. He made it to Boy Scouts; but the Scoutmaster retired his first year. I became the Scoutmaster for the next two years and saw a group of five boys all work their way to Eagle, along with others following them. My son is now a Commander in the Navy. A second son became an Eagle several years later. Anyone who says you cannot teach character has never been in Scouting. Like fire by friction, it can set a youth’s heart afire.”
Colin Campbell distinguished himself as a lawyer, judge, and community leader. A graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Arizona College of Law, he earned the highest honors and was later named an outstanding graduate. Campbell served 17 years on the Maricopa County Superior Court, including presiding criminal judge and presiding judge, overseeing one of the nation’s largest trial courts. He also held numerous leadership roles in Arizona legal and civic organizations. A dedicated Scouter, he received the St. George Emblem and Bronze Pelican Award for service to Catholic Scouting. Campbell credits Scouting with teaching character, leadership, and values that last a lifetime.
Kay Hauser, Council Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
“Scouting shaped, molded, and made my life better through leadership, training, and service opportunities but most of all through the friendships, mentoring, and examples of others.”
Kay Hauser has distinguished herself through decades of professional and community service in St. Johns. She served 42 years as the school district’s food service director, overseeing millions of meals for local students and families, while also operating her own catering business. Hauser has held numerous civic leadership roles in Apache County, including service on county commissions and more than eight years on the St. Johns City Council. Inducted into the Arizona Farm and Ranch Hall of Fame, she is also a lifelong supporter of Scouting, with all her sons and eight grandsons earning Eagle Scout honors. Hauser credits Scouting’s values of leadership, service, and character as guiding principles throughout her life.
Russ Jones, Council Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
“My passion for Scouting began when I joined Cub Scouts at age eight, and the values of the Scout Oath and Law were instilled early. Those Scouting values have continued to guide my life ever since.”
Russ Jones has built a distinguished career in public service, business, and community leadership. He served three terms in the Arizona State Legislature representing Legislative District 24, where he chaired the Agriculture and Water Committee and served on key budget committees. Jones is president and CEO of R.L. Jones, a customs brokerage and insurance business operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also served with numerous civic and trade organizations in Yuma and San Luis. A veteran of the United States Army and active member of the Civil Air Patrol, Jones credits Scouting with instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law that continue to guide his life.
Gary Vaughan, Council Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
“At the close of summer camp, a young Scout approached me and said, ‘Mr. Vaughn, I was afraid to come to camp. I was scared of the outdoors, and I didn’t believe in God. You taught me not to be afraid and that God really cared. I’m going home knowing God loves me and has blessed me with this wonderful world.’ Experiences like this are why I chose Scouting. Helping youth find their way on the trail to become tomorrow’s leaders drives me on. It’s not about chasing fame—it’s about carrying responsibility.”
Gary Vaughn has led a life of distinguished service to country and community. He served 27 years in the United States Marine Corps as an F/A-18 pilot, retiring as a Colonel after deployments around the world and receiving honors including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal. He later spent more than 20 years with Delta Air Lines as an international captain and chief pilot in Salt Lake City. Vaughn remains active in veterans’ service as Commander of the American Legion Department of Arizona. He credits Scouting with the opportunity to help young people grow in confidence, faith, and leadership.
Celebrating Excellence in Scouting Alumni
These honorees represent the very best of Scouting Arizona’s alumni network—individuals who continue to lead, serve, and uplift others long after their time in uniform. Their accomplishments are a testament to the lifelong values of character, citizenship, and service that Scouting helps build. Congratulations to all of the 2025 award recipients.
Dan Drake, the 2025 Scouting Arizona Alumnus of the Year, currently serves as Chair of the Council Alumni and NESA Association. On February 7, 2026, he had the privilege of presenting the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award and the Council Distinguished Alumnus Award at the Volunteer Recognition Event.
We invite you to join the Grand Canyon Council Alumni community. Whether you’re a former Scout, leader, family member, grandparent, or someone positively impacted by a Scouting service project, you are welcome to stay connected. Receive updates on upcoming events, reunions, and ways to engage at https://www.scoutingaz.org/join-scouting/alumni/
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