Recognizing Scouters who go above and beyond in service, leadership, and dedication across our council.
Award of Merit—Whether it’s leading or supporting a camporee, participating on Eagle Boards on the Advancement Committee, coordinating, directing and leading a Wood badge, a BALOO or an IOLS or EDGE training course, chairing an annual event like Holiday at the Heard, or coordinating the annual Veteran’s Day parade, these individuals have demonstrated their extensive commitment with exceptional service and leadership within the council to serve in a variety of ways. This award is typically a Scouter’s first council honor if they are not a unit leader. Join us in applauding Troy Joseph Aliff, Jason Bowles, Tom Collins, Tamara Dowd, Scott Gaddis, Diane M. Gebhardt, Robert Allan Gibbs, Bruce Gustin, Stacey Haggart, Mark Price, and Robert “Mitch” Tate for their exceptional dedication!
TJ Aliff, of Prescott Valley, AZ. TJ is a father of 4, all involved in Scouting. He has been involved in the BSA as both a youth and as an adult. He was a member of Troop 98 out of El Mirage as a youth in the mid-90s and returned as a Den leader in 2014. More recently he has spent the last decade as an adult leader for Pack and Troop 7330. Currently, he is the Committee Chair for the Pack and two Troops. In 2018, he attended Wood badge and subsequently earned his beads. TJ played a role in the inclusion of girls in the Pack as well as becoming a Founder and ASM of the all-girl Troop, 9330. Mentoring youths over a longer period, TJ enjoys seeing many of the kids he met as Lions and Tigers begin working on their Eagle Projects. “I have fun and get to help mentor dozens of great kids who will have their own impacts in our world, I give it 5 stars! Wearing many hats, TJ was a Den Leader, a Cubmaster, ASM, and the Committee Chair for the combined Unit Committee.
Jason Bowles, a Phoenix native, father of five, and 19-year husband, is a 24-year commercial real estate veteran and dedicated community leader. With over a decade of Scouting service, he fostered growth and teamwork as Cubmaster and Scoutmaster for Pack and Troop 340, inspiring future leaders and building character. Additionally, Jason has served as the Central/Metro Community Committee Chair for the past two years, collaborating with the Eagle Board of Review Committee to support aspiring Eagle Scouts. His dedication to Scouting has been recognized through honors such as the Scouter’s Key, Scouter’s Training Award, Unit Leader Award of Merit, Den Leader Award, and the Religious Knot. He is also a proud member of the Order of the Arrow. Beyond Scouting, Jason actively contributes to his community through Saint Thomas the Apostle and various service initiatives, reflecting his commitment to meaningful impact and leadership.
Tom Collins, an Eagle Scout from north Phoenix, has been involved in Scouting for many years. He currently serves as Council Chair of the Unit Coaching Team and Board Member and is also an Assistant Scoutmaster and Advancement Chair. Tom has held several leadership roles, including Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and District Chair. He’s proud of his experiences with his sons, including earning the High Adventure Triple Crown and becoming a brother in The Order of the Arrow. Tom has received numerous awards, including the Cubmaster Award, and Cub Scout Den Leader Award Scouter’s Key and District Award of Merit. He enjoys watching a shy, young child grow into a kind, caring, and good leader as sees how Scouting is transformative for youth.
Tamara (Tammy) Dowd lives in Cave Creek, a Girl Scout growing up, a Girl Scout Leader, Venturing Crew Advisor and Associate, and in the Venturing Officers Association Area 6. She currently serves as Scoutmaster for Troop 3015 and Venturing Committee Chair for Crew 1910. Tammy believes that giving youth opportunities they might not get without scouting teaches them the life skills to make a difference. Tammy has received the District Award of Merit, Unit Leader of Merit, and Scoutmaster Key. Scouting is meaningful to Tammy because she enjoys seeing growth in the youth as they work the program. She says, “whether they are in it for rank advancement or just being there for making friends and filling their time with adventures, it makes my heart smile when the youth try new things, get out of their comfort zone and grow.”
Scott Gaddis, an Eagle Scout, lives in Gilbert and has been involved with Scouting for 47 years. His two current roles are Community Commissioner (Gilbert/Higley) and Associate Lodge Advisor, of the Wipala Wiki Lodge. Scott’s service to youth includes Unit Service within his community and advising youth leadership positions with the OA. Outside of Scouting, Scott coaches youth football and volunteers at his local schools. He has received the Commissioners Key, Scouter’s Training Award, and the Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service. For Scott, Scouting is meaningful because Scouting did a lot for him in his youth and helped shape the man he is today. Being an adult leader in scouting lets him give back to the program that did so much for him as a youth.
Diane Gebhardt is the Summer Camp Coordinator for Troop 526 in Glendale. She has been involved in Scouting for 17 years. From Super Sidewinders at Greenbrier Elementary to Band Booster to State Farm Stadium-giving back to my community has played a big part of her life! She has received the James E. West Award and Vigil Honor. As a scout parent and leader, Diane has had the honor to watch our youth become the young men they were meant to be. For her, the personal growth they experience is amazing to behold!
Rob Gibbs from Mesa has been involved in Scouting all his life. As Scoutmaster of Troop 653, Rob help Scouts develop confidence, self-reliance, and personal responsibility. To that end, he has led Scouts on trips to National Jamboree, Philmont, Sea Base, and the Grand Canyon. Rob has also received the Unit Leader Award of Merit and is passionate about Scouting because it can be transformative, teaching life skills like teamwork, communication, and relationship building.
Bruce Gustin, from Prescott, has been a Scouter since his son was a Tiger Cub in 1992. He’s served as Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Member, Merit Badge Counselor, received many Mentor pins, the James E. West Bronze Fellowship Award, & District Award of Merit from Minsi Trails Council Troop 585. Bruce attended Wood Badge in Allentown, PA in 2005, and has received numerous BSA certifications. He was past president of Lehigh Valley Green Builders Association, LV Professional Land Surveyors, & cycled Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer for 7 years. He was Past President, Vice President, Treasurer, Committee member of his HOA. Scouting is meaningful to Bruce because he feels giving back helps the youth and has helped him be a stronger community leader.
Stacey Haggart, a Prescott resident, has been involved in Scouting for five years. Her husband and sons are Eagle Scouts. She serves as the Community Commissioner, Troop 7007 Committee Chair, and is on the Grand Canyon Council Board. Stacey mentors Scouts during their Eagle process, serves as a Merit Badge Counselor, and coaches leaders. She also contributes to her community as an Executive Board member of the Prescott Unified School District Education Foundation, the James Family YMCA, and as a former PTO President. She values Scouting’s impact on society and the world and with each Scout.
Mark Price, from Peoria, has been involved in Scouting for 11 years. He serves as Scoutmaster of Troop 828 and chairs BSA Training for the Grand Canyon Council. Mark is active in Wood Badge, serves on the NYLT Advisory Committee, and will be Course Director for NYLT at Camp Geronimo in May 2025. He supports Scouts in their Eagle projects and leadership development. Mark has received honors including the Award of Merit, staffing NYLT and Wood Badge, Scouters Training, Den Leader Training, Webelos Den Leader and Tiger Den Leader. Mark values Scouting for its role in shaping future leaders, both youth and adults.
Mitch Tate, an Eagle Scout with over 20 years in Scouting, serves as Scoutmaster for Troop 513, Council National and International Events Chair, and leads the 2026 National Jamboree Council committee. Mitch was the Scoutmaster for one of the two Council Troops attending the 2023 National Jamboree. Partnering with Midwestern University, Mitch has helped nearly 50 Scouts earn the Personal Fitness MB over the last 3 years. Scouting inspires him to guide youth toward becoming moral, thoughtful citizens through the Scout Oath and Law.
