The Volunteer of the Year Award, first presented in 2009, recognizes individuals who have made significant volunteer contributions to PSM. It honors individuals who do the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the organization functioning on a day-to-day basis.
Our 2019 Volunteer of the Year Is…
Janice Ridgway! This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award goes to someone who has been working behind the scenes as PSM’s Treasurer for over 9 years!
Janice has been a professional CPA since 1966 and became involved in PSM when she and husband Johnnie met Roger Ottenbach at Cuttysark Nautical Antiques. Johnnie, now renowned for his incredible ship models, had been in the Navy during WWII and Janice always had an interest in military history, particularly in the U.S. and British Navies. After having travelled extensively around the world and seeing countless maritime museums from Bath, Maine to Valparaiso, Chile and Astoria, Oregon to Shanghai, China, PSM seemed a natural fit.
Johnnie joined the Board of Governors first, and when the job of Treasurer opened up, he volunteered Janice’s services. Having years of experience as a mortgage broker and CPA, Janice has kept our finances wonderfully for us since 2010! She enjoys learning about maritime history from all of our vastly knowledgeable Board members, volunteers, and Sea Chest authors.
In the past couple of years, Janice has expanded her role to helping PSM complete the first of a non-profit betterment program called StEPs (Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations), which allowed us to better understand the organization and re-shape our mission, vision, and governance. In the past year she has also begun helping with our 4Culture grants, as well as searching for any foundations whose giving plan aligns with our mission. Many thanks Janice!
Previous Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients:
- 2009 – Pat Hartle
- 2010 – Carol Greene
- 2011 – John Kelly
- 2012 – Judy Kebbekus
- 2013 – Karl House
- 2014 – Dick Vanderpool
- 2015 – Paul Marlow
- 2016 – Joe Baar
- 2017 – Geoff Braden
- 2018 – Russ McComb
