NASBLA News

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 17, 2026) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has named the regional recipients of the 2026 Pamela S. Dillon Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises Inc. The annual award recognizes boating safety professionals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to recreational boating safety through education, outreach and public engagement.

 

The 2026 regional recipients are:

 

 

Each regional recipient will now be considered for the national Pamela S. Dillon Educator of the Year Award, which will be announced during NASBLA’s 67th Annual Conference, Sept. 15–17, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

 

Gwendolynn “Wendy” Flynn of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Boating Division was selected as the 2026 Northern Region Educator of the Year. For more than two decades, Flynn has helped shape Connecticut’s boating safety landscape through a combination of education, outreach and environmental stewardship. She oversees statewide outreach events and boating education assistants while serving as a leading voice in aquatic invasive species education. An active contributor to numerous NASBLA programs and committees, Flynn has earned a reputation for building strong community partnerships and advancing safe, responsible boating throughout Connecticut. Learn more about Flynn’s career achievements.

 

Sgt. John Miller of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was named the 2026 Southern Region Educator of the Year for his longstanding commitment to boating safety education and public service. Since becoming a Wildlife Enforcement Agent in 2007, Miller has certified more boating safety students than any other agent in his region and has spent years serving as its lead boating education instructor. As regional coordinator, he oversees educational initiatives across northeastern Louisiana and regularly engages with local communities to promote safe practices on the water. His practical, hands-on approach to instruction has helped leave a lasting mark on boating safety efforts throughout the state. Find out more about Miller’s accomplishments.

 

Josh Hoffman of the Arizona Game and Fish Department was recognized as the 2026 Western Region Educator of the Year for his dedication to boating safety education, outreach and program development. During more than a decade with Arizona’s Boating Safety Education Program, Hoffman has been instrumental in expanding educational opportunities and strengthening partnerships that support safe recreational boating. From coordinating paddlesports and powerboat courses to implementing life jacket outreach initiatives and developing innovative public engagement programs, his work has helped reach boaters across Arizona. A Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) and active NASBLA volunteer, Hoffman continues to champion boating safety through collaboration, education and service. Read more about Hoffman’s achievements throughout his career.

 

Through thousands of hours of instruction, outreach and public engagement, these educators have helped advance recreational boating safety in their states and regions. Their leadership and dedication continue to strengthen boating safety programs while providing boaters with the knowledge and skills needed to make safer decisions on the water.

 

NASBLA congratulates Gwendolynn Flynn, John Miller and Josh Hoffman on being named the 2026 regional recipients of the Pamela S. Dillon Educator of the Year Award and looks forward to recognizing them during the 67th Annual NASBLA Conference.