Awards

J. W. Findley Lifetime Achievement Award
 

The J. W. Findley Lifetime Achievement Award was named after the organizer of the inaugural MLBC meeting held on July 17, 1959, and the organization’s first President. The award is the highest and most distinguished honor of our association. The award was established to recognize an MLBC member who has demonstrated excellence and integrity in contributing to our association and our profession.
2026       Richard Dailey
2025       Bruce Turner 
2024       Steve and Cindy Perdue
2023       Asa Bowers
2022       Darryl Griwatz, CPL
2021       Douglas Richards 
2020       Cecil Ray
2019       James Talkington
2018       Greg Zerkel 
2017       Judson K. Byrd, CPL
2016       Richard K. Elswick, CPL  
2015       Arnold L. Schulberg, Esq., CPL

MLBC Landman of the Year

The Landman of the Year Award was created to recognize an MLBC member who has demonstrated outstanding Leadership & Integrity and for their Contributions to our Association, our Profession and to the Community.

2026       Seth Jarvis
2025       Aaron Yost 
2024       Robert Greiner
2023       Britney Crookshanks, CPL
2022       Tyler Murray 
2021       Dave Stockman
2020       Rhonda Shannon
2019       Bruce Turner
2018       Christa A. Dotson, Esq., RPL

Friend of MLBC Award

The Friend of MLBC Award is intended to recognize a company or individual that has made significant contributions to the betterment of the MLBC in any way deemed worthy of recognition.

2026       Infinity Natural Resources
2025       Daniel Cooper 
2024       Marietta College Energy and Land Program
2023       Ten Mile Land, LLC
2022       Halo Land Management 
2021       Lenington, Gratton and Associates LLP 
2020       Cabot Oil and Gas
2019       Percheron 
2018       Babst Calland 
2017       Honor Resources
2016       EQT Corporation
2015       Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC
 

Best Member Communication
 

The award for Best Member Communication was established to recognize the best single communication by an MLBC member during the prior calendar year. The communication may be to the MLBC, to AAPL, or to the industry but must pertain to the land profession. The individual must be a member of MLBC for his or her entry to be considered.

2026        Jeremy White- April 2025 AAPL Director's Report of the Wildcatter
2025        John Catsonis- "A Few Good Landmen" 
2024        Nik Tysiak- Contributions to the Wildcatter 
2023        Justin Nixon, Esq., CPL "Proper Planning Prevents...Well, you know the rest"- The Wildcatter, Oct 2022
2022        Robert Greiner, RPL- "What is Purpose"- The Wildcatter October 2021
2021        Nikolas Tysiak-Legislative and Regulatory Update- The Wildcatter, Volume 2, Issue 2
2020       Jeremy White- Black Clouds, Silver Linings and Guatemalans-The Wildcatter, Volume 1, Issue 2  
2019       Kelly O'Bryan da Mota
2018       Britany Crookshanks, RPL Landmen & Relationships 

2017       Jeremy Preston, RPL for "Message in a Bag"
               (Takeoff Newsletter, October 2016)

2016       Paula Fleming, CPL for “Ethics – What’s For Dinner?” 
               (Takeoff Newsletter, December 2015) 
 

2015       Douglas Richards, CPL for “Ethics – The Cornerstone of Professionalism”
               (Takeoff Newsletter, April 2014)