Previous TZD Star Awards Winners
See 2011 TZD Star Award Winners
2010
Enforcement: Joel Scharf
The recipient of this year’s Star Award in Enforcement is Moorhead Police Department Lieutenant Joel Scharf. Joel’s vast leadership responsibilities include work as the assistant commander for the Red River Valley SWAT Team, coordinator of Clay County’s Safe and Sober program, and vice chairman of the Safe Communities Coalition of the Red River Valley. In these and other roles, Joel works to maintain high team standards while emphasizing the importance of traffic enforcement efforts. He is also a leader in underage alcohol enforcement and education, as demonstrated by his work to bring alcohol awareness programs to Moorhead Public Schools and the area’s higher education institutions.
Emergency Medical & Trauma Services: J. Kevin Croston
This year’s Star Award recipient in Emergency Medical and Trauma Services is Dr. J. Kevin Croston, chief medical officer and director of trauma services at North Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Croston has been instrumental in creating the State Trauma System established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2005. As chair of the Trauma System Planning Subcommittee (2002–2005) and chair of the State Trauma Advisory Council (2005–May 2010), Dr. Croston helped develop and implement a system that now boasts 101 trauma-designated hospitals. Throughout his years of effort on this project, Dr. Croston provided leadership in bringing together multiple stakeholders and including all perspectives, especially those of rural trauma care providers.
Education: Dan Schoonhoven
Moorhead Fire Department firefighter Dan Schoonhoven is this year’s Star Award recipient in Education. Dan’s lifelong passion for traffic safety led him to develop a signature seat belt talk more than 10 years ago. He has since given that presentation—which incorporates props, photos, and his real-life experiences as an EMT and firefighter—to more than 1,500 driver’s education students in the Red River Valley area. As a member of the Safe Communities Coalition of the Red River Valley, Dan spearheaded an effort to procure a grant for a rollover simulator. His leadership and extensive collaboration with area organizations culminated in the purchase of a simulator that reached 5,000 community members in 2009 alone.
Engineering: Wayne Sandberg
In the Engineering category, the recipient of this year’s Star Award is Wayne Sandberg, deputy director of Washington County’s Transportation Division. Wayne’s strong commitment to transportation safety is demonstrated by his roles as president of the North Central Institute of Transportation Engineers (NCITE) and member of the Minnesota County Engineers Association’s Safety Committee, as well as his work with Minnesota TZD and the Minnesota Local Technical Assistance Program. Among his many efforts, Wayne provided leadership in creating resolutions supporting the primary seat belt law at the county level and with NCITE. He continually supports a variety of safety efforts by engaging in collaborative studies, sharing news of innovative approaches, and coordinating education programs.
Child Passenger Safety: Sharon Munns
In the Child Passenger Safety (CPS) category, this year’s Star Award recipient is Sharon Munns, outreach coordinator at Saint Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic. Sharon has been involved with CPS programs for more than 15 years, developing one of the strongest hospital-based programs in the state at the Mayo Clinic. She also works with community education programs, trains countless technicians, and conducts monthly clinics in the southeastern portion of Minnesota. Sharon has served on the state’s CPS Advisory Board since its creation and has taken on several task force projects to update CPS courses and education materials. She also serves as the state’s expert on CPS for special needs children.
Judicial/Court Systems: Joel Watne
Recently retired Assistant Attorney General Joel Watne is this year’s Star Award recipient in the category of Judicial and Court Systems. For 38 years, Joel represented the Attorney General’s office in more than 12,000 implied consent and B-card hearings around the state. He was a member of the subcommittee that redrafted all DWI and implied consent provisions of the Uniform Vehicle Code, and he has spoken to state legislatures and other groups across the country about strengthening implied consent and administrative sanctions laws. Among his other work, Joel has served as a resource for law enforcement agencies and has been an instructor for breath test certification courses since 1974.
Public Leadership: Jean Ryan
The recipient of this year’s Distinguished Public Leadership Star Award is Jean Ryan, impaired driving coordinator for the Office of Traffic Safety at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. One of Jean’s most well-known efforts is the DWI bill of 2010, which passed with 100 percent support in the House and only one vote opposed in the Senate. Jean’s dedicated efforts in creating and leading the Driver’s License Sanctions initiative, involving more than 60 DWI stakeholders, was key in shaping this legislation. She has also been instrumental in creating an E-charging system, expanding the ignition interlock pilot, and obtaining new breath-testing instruments.
Media Star: Star Tribune
The recipient of this year’s Media Star award is the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune newspaper staff. (The award was accepted by Star Tribune investigations editor Jeff Meitrodt, pictured at left ). The Star Tribune was a valued partner of the Toward Zero Deaths mission in 2010, underscored by the exceptional work put toward its “Smashed” series of articles.
2009
Enforcement: Bruce Johnson
Retired Dakota County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Bruce Johnson is the recipient of this year’s Star Award in the Enforcement category. Johnson served Dakota County for 22 years, where he sustained a passion for traffic safety and was instrumental in forming the Dakota County Traffic Safety Project. He worked to secure aid agreements, council resolutions, and grant funds for this program while serving as the law enforcement representative on the Safe Communities coalition and the fatal review board. As a safety leader in Dakota County, Johnson has also built partnerships with many county agencies.
Emergency Medical & Trauma Services: Darrell Smith
In the Emergency Medical and Trauma Services category, this year’s Star Award recipient is Darrell Smith. Smith has worked for Cook County Ambulance Service for 34 years, starting as a volunteer and now serving as director. He has served on numerous local and regional committees, teams, and boards, including the Cook County Search and Rescue Team, Arrowhead Emergency Medical Services, and the Minnesota Ambulance Association. Over his career, he has worked with local law enforcement to improve radio communications, scene safety, and working conditions and has served as a mentor for a number of young EMTs, first responders, and law enforcement officers.
Education: Joseph Grafft
The recipient of this year’s Star Award in Education is Metropolitan State University School of Law Enforcement faculty member Joseph A. Grafft. Grafft has been involved in emergency medical services and education for more than 40 years and has held leadership positions with a number of emergency medical associations and committees. He was responsible for the motorcycle driving program sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which trained more than 8,000 riders in basic and advanced motorcycle driving, and he has worked extensively with area schools to promote seat belt use and youth safety.
Engineering: Dave Engstrom
This year’s Star Award recipient in Engineering is Dave Engstrom. Engstrom has been instrumental in the implementation of Mn/DOT’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan and the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and he led the effort to deploy a statewide cable median barrier program, a speed management program, and low-cost county safety improvements. He is the department expert in the evaluation of intersection control and is a roundabout advocate. Engstrom is also called upon nationally to serve on various technical committees, including FHWA Low Cost Safety Improvement Research, AASHTO Safety Audit Peer Group, and FHWA Strategic Highway Safety Plan Peer Group.
Child Passenger Safety: Brynn Duncan Family
The recipient of the Star Award in Child Passenger Safety (CPS) is Brynn Duncan and family. Duncan was seven years old when she was injured by her seat belt in a car crash because she was not sitting in a booster seat. Since the crash, the Duncan family has worked hard to change booster seat language in the CPS law. The family has traveled numerous times to testify, asked Brynn’s schoolmates to write letters to legislators regarding this law, and contacted its state representative, who signed the CPS law as a co-author this year. The Duncan family became the name and face for child passenger safety in Minnesota, and the family’s efforts persuaded lawmakers to upgrade the CPS law.
Judicial/Court System: James Dehn
Isanti District Court Judge James Dehn is the recipient of this year’s Star Award in the category of Judicial and Court Systems. Judge Dehn and the Isanti County Courts were the first to begin a DWI tracking study. Previously, he established a first-of-its-kind sentencing program for individuals convicted of DWIs to earn reduced jail time for a change in behavior. He has collaborated with the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety and the Isanti County TZD program, which led to the establishment of a liquor provider partnership and the Safe Cab program. Judge Dehn and the Isanti County Courts continue to be local advocates for traffic safety and the TZD program.
Public Leadership: Jim Carlson
State Senator Jim Carlson is serving in his first term and is the Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. He also authored the CPS bill each year he has been in the legislature.
Public Leadership: Melissa Hortman
State Representative Melissa Hortman, serving in her third term from Brooklyn Park, is on the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee and is part of the House leadership. Rep. Hortman has authored the CPS bill for each of her years in the legislature.
Public Leadership: Cheri Marti
Office of Traffic Safety Director Cheri Marti has worked hard to get the word out about traffic safety during her short time with the department. She has been instrumental in preparing legislators for debate on the issue and has reached out to a number of individual senators and representatives to discuss traffic safety.
Public Leadership: Steve Murphy
District 28 State Senator Steve Murphy has been a vocal and visible advocate for traffic safety. As the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Murphy has worked to sponsor traffic safety legislation and to educate other senators on traffic safety issues.
Public Leadership: Kim Norton
State Representative Kim Norton has been a long-time leader in efforts to make Minnesota roads safer. Rep. Norton has worked to build bipartisan support for traffic safety and was instrumental in passing two of the graduated driver’s license components in the legislature.
Media: Stan Turner
This year’s Media Award is given to Minnesota News Network (MNN) radio personality Stan Turner. MNN has been a consistent and engaged media partner with TZD messages, and the network has been open to and interested in covering TZD news to educate its listeners about important traffic safety issues. Turner has demonstrated enthusiasm and interest in traffic safety topics by consistently covering TZD news items year-round. He and his news team are a tremendous asset to TZD as they help the program reach a statewide audience in communities large and small.
2008
Enforcement: Jeremy Cossette
Officer Jeremy Cossette of the White Earth Tribal Police is the recipient of this year’s Star Award for Enforcement. While working for the White Earth Tribal Police Department, Cossette has played a key role in developing the Safe & Sober Program and has worked hard to promote seat belt use, something he feels especially passionate about after being involved in a serious crash while working as an emergency medical technician. Cossette has also worked with the Tribal Council and local government officials to draft a primary seat belt law that will take effect in January 2009.
Emergency Medical & Trauma Services: Jim Theodore
The recipient of this year’s award in the category of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is Jim Theodore, a retired emergency medical technician and assistant fire chief and current volunteer firefighter. Theodore has been instructing first aid and CPR since 1977 and was instrumental in forming the First Responder Group in Clinton Township. He also worked with the Arrowhead EMS Association to form a highway safety program and has served on the Arrowhead Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team since 1991.
Education: Cheryl Bisping
In the Education category, this year’s Star Award recipient is Cheryl Bisping. Bisping has motivated members of the community, leaders, business owners, and others to educate the public on preventable deaths and injuries from traffic crashes. She received alternate funding to create “Under 21? Not a Drop” billboards and successfully built strong support for the coalition with the Mesabi Daily News. Bisping has worked with individuals throughout the community to promote the Mesabi Safe Communities Coalition and bring increased awareness to traffic safety issues.
Engineering: Dave Kopacz
This year’s Star Award recipient in Engineering, Dave Kopacz, has been the safety engineer for the Minnesota division of the Federal Highway Administration since 1998. During this time he has been a key partner in developing Minnesota’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan and instrumental in educating state and local traffic engineers on strategies to reduce fatal and life-changing crashes. Kopacz has always placed a high priority on forming and maintaining partnerships with agencies and advocacy groups throughout the state. As a member of the TZD program and leadership teams, his leadership and support of Minnesota’s safety programs have been a contributing force in driving Minnesota toward zero deaths.
Child Passenger Safety: Tom Jansky
The recipient of the Star Award in Child Passenger Safety (CPS) is Tom Jansky of Gold Cross Ambulance, St. Cloud, Minn. Jansky and other Gold Cross Ambulance employees have gone above and beyond their regular duties to ensure that monthly car seat clinics offered by the local CPS program run smoothly. Gold Cross Ambulance offered its garage as a location for the monthly clinics as well as storage space for CPS supplies and meeting rooms for CPS-related business.
Previous car seat clinics in the St. Cloud area were held at various locations, many of them outdoors, which created a challenge for CPS staff each month to find a site, inform the public, and make it work for the clinic. By having a set location for these clinics, CPS staff have been able to extend the program and in doing so, better educate parents.
Media: Jeff Passolt
2008’s Media Award is given to KMSP–FOX 9 chief news anchor Jeff Passolt. Passolt volunteered his time to anchor a teen driving DVD that is being used by the Minnesota State High School League during all pre-season meetings with parents and teens. The DVD stresses primary teen driving safety issues and encourages young drivers to make wise choices. The DVD was also reproduced by AAA and shared with commercial driving schools and safe community programs.
Passolt has won Emmys for Best News Anchor in 1997, 2004, and 2006. He volunteers much of his time with local charities including American’s Walk for Diabetes, the MS Walk, and youth groups.