2009 Kathy Swanson Outstanding Service Award Winners

The Kathy Swanson Outstanding Service Award recognizes an individual or individuals who have shown exceptional leadership in efforts to improve traffic safety in Minnesota, build partnerships, and mentor others in the field. Recipients will also have demonstrated a long-term passion, dedication, and commitment to reducing the number of deaths and injuries resulting from crashes on Minnesota roads.

The recipients of this year’s Kathy Swanson Outstanding Service Award are Anne Beers and Carol Bufton.

Anne Beers

Retired Colonel Anne Beers was a member of the Minnesota State Patrol from 1975 to 2005. After being appointed colonel in 1997, she worked hard to pass primary seat belt legislation and testified in support of seat belts in front of many committees. As one of the first three female troopers in Minnesota, Beers was instrumental in developing a relationship between the Minnesota State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Transportation and was one of the original architects of the Toward Zero Deaths initiative. Beers has mentored many young troopers over the years and has worked to promote traffic safety and seat belt laws even after her retirement.

 

Carol Bufton

Minnesota Safety Council President Carol Bufton has been a long-time leader in efforts to make Minnesota’s roads safer through public education campaigns, legislative activity, and a broad spectrum of traffic safety programs, services, and materials. Bufton has worked to develop partnerships with organizations that include AAA, the Department of Public Safety, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, among others. Under Bufton’s leadership, the Minnesota Safety Council has offered driver training statewide to more than 30,000 people each year and has coordinated multiyear educational programs addressing seat belt use, pedestrian safety, and other issues. Bufton also co-chaired the development of the Car Seats Made Simple Web site.

 

See previous Kathy Swanson Outstanding Service Award Winners