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APS 2026 Awards & Honors

The APS and APRL are proud to announce the 2026 winners of our annual Awards & Honors. Additional details about each award winner will be available in the May issue of The American Philatelist.

Please join us in congratulating our 2026 award winners!

The John N. Luff Awards
For Distinguished Philatelic Research: Larry Lyons
For Exceptional Contributions to Philately: Charles J. G. Verge
For Outstanding Service to the APS: Elizabeth Hisey

Ernest A. Kehr Award
For enduring contributions that help guarantee the future of the hobby
Glenn Silverman

Hall of Fame

• Nancy Clark (1946-2024)
• John Lievsay (1932-2025)
• Wade Saadi (1949-2025)
• Richard Winter (1937-2025)
• Max Ohlman (1881-1957)

The Nicholas G. Carter Volunteer Recognition Awards
National:

• Alan Barasch
• Carol Bommarito
• Mark Butterline
• Melanie Rogers
• Steve L. Swain

Local:

• Wylie Irwin
• Len Kasper
• Mary Rosina Major
• Jim Meverden
• Joe Petronie
• Karen Robbins
• John P Stefanek
• Richard Weichle

John Walter Scott Dealer Award: Michael and Cecelia Ball of A to Z Stamps

The United States Stamp Society/Barbara Mueller Award: Calvin Mitchell and Baasil Wilder, for “A Study in Race, Racism and Presidential Politics,” published in March 2025.

Charles J. Peterson Philatelic Literature Life Achievement Award: Yamil Kouri

Thomas F. Allen Award (For the best article published in a single year of The Philatelic Literature Review): Rick Barrett, for “How the Epic Story of Captain Tim Unfolded,” in the Fall/Winter 2025 Philatelic Literature Review.

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APS Announces New CFO and VP of Operations

The APS is pleased to announce that two senior positions at the society have now been filled. Our new Chief Financial Officer, Mark Yucha (left) joined the APS team last week and is already digging into upgrading administrative software and systems to help us serve our members better. Mark is a seasoned finance and accounting executive with over 25 years of experience at a diverse range of organizations, from Inside Higher Ed to a film production company. A graduate of Penn State University, Mark recently returned to the State College area after four years in Cape Town, South Africa.

If you’ve ever attended the Great American Stamp Show, you probably already know our new Vice President of Operations, Wendy Masorti [right], and her can-do spirit. Wendy has been with the APS for more years than she would like us to put in writing and has worn many hats in that time, from webmaster to Sales Director to her most recent position, Director of Membership and Shows. Her vast institutional knowledge, stemming from her experience in nearly every department of the society, will be an invaluable asset in this newly created role, which oversees Membership, Shows, Sales, and APEX.

Please join us in welcoming Mark to the APS, and congratulating Wendy on her promotion to VP!

I first met Wendy more than 20 years ago, when she was the assistant to then-executive director Bob Lamb. Not mentioned in the above press release is that she also handled Complaints for much of her time at the APS, one of the toughest jobs there in my opinion. The complaints manager tries to resolve disputes before they “go to trial” with the Board of Vice Presidents. In my opinion, she has succeeded in every position she has held at the APS.       — Lloyd de Vries

Nominations Open for FDC Writing Award
For Works Published In 2025

Nominations will be accepted through May 30, 2026, for the Philip H. Ward Award for Excellence in First Day Cover Literature, presented annually by the American First Day Cover Society. All works published in 2025 are eligible.

All articles and published in First Days, the AFDCS journal, are automatically considered. Other articles and works may be submitted to the Ward Award Committee chair, Mark Goodson, 315 East Dewey Street, Ellettsville, IN 47429-1901, bgdsn@comcast.net, either as clippings or .pdf scans of the material as published.

The award is presented each year at Americover, the annual convention of the AFDCS, which will be held August 7-9, 2026, in conjunction with BALPEX. A complete list of past winners can be found at www.afdcs.org/Awards-&-Honors#phw

Past works honored by the AFDCS reflect a wide variety of sources, including journals of other organizations and books.

The award is named in honor of Philip H. Ward (1890-1963), the distinguished Philadelphia stamp collector, dealer and journalist who was a pioneer in the field of first day covers. The award was instituted by the AFDCS in 1964.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization, established in 1955. In addition to First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as the exhibiting of FDCs.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

The Board of Directors of the American First Day Cover Society has re-elected Lloyd de Vries of New Jersey as the organization’s president for calendar-year 2026. Others re-elected as AFDCS officers were Ralph Nafziger of Oregon, executive vice president; Walter Douglas George of Massachusetts, first vice president; and Mark Gereb of New Jersey, recording secretary. In addition, Eric Wile of North Carolina was elected as Treasurer, replacing Mark Thompson of Tennessee, who has retired.

They, along with the editor of the journal First Days, the executive secretary, the immediate past president, the general counsel and the chairs of the Education, Sales and Membership departments, comprise the organization’s executive committee.

The Board also chose Cynthia Scott of Indiana as its chair for 2026.

AFDCS officers and directors are not compensated nor reimbursed for their travel expenses.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

Education Director Tomalei Vess will be leaving the American Philatelic Society, the nation’s largest stamp collecting organization, as of the end of the year. “This has been a hard decision, but after a lot of reflection, I’ve decided to step into a new opportunity,” she told The Virtual Stamp Club in email. “I have been invited to be a partner in a startup company with people I have known for years.”

She joined the APS in January 2025 with experience in K-12, university and museum education. She has a PhD in Biology.

She plans to help with the transition to the new Education Director. “I am invested in the future of the hobby, and the success of the APS,” she said.

“I am eternally grateful for this community of philatelists—people who pour wisdom, generosity, and kindness into APS, its mission, and the Education Department. That support has shaped me in lasting ways. Words cannot adequately describe my appreciation.”

Updated January 13^th: The APS has posted the job now. From the email newsletter:

The APS is looking for a Director of Education to join our team! This role is collaborative and hands-on, driving the organization’s education strategy and leading the development of philatelic educational content.

Click here for more information and to apply.

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YPLF Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship cohort!

The Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship provides collectors aged 16 to 24 with the opportunity to learn from experts in the hobby and gain experience in their chosen track, fostering a lifelong connection with philately.

Applications will close on February 1, 2026.

And remember, APS members can still nominate a collector to participate in the program via the form linked here. The nomination period is open from now until January 15, 2026.

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APS Welcomes New Director of Technology and Innovation

The APS is pleased to welcome its new Director of Technology and Innovation, Stephanie Katz. Stephanie is an interdisciplinary thinker and strategist with 15 years of experience managing digital projects, developing data analytics dashboards, and leading website search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives. Her career spans roles with the federal government, museums and cultural organizations, and a marketing agency serving Fortune 500 clients. Most recently, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, where she led Microsoft 365 tool implementation and analytics efforts. Her contributions were recognized with multiple agency awards for driving impact, improving team efficiency, and leading the adoption of modernization efforts.

“We’re very excited for Stephanie to join us,” said Executive Director Kirk Gillis. “Her strong analytical skills and proven experience in digital strategy, SEO, and project management will be crucial as we embark on a comprehensive digital transformation of the APS.”

As a Fulbright Predoctoral Research Scholar, Stephanie supported a digital transformation initiative at Spain’s Prado Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world. Earlier in her career, she spent several years working internationally in South America as an educator and bilingual interpreter. She also served as an instructional designer for the University of Queensland’s satellite campus in northern Chile.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College, a Master of Science in Arts Administration, Museum Leadership, and Marketing from Drexel University, and a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is currently a volunteer with the U.S. Digital Response and contributes her time to several mission-driven organizations in her local community.

Welcome aboard, Stephanie!

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AFDCS Names Trevor Bills Membership Chair

The American First Day Cover Society has chosen Trevor Bills of Texas to chair its Membership Department. The Board of Directors unanimously confirmed the appointment.

Bills, who holds a Public Service and Administration master’s degree from Texas A&M and an MBA from Angelo State University, is an alumnus of the American Philatelic Society’s Young Philatelic Leadership Fellowship. At Angelo State, he was student body president. The 23-year-old served an apprenticeship in Marketing and Logistical Operations at a vineyard and lists Digital Marketing as one of his skills. In addition to the AFDCS, he is also a member of the APS, the American Topical Association, Postmark Collectors Club, Ebony Society of Philatelic Experiences and Reflections, and the American Ceremony Program Society. He also has reported on first-day ceremonies for Linn’s Stamp News.

He has produced cachets under the name Trevor’s Covers for occasional first-days and space and special events, winning honors in the annual AFDCS cachetmaking contest.

The AFDCS Membership Department is responsible for recruitment, membership renewals, and chapter memberships, although the actual record-keeping is performed by the Executive Secretary. The Chair of the Membership Department is a member of the Executive Committee, which meets throughout the year in-person and via the internet.

“I am honored to step into the role of Membership Chair and look forward to contributing to the continued growth of our organization,” Bills said. “I look forward to fostering stronger connections among members and welcoming new individuals to our community.”

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. It publishes its bimonthly award-winning journal First Days as well as handbooks and catalogues and maintains a YouTube channel. The AFDCS also promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

AFDCS officers are not compensated for their services or travel and only receive reimbursement for some expenses.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.