The Garry Balogh Inspiring Excellence Award

Jim and Nikki’s involvement with the Florida Scenic Highway Program spans over two decades! In 2005, they began working with Garry Balogh to establish the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, which was officially designated in 2008 and received national recognition in 2009. Stretching 123 miles across Lake, Marion, Putnam, and Volusia counties, the byway showcases some of Florida’s most breathtaking natural features. Read more in the 2025 Byway Buzz post

Over the last 24 years, Mr. Jonson has successfully spearheaded numerous efforts to transform the Courtney Campbell Scenic Highway into an exemplary byway between Tampa and Clearwater, featuring one of the most popular pedestrian corridors in Tampa Bay.

Before that, he worked with Scenic America to reduce sign pollution in the region and helped establish Florida’s Scenic Highways Program we enjoy today! Read more in the 2024 Byway Buzz post.

Al and Phyllis Abbatiello from the William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway were the 2023 recipients of the GBIEA. This husband-and-wife team has committed over 20 years to preserving and protecting the historical sites and natural beauty of the St. Johns River region of St. Johns County. Al and Phyllis bring nearly 45 years of experience to their byway community. Read more in the 2023 Byway Buzz post.

That September, Dean Stoddart, FDOT State Scenic Highway Coordinator, presented this award at the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor meeting. Georgia has been the Executive Director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority (WVTAA) since 2016. She is a technical advisor to the Florida Black Bear Byway and the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor. Learn more in the 2022 Byway Buzz post.

Like many who are nominated for this award, Cathie has worn many hats, including Grants Coordinator, Chair, secretary, liaison to FDOT, the towns, and other partners, and author of newsletters. Cathie’s true significance to her byway is appreciated by the long list of specific projects in which she assumed a leadership role. Check them out in the 2021 Byway Buzz post about her award!

Judy Hull, chair of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway, was presented with the GBIEA at the 2019 FSHP Statewide meeting in DeBary, Florida. Learn more in the 2019 Byway Buzz post.

Dawn Cary was awarded her GBIEA at the third annual “State of the Byway” dinner for Scenic Sumter by Claudia Calzaretta, the District Five Scenic Highways Coordinator. Check out the video clip in the 2018 Byway Buzz post to learn more about why she was selected.

Glenn Burns was a humble superpower behind many byway projects. His award presentation was a surprise at Oakland Nature Preserve on Green Mountain Scenic Byway. Watch the 2017 Byway Buzz post video to hear more about what Glenn meant to the Byway community.

In 2016, Jean Wallace was awarded the GBIEA at the Pensacola Scenic Bluffs Highway annual meeting. Pensacola Scenic Bluffs Highway was the first Scenic Highway to be designated in the State of Florida, and this annual meeting also commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the Florida Scenic Highway Program. Jean was a founding member of the Pensacola Scenic Bluffs Highway and, at the time of receiving the award, was serving as the organization’s Vice President at 85 years old. Her passion for the byway and the preservation of historic and scenic Florida are among many reasons Jean was selected as the 2016 GBIEA recipient.

He mentored coordinators across Florida and went above and beyond to support the byways he worked with. The Garry Balogh Inspiring Excellence Award (GBIEA) was created in his memory to acknowledge great work in the Florida Scenic Highways community of stewards and volunteers.

First awarded in 2015, GBIEA is the highest honor bestowed by the FSHP. The award recognizes the leadership, innovation, stewardship, and inspiring achievements of an individual, organization, or agency that has made a significant and lasting impact on Florida Scenic Highways, byway communities, and/or the Program.