Contact: Mark E. Brady, Public Information Officer, [email protected]
The Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation (YLD) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 scholarships and special awards. These exceptional individuals were selected following a rigorous application review process and recommendations from the YLD Scholarship and Awards Committee. This year, YLD has awarded a total of $44,000, bringing the cumulative amount awarded since the foundation’s inception to $280,000.
The 2024 YLD recipients were personally notified by Michael Hildebrand, President of the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation, through a congratulatory phone call. During the call, Hildebrand remarked, “Congratulations on being selected as a YLD scholarship and award recipient. Your application and leadership vision distinguished you in a record-breaking year of highly competitive submissions. This achievement not only reflects your personal excellence but also brings honor to the agency you represent. The Foundation eagerly anticipates witnessing your continued success and leadership in the years ahead.”
James G. Yvorra Scholarship for Fire and Emergency Service Responders
Each scholarship recipient receives $4,000.
- Joe Flick
Fire Lieutenant
Milwaukee Fire Department - Kendra Loney
Public Information Officer
Nashville Fire Department
Nashville, Tennessee - Thomas Gripp
Battalion Chief
Kansas City Fire Department
Kansas City, Kansas - Daniel Peterson
Captain, Research, Planning, and Water Supply Officer
Chattanooga Fire Department
Chattanooga, Tennessee - Mitchell Clark
Public Information Officer
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Fairfax, Virginia
Chief John M. Eversole Award for Hazardous Materials Emergency Responders
- Justin Lenker
Lieutenant
Dauphin County Hazardous Materials Response Team
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Chief G. Crawford Wiestling Scholarship Award
- Oliver Alkire
Master Deputy State Fire Marshal
Maryland State Fire Marshal
Bel Air, Maryland
Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Award
- “Phoenix Blue Card Program” – $10,000
Captain and Training Officer
Danville Fire Department
Danville, Illinois
- “Leadership training for the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs”– $6,000
Jennifer Johnson
Director, Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute
Lawrence, Kansas
Additional information about our recipients will be available soon.
About the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation (YLD)
The YLD Foundation is a non-profit private organization dedicated to fostering leadership development among professionals in fire, EMS, hazardous materials, emergency management, and homeland security. Established in memory of James G. Yvorra, who devoted his life to improving fire and emergency medical services before his line-of-duty death in 1988, the Foundation continues his legacy of service and leadership.
The Foundation is overseen by a dedicated Board of Directors responsible for its administration and management. All board and committee members serve voluntarily, without compensation.
Each year, YLD invites individuals and groups to apply for its scholarships and special project awards, with recipients announced every December. For more information, visit YLD.org.