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Awards & Recognitions

The CACTA Awards program seeks to promote excellence in career and technical education by recognizing individuals in the following categories:

CACTA Administrator of the Year: CACTA member who has made significant contributions to the field of career and technical education, whose programs exemplify the highest standards, and/or whose institutions have conducted activities to help promote and expand career and technical programs.

CACTA Emerging Leader: Newer CACTA member who has shown growth and initiative in their CTE role. 

CACTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion: CACTA member who is doing great work to ensure equitable access and support. 

CACTA CTE Champion: Industry leader, legislator or vendor who has contributed to the advancement of CTE.

CACTA Administrator of Year

 

2025 Winner: Marvin Lewis

Principal, FutureForward Washington Square  

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CACTA CTE Champion

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2025 Winner: Anthony Durst,

Adolfson & Peterson Construction

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Past Winners 

2024: Dr. Tiena McConnell, Pickens Tech

2023: Buck Webber, St. Vrain School District 

2022: Mary Krisko, Peyton School District  

2021:  Kristi Weaver, Adams 12 Five Star Schools

  2020: Nikki Carter, Widefield School District  

Past Winners 

(Previously Friend of CACTA) 

2024: Austin White, Iron Buffalo Diesel

2023: Bill Cherington, Director of IT Services, Red Rocks Community College 

2022: Nikki Lester, zSpace  

2021:  Lisa Seaman, Workforce Manager for Construction Education Foundation

CACTA Emerging Leader

 

  2025 Winner: Kelsey Burger​

Career & Technical Education Coordinator

Poudre School District

CACTA Inclusion, Access, Equity & Diversity Champion  

  2025 Winner:  Dr. Liliana Renteria Mendoza 

Associate Dean for Instructional Operations  & CTE Director

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Past Winners 

2024: Rebecca Albert Vollrath

2023: Ron Hruby, Director of CTE Adams 

2022: Tessa Gargano, Assistant Principal FutureForward Washington Square 

2021:  Jessica McAllister, Lewis Palmer

  2020: Jessica Bright, Cherry Creek Schools 

Past Winners 

2023: Sarah Heath, State CTE Director & Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs 

2022: Chris Duran, Assistant Principal, FutureForward Bollman Adams 12   

This is a new award created in the 2022 school year.

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