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We all know a few quiet heroes in our industry, people who don’t chase the spotlight but instead shine a light on others’ talents and communication skills. Each spring Pioneer asks you to help us celebrate these unsung heroes by nominating them for the 2026 Dave D’Avanzo Communications Leadership Award.
The award is named after Dave D’Avanzo, a communicator who spent nearly four decades helping others grow through generosity and collaboration.
“Dave’s impact extended across four utilities, making life better for countless colleagues,” Pioneer CEO Michael Shepard says. “This award is our way to spotlight people who do the same each day.”
Once you’ve thought of an outstanding communicator whose leadership, mentorship and service elevate the broadband, electric utility and telco community, answer these questions:
- How has this person helped others beyond their own organization?
- How does this person set a standard for storytelling excellence in their publications, with their co-workers and local community?
- What sets this nominee apart from others in the industry, and how do they honor the spirit of the award with a focus on giving, helping and making other people better?
Nominees are evaluated based on communication skills, industry leadership, mentorship and community service. To be eligible, nominees must have at least 10 years of combined service time employed at telcos, electric utilities, broadband providers, statewide associations or industry vendors and must work at a Pioneer-member utility or broadband provider in a communications or marketing role.
How you can help:
📅 Mark your calendar! Nominations are open until April 24.
✍️ Think about the storytellers and mentors in your network. Who helped you strengthen your voice and better understand the industry?
🌟 Submit a nomination: Share their contributions and why they deserve to be celebrated.
The peer nomination process helps the often-quiet voices shaping our industry get the recognition they deserve. After all, great communicators do more than share information. They strengthen community, fuel understanding and make all of us better at what we do.
To nominate a colleague, go to pioneer.coop/award.