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APP Volunteer Awards

Since its founding, APP's existence was made possible by the contributions, achievements, and impact of individuals who volunteered their time, talent, energy, and resources to support APP's mission.  How can we resist acknowledging and celebrating our volunteers and members for their contributions?

This page serves to highlight our current Awards.  We are considering additional awards for the future.  If you would like to nominate someone for an award, or if there is an award category you think APP should develop, we would like to hear from you!

Current APP Volunteer Awards:

Starting in 2022, APP provides two awards each year.  The recipients of these awards will be announced at the Level Up event in March.
APP Awards for Volunteering
Owl Award
The Owl Award recognizes the contributions of volunteers who have made an “above and beyond” contribution to APP's success or growth over the past two years. It may be awarded annually.

The selected recipient:

  • Is an APP volunteer in good standing, is not on the Executive Committee, and has not previously received the award.
  • Has made a recognized “above and beyond” contribution to APP's success or growth within the past 2 years.
  • Their leadership and/or service contributions helped APP (a) launch a significant new program; (b) renew/regenerate an existing program; or (c) move a portion of the strategic plan forward in a significant way.
Donut Award
The  Donut Award is reserved for outstanding volunteers who contribute to APP consistently over time.  It may be awarded to up to three individuals annually.

The selected recipient:

  • To nominate someone, click here.
  • Intended to recognize those very select individuals who have gone above and beyond any reasonable expectation of service to APP and its mission again and again in a meaningful way. 
  • Is not on the Executive Committee or designated selection committee, and has not previously received the award.
  • Has made a recognized “above and beyond” contribution to APP's success or growth over 5 or more years.
  • Their consistent and repeated leadership and/or service contributions helped APP achieve its mission in a significant way over time.

 

Owl Award for Volunteering

The Owl Award recognizes the contributions of volunteers who have made an “above and beyond” contribution to APP’s success or growth over the past two years. It may be awarded annually. Established in 2022.
  • Domenic Cirone
    Domenic Cirone
    VP, Acquirer Solutions Equifax (917)853-0650
    Award Recipient 2025
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  • Alexis S Lichterman
    Alexis S Lichterman
    Senior Vice President, Sales Mentom Payments (760)429-5008
    Award Recipient 2024
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  • Jennifer Maddux
    Jennifer Maddux
    Head of Money Movement Rules Compliance Intuit Inc. (805)952-3655
    Award Recipient 2023
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  • Julie Schwartz
    Julie Schwartz
    Senior Manager BMO Bank, N.A. (512)705-4145
    Award Recipient 2022
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Donut Award for Volunteering

According to APP lore, in the early days of APP, members would meet in a café or donut shop to discuss current risks and trends in payment fraud and crimes. This award recalls that history, and reflects the values that have always been a part of APP: education, collaboration, and leadership. The Donut Shop represents the importance of a place to come together as a community. Donuts symbolize the way some volunteers keep coming back around again and again, like an endless circle, to make APP a successful and valuable organization and community for its members. Thus, the Donut Award for Volunteering is reserved for outstanding volunteers who continue to contribute to APP consistently over time. Established in 2022.
  • Richard Parrott
    Richard Parrott
    Chief Risk Officer / Vice President of Risk and Compliance Talus Payments
    Award Recipient 2025
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  • Kate Root
    Kate Root
    SVP/Managing Director Chesapeake Bank
    Award Recipient 2024
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  • Jim Bibles
    Jim Bibles
    SVP Risk
    Award Recipient 2024
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  • David Landis
    David Landis
    Partner / CRO Interim Member
    Award Recipient 2023
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  • Vadeene Sisk
    Vadeene Sisk
    VP of Global Disputes Interim Member
    Award Recipient 2023
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  • Georgia E Stavrakis
    Georgia E Stavrakis
    SVP/Risk and Control Director Wells Fargo
    Award Recipient 2023
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  • Jeffry Beene
    Jeffry Beene
    Chief Risk Officer - Acquiring Thread Bank
    Award Recipient 2022
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  • Adrienne Gray
    Adrienne Gray
    CPP SVP, Payments Risk & Compliance Commercial Bank of California
    Award Recipient 2022
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  • Aliki Liadis-Hall
    Aliki Liadis-Hall
    VP, Risk Strategy & Portfolio Analytics Elavon
    Award Recipient 2022
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