Lance D. Thomas Awards
The Lance D. Thomas Achievement Award has been presented at the National Odometer and Title Fraud Enforcement Association (NOTFEA) annual training Conference since 1995. The Award is to recognize members for noteworthy achievements in odometer and vehicle fraud cases. The award is in honor of the late Lance D. Thomas, one of the original investigators with U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when the unit was formed in 1977. This was Lance’s second career as he was retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Marines Corps. Lance was assigned to NHTSA’s, Atlanta Regional Office, until his death in 1997. Those who were fortunate to have worked with Lance remember him as a true gentleman, trusted colleague and a tenacious Investigator.
Nomination form:
Lance D. Thomas Award Recipients
2024
Mary Jane “MJ” Holmlund – County Store General Manager – IA Scott County Treasurer
2023
Chris Rouze – Director – CO Dept of Revenue – Auto Industry Division
2022
Earl Pence – Investigator V – TxDMV
Kevin Porter – Supervisory Special Agent – NHTSA
2019
Don Cloud – Senior Field Investigator – Indiana Secretary of State
2018
William “Bill” A. Biondo – General Motors
2017
David Buehrle – Supervisory Special Agent – Missouri Department of Revenue
Robert Foster – State Investigator – Texas Dept. of Motor Vehicles
2016
Nick Humphrey, Administrator – Missouri Department of Revenue
2015
Gary Mitchell, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. DOT / NHTSA / Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation.
Casey Edds, Investigative Assistant, U.S. DOT/NHTSA / Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation
2014
Kim McCluskey, Investigator – Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
2013
Wendell Espeland, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. DOT / NHTSA / Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation.
2012
David Sullivan, Trial Attorney, US Department of Justice – Consumer Protection Branch.
2011
Charles “Chuck” R. Stepter, Jr., Partner Fishback, Dominick, Bennett, Stepter, Ardaman, Ahlers & Langley LLP.
2010
David Sparks, Office Director, US DOT / NHTSA / Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation.
2009
Jerry Conrad, Fraud Unit Manager, West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Berta Phelps, Vice President, Manheim Auto Auction.
2008
Jerry Auch, Compliance and Dealer Services Manager, North Dakota DOT.
Allan Gordus, Attorney, US Department of Justice-OCL.
Alan Phelps, Attorney, US Department of Justice-OCL.
2007
Kenny Roylance, Inv. WY Dept of Transportation.
2006
Holly Merz, Inv. Iowa Attorney General.
Lyle Paulson, Administrator, NDDOT, Motor Vehicle Div.
2005
Mary Marvin, Supv. Inv., Colorado MVB.
Tony Bartolome, Lt., Florida Highway Patrol.
Rodley Henry, Director, Louisiana Department of Justice.
2004
Mary Ann Wehmueller, Dep. Attorney General, Indiana.
2003
Kerry Kirkpatrick, Commander, IA Dept. of Transp.
Russell Laurens, Senior Inv., GA Office of Cons. Affairs.
2002
LaDonna Devenberg, Investigator, CA DMV.
Bill Kadlowec, Chief Investigator, SC Dept. of Con. Affairs.
2001
Monte Czaplewski, Special Agent, USDOT/NHTSA.
2000
Ron Wedekind, Lieutenant, FL Highway Patrol.
1999
Doug Stern, Attorney, US Department of Justice-OCL.
Bill Burton, Section Supervisor, MI Department of State.
1998
Charlie Bradley, Special Agent, TN Highway Patrol.
Jay Bratt, Attorney, US Department of Justice-OCL.
Doug Cannon, Assistant US Attorney, NC.
Bob Eppes, Special Agent, USDOT/NHTSA, MO.
Ken Jost, Assistant Director, US Dept. of Justice-OCL.
1997
Gary Dickinson, Dir. of Security, ADT Automotive Inc.,TN.
John Kelly, Dep. Attorney General, PA Office of Atty. Gen.
Jon Setzer, Special Agent, USDOT/NHTSA, CO.
1996
Jim Arnold, Attorney, US Department of Justice-OCL.
Linda Marks, Attorney, US Department of Justice-OCL.
1995
Tom Ley, Special Agent, MO Criminal Investigation Bureau.
Jim Scripture, Special Agent, MA Federal Bureau of Inv.
Dan Stodden, Investigator, CA Department of Motor Vehicles.