Each year, the Sacramento Chapter selects support staff members in recognition for their outstanding service and high level of achievement. To acknowledge the contributions of administrative staff who support the Sacramento Chapter, National APWA functions and/or provide exemplary service to their agency/firm, the Sacramento Chapter presents its “Cathy Chan Support Staff of the Year” Award Program. The award is based on consistent or cumulative efforts which have resulted in the enhancement of the Sacramento Chapter, National APWA and/or the Agency/Firm.
To nominate your support staff super stars, please complete the application below and email to Rick Liptak, Awards Chair, at rliptak@dokkenengineering.com by Monday, November 16, 2026.
2026 APWA SSAL Nomination Form
The winner(s) will be announced at the 2025 Support Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, December 4, 2026. The winner(s) will receive a cash prize of $200, along with an engraved plaque commemorating their achievement. Registration for the Luncheon ends November 18th. Register now!
Remembering Cathy Chan
In honor of Cathy Chan — whose dedication, time, and behind-the-scenes contributions strengthened our Chapter in countless ways — the Support Staff Awards will now be known as the Cathy Chan Support Staff Awards.
Cathy Chan worked for Dokken Engineering for 34 years and suddenly passed away in July 2025. She ran the administrative group for the company and was one of those HARD teachers that we all remember and learned so much from. She had a better way to do EVERYTHING that would improve your life and hers.
She supported the Sacramento Chapter since 2000 and was deeply involved in:
- The creation of the Transportation Committee in 2000.
- All Chapter awards for last 20 years, including the Managers of the Year, Projects of the Year, Support Staff, and the Stan Wilkening (Member of the Year) awards.
- Editing, proof reading, and improving Top 10 Public Works Leader nomination submittals for winners Will Kempton, Jerry Way, Ken Grehm, Diane Nakano, Josh Watkins, and Ryan Moore.
- The initiation of the Chapter’s Music Festival in 2017 and coordination of each Music Fest thereafter.
And she won the support staff person of the year award in 2009 when Chapter President, Jerry Way, made Cathy walk all the way to the head table to get a hug from him.
The Sacramento Chapter will miss Cathy Chan and her contributions.
Photo Highlights from the 2025 Support Staff Appreciation Luncheon:
