IECA Partners for Excellence Program 

The Partners for Excellence Nomination Process is currently closed.

The purpose of the IECA Partners for Excellence Program is to recognize and reward IECA chapters that have taken the initiative to better serve not only the members of their chapters, but also the public in general. Innovation, chapter involvement, measurable results and application are key criteria. We are looking for both process improvements and best practice or model programs to award and recognize. Nominations will open in August 2025.

Leadership Development:

Activities which encourage strong leadership at a chapter level, including volunteer recruitment, developing new leaders, and chapter succession planning would be included in this category.

Innovative Education:

Continuing education initiatives that target unique populations or unique methods of providing education are examples of appropriate submissions in this category.

Career Development:

The International Erosion Control Association supports career development and the growth of the next generation of erosion control, sediment control and stormwater management professionals. This category focuses on activities which assist industry professionals, in any stage of their career, in developing their career path.

Communications and Outreach:

Recognizes the chapter that is consistent in outbound communications and outreach to members. The category looks at strategies, execution and methods of contact and how they relate to obtaining the chapter's goals.

Membership Recruitment:

Recognizes the chapter with the highest number of new members who joined during the awards year, as a percentage of their total chapter membership.

Membership Retention:

Recognizes the chapters with the highest percentage of renewed members over the course of the awards period.

Rick Granard Award of Distinction:

Named for IECA’s past Board President and Chapter Development Committee chair. Rick was devoted to Chapter progress and excellence. This award is IECA’s highest honor given to a Chapter.

Past Winners

2025

Leadership Development: South Central Chapter
Innovative Education: Australasia Chapter
Career Development: Australasia Chapter
Communications and Outreach: South Central Chapter
Membership Recruitment: Australasia Chapter
Membership Retention: Pacific Northwest Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Australasia Chapter

2024

Leadership Development: Australasia Chapter
Innovative Education: Great Lakes Chapter
Career Development: Australasia Chapter
Communications and Outreach: Australasia Chapter
Membership Recruitment: Australasia Chapter
Membership Retention: Pacific Northwest Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Southeast Chapter

2023

Leadership Development: Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Innovative Education: Southeast Chapter
Career Development: Australasia Chapter
Communications and Outreach: Australasia Chapter
Membership Recruitment: Mountain States Chapter
Membership Retention: Pacific Northwest Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Australasia Chapter

2022

Leadership Development: Great Lakes Chapter
Innovative Education: Southeast Chapter
Career Development: Australasia Chapter
Communications and Outreach: Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Membership Recruitment: South Central Chapter
Membership Retention: Iberoamerica Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Australasia Chapter

2021

Leadership Development: Western Chapter
Innovative Education: Southeast Chapter
Career Development: Southeast Chapter
Communications and Outreach: Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Membership Recruitment: Canada Chapter
Membership Retention: Iberoamerica Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Mid-Atlantic Chapter

2020

Leadership Development: Southeast Chapter
Innovative Education: Southeast Chapter
Career Development: Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Communications and Outreach: Mountain States Chapter
Membership Recruitment: Great Lakes Chapter
Membership Retention: Canada Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Southeast Chapter

2019

Leadership Development: Iberoamerica Chapter
Innovative Education: Southeast Chapter
Career Development: Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Communications and Outreach: Pacific Northwest Chapter
Membership Recruitment: Iberoamerica Chapter
Membership Retention: Canadian Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Mid-Atlantic Chapter

2018

Leadership Development: Canadian Chapter
Innovative Education: Southeast Chapter
Career Development: Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Communications and Outreach: Western Chapter
Membership Recruitment: Canadian Chapter
Membership Retention: Iberoamerican Chapter & Great Rivers Chapter
Rick Granard Award of Distinction: Mid-Atlantic Chapter