NECCC Honor Awards

2026 Honor Recipients

NECCC has recognized these well-deserving individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to the photographic community with honors that were bestowed on them at Annual Reps Meeting which was held on June 20, 2026. NECCC hopes that their individual clubs will make an announcement to their membership and offer them congratulations as well. For 2026 we have seven Master Member (MNEC) recipients.

Submitted by the NECCC Honors Committee: Michael Goodman, MNEC, Chair, Dana Patch, MNEC, and Chris Germain, HonNEC

Kevin Fay, Master Member (MNEC)

Kevin Fay is recognized for his tireless work transforming the Springfield Photographic Society from being relatively unknown to a real presence in western Massachusetts. For his dedication to promoting the club in the community, being the public face of the Springfield club with over 25 public photography exhibits of their members’ work during his presidency; for his outstanding and long service to the Springfield Photographic Society serving in many administrative positions; for coordinating and conducting photography workshops within the club and at local museums and libraries; for leading numerous field trips; for serving as a judge at Springfield and other NECCC clubs and serving as NECCC representative; for his award winning photographic achievements in Springfield Photographic Society and publication in Outdoor Magazine and the Springfield Republican; for a 75 print exhibition at Agawam Public Library inspiring others to see the beauty of prints.

John Gill, Master Member (MNEC)

John is being acknowledged for his years of service to the Assabet Valley Camera Club as President, Treasurer, and NECCC club representative. For filling many other roles within Assabet Valley Camera Club and receiving The Lifetime Membership Award for his continuous work. For contributing as a judge and for his achievements as an award-winning photographer in competitions at Assabet Valley, Gateway Camera Club, PSA, and NECCC. For providing guidance to new members and those new to photography; for his readiness to volunteer wherever he sees a need. For his service to the community through the club’s meeting place at the Hudson Senior Center, where he has assisted seniors in selling used equipment at credible prices. For serving as role model where he is always looking out for others.

Ellen Kawadler, Master Member (MNEC)

Ellen is being honored for her exceptional service to the Stony Brook Camera Club in numerous positions including President, Vice President, Program Committee Chair, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster; for organizing software related Special Interest Groups; for her delivery of numerous programs for the Stony Brook Camera Club and other NECCC clubs; for serving as a competition judge; for being an exceptional teacher, a great resource to club members for many years offering her time and talents; for her photographic accomplishments including numerous published images; for her photography awards in NECCC and Stony Brook excelling in many types of photography, including nature, black and white, macro and landscape.

David Marshak, Master Member (MNEC)

David is being recognized because of his broad, sustained contributions as a club leader, judge, mentor, educator, technologist and community volunteer as well as his positive impact on the Stony Brook Camera Club, NECCC and wider photographic community. As a long-time member of Stony Brook serving as club president, vice-president, secretary, parliamentarian, longtime Program and Competition Committee member as well as chair of the Technology Committee. For service to the NECCC community as a judge, external commenter as well as authoring articles for club/NECCC publications. For supporting community and charitable causes (including the Pan Mass Challenge) through his photography and his extensive volunteering. For his multiple achievements and awards in photography as well as providing lectures and workshops on competition rules, street and mobile photography, leading photo-walks and mentoring.

Tara Marshall, Master Member (MNEC)

Tara has been a member of Photographic Society of Rhode Island for 14 years and has demonstrated sustained, exemplary service to PSRI, NECCC, and the broader New England photographic community through leadership, administration, education, judging, and recognized photographic achievement- For years serving as Print Competition Chairperson, coordinating PSRI’s End-of-Year Banquet and providing support for PSRI’s website. For presenting numerous technical programs and hands-on print mounting presentations, for serving as the NECCC Interclub Print Competition Chairperson, for actively supporting and managing activities promoting increased member participation in PSRI and NECCC competitions. For her photographic achievements including PSRI and NECCC competitions and international publications.

Kathy Murphy, Master Member (MNEC)

Kathy is being honored for her many contributions to Greater Lynn Photographic Association, Massachusetts Camera Naturalists and PSA. For serving as president and providing leadership to the organization. For instituting new processes including the New Member Meet and Greet Socials, where new members can meet with officers and committee chairs in a small informal setting; the newly formed Advisory Committee to the Board of Directors, that provides a link from the membership to the Board; Meet-Ups for spontaneous photo opportunities; and events such as workshops and a successful “Dog-A-Rama” (dogs on the beach) photo shoot. For conducting annual membership surveys to get both positive and critical feedback from the membership. For her outstanding award-winning photographic skill competing in GLPA, NECCC, and PSA. For promoting photography through her work with various Arts Councils to bring Fine Art Photography to the public as well other clubs. For Kathy’s innovative ideas and work ethic to keep the membership active and interested.

Gert Perry, Master Member (MNEC)

Gert Perry is being honored for her extensive service to Charter Oak Photographic Society, Inc. and to camera clubs of the New England Camera Club Council. Recognized as the “energizer bunny” of Charter Oak, she is always willing to step in to help while maintaining her enthusiasm and positive attitude. She has volunteered her time and energies to the club in multiple roles for well over almost two decades including serving as a President, Board member, and Membership Chair. She is being recognized for her active and long participation as member of the Field Trip Committee, the Nomination and Service Award Committees; For leading small group critique discussions and presenting topics at club meetings and generously sharing her time assisting other camera clubs as a judge as well as offering critiques at Charter Oak.

Congratulations to the 2026 Honor Award recipients!!

2025 Honor Recipients

Rhonda Cullens, Honorary Member (HonNEC)

Rhonda receives this honor for her longtime service to the NECCC. She has continued since receiving her MNEC in 2017 to contribute wholeheartedly to NECCC, Flagpole Photographers and the amateur photographic communities through the continued sharing her travel, nature and bird programs to camera clubs throughout the area. Rhonda is a much sought after judge for many reasons not the least of which are her photographic skills and constructive comments. She continues to maintain the very well organized and informative Club Services Packet for NECCC. She has been an instrumental part of the success of the Keeping Clubs Active program. Her extensive involvement in administration, lecturing and judging for the organizations to which she belongs exemplary. Most importantly her enthusiasm is contagious and inspires others.

Robert (Bob) Pelland, Master Member (MNEC)

Bob receives this honor for his longtime service to the Greater Lynn Photographic Association. Bob has been a member of GLPA since 2016. In that time, Bob has strived to make GLPA a better place for members to meet, learn, and grow as photographers. As a member of the Board of Directors since 2019, he has used his civil engineering background to assist the GLPA building committee. He chairs the monthly print group, and teaches those who are new to print making how to use the club printers. He developed a system to project print competitions on the wall-mounted screen to ensure that everyone has a good view of the prints. Bob’s prints are often award winners in GLPA, NECC, and PSA competitions. In 2019 he received a Bronze Distinction, BPSA, from the Photographic Society of America for his print portfolio ”Architecture: Melding Beauty and Function.” He has exhibited his prints with GLPA at the Demakes YMCA of Lynn and at Lynn City Hall. Bob’s philosophy is that we are all on the same journey and helping others to learn is an outstanding experience.

David Young, Master Member (MNEC)

Dave receives this honor for his dedicated service to the Greater Lynn Photographic Association officially as VP on the Board of Directors (2021 to Present) and as Landscape Study Group Leader, stepping up when the former leader’s resignation placed the future of the group in jeopardy. In addition to his official duties, he works at anything he is asked to do such as set-ups and tear-downs for special meetings and workshops. He also enters the two yearly exhibitions and helps with the prints for the exhibitions. David is also a 3-year member of Mass Camera Naturalists (CamNats) and recently took on the 2-year position of Vice Chairman when no one else stepped forward. David is a member of PSA since 2024 and has worked on several PSA Print Interclub Competitions held at GLPA. Although not a formal lecturer, David has mentored many GLPA members as Landscape group leader and through participation in the club’s “Behind the Images/Prints” program. David is an accomplished photographer who now competes in GLPA’s Master’s Print class where he has won many ribbons and awards and is now tied for first place for the year. GLPA frequently uses David’s prints in interclub competitions for PSA and he enters the NECCC Individual Print competitions each year. David is active in several Art Associations where he brings Fine Art Photography to the general public.

Neil Zobler, Master Member (MNEC)

Neil has achieved this honor for his longtime devotion and commitment to the Candlewood Camera club and beyond; for his willingness to assist with whatever is needed, stepping up to the plate to take over duties when others have no longer been able or willing to do so; for his generosity in offering his time, experience and expertise as a talented photographer to present programs to the Candlewood Camera membership; for organizing and leading trips and workshops to NYC, Cuba and Iceland; for representing Candlewood as one of its judge ambassadors with critiques that are objective, insightful and helpful to all levels of photographers; for happily assisting new and current members to improve their photography through his workshops on Street Photography and Travel Photography; for serving as a great role model and mentor; for raising public and community interest in photography through his presentations at the Danbury Library, Sherman Library, New Fairfield Library, Great Hollow and Florida Camera Club Council; for helping to update several sections of the club’s website site and drafting, and modifying and updating the club’s bylaws.