NECCC Honor Awards

Coming Soon — Honor Recipients for 2026

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.