William T. Nallia Award

The KASA board of directors presents the award annually to an education leader who reflects a spirit of innovation and cutting edge leadership while bringing higher levels of success and learning to all children.

The award is named in honor of Mr. William T. Nallia, a KASA executive director from 1975-1986. Under his leadership, the organization experienced tremendous growth and remained at the forefront of innovation in public education in Kentucky.

2025 Recipients


2025 William T. Nallia Award
Ben Wilcox, State School Security Marshal

Other Leadership Awards

Administrator of the Year

Distinguished Service Award

Wanda Luttrell Office Professional Award

Fred Award  

Superintendent of the Year Award
Year Recipient  Year  Recipient
2025 Ben Wilcox,
State School Security Marshall		  2006

Dr. Bill Braden,
KCA
Gene Wilhoit, 
Former Commissioner of Education
2024 Terrie Morgan,
Hardin County Schools
Jim Allen,
Baird
David Meinschein,
Livingston County Schools
 2005        
Dr. Roland C. Haun, 
KASS
Dr. David Keller, 
KSBA
2023 Renee Shaw,
KET		 2004 Plato Learning 
2022 Ed Massey,
State Representative		 2003 Dr. Blake Haselton 
2021 Julian Tackett,
KHSAA		 2002
 Helen Mountjoy
2020 Kevin Brown,
KY Department of Education		 2001  Tom Willis 
2019 KY Center for School Safety
(Jon Akers)		 2000 Kevin Noland 
2018 Robert "Beau" Barnes,
Teachers' Retirement System
 1999  Senator David Karem 
2017 David Couch,
KY Department of Education		 1998   Joseph W. Kelly
2016 Bob Chenoweth, Dean, 
KY's School Law Practitioners
Roger Marcum, Chairman, 
KY Board of Education
 1997  
Dr. Lois Adams-Rodgers 
2015 Dr. Justin Bathon,
University of KY
Stu Silberman,
Prichard Committee		 1996 
 Forward in the Fifth
2014 Cindy Heine,
Prichard Committee		 1995  The Partnership for KY School Reform 
2013 Mike Carr,
EPSB		 1994  Senator Ed Ford 
2012 Phil Rogers,
EPSB		 1993  W.A. Franklin 
2011 Julia Roberts
for the Gatton Academy		 1992  JCPS Gheens Academy
2010 Dr. Christopher Wagner,
Western KY University
Ms. Rhonda Sims,
KY Department of Education		 1991  Dr. John Brock 
2009

Dr. Angela Wilkins

Dr. Bob Wagoner

 1990 O. Leonard Press 
2008 Dr. Jack Rose,
Murray State University		 1989 Honorable Bert T. Combs
2007 Steve Kimberling 1988  Honorable William H. Natcher 
    1987 The Prichard Committee