Silver Beaver Recipients

2024 SB Class

Each and every year the Heart of America Council recognizes a select group of dedicated volunteers with our most prestigious award – The Silver Beaver Award. First introduced in 1931, the Silver Beaver Award is the highest honor a council may present for exceptional service to Scouting. Congratulations to this year's recipients...a truly elite group of Scouters. 

 

 

John Collier

John Collier is an Eagle Scout that comes from a Scouting family which includes his father, two brothers and his son who earned the rank of Eagle and a sister who earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. He currently serves as a Committee Chair for Troops 7249 & 1249, North Star District Chair and Campmaster for the Heart of America Council.

Over the years, he has served as Scoutmaster, Cubmaster at the Unit level and chaired several committees at the North Star and Northern Lights Districts. He has also served as a Summer Camp Commissioner for the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation for 13 years.

In recognition for his service to Scouting, John has received the District Award of Merit and is a James E West Fellow. He is an Ordeal member in the Order of the Arrow and a Chieftain in Micosay.

Outside of Scouting, he is on the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors, a School Board Member for West Platte R-II Schools and the Board of Alderman for the City of Weston.  Professionally, he works with State Farm Insurance Companies and oversees a 4th generation family farm and cattle operation. He is also a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife, Kimberly are the proud parents of 4 sons and 1 daughter.


Brian Bell

Brian Bell is an Eagle Scout and currently serves as the Scoutmaster of Troop 1061 and the Chartered Organization Representative for Pack 3153. His son, Jacob, is also an Eagle Scout.

Over the years Brian has served as a Life to Eagle Coach and Den Leader. At the District and Council level he has serves as the Resource Forum site coordinator with the Jewish Community Center and the Soaring Eagle District Resource Forum. He is also a member of the Council Jewish Committee on Scouting and coordinates the annual cleaning and maintenance of the Jewish Chapel at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. He is a Sachem in Micosay.

Brian has received the Outstanding Unit Leader award for the Soaring Eagle District.

Outside of Scouting, Brian is a CrossFit Coach and is on the steering committee and provided security for the Jewish Culture Festivals at the Jewish Community Center since 1993 and previously, was a middle school girls basketball coach. Professionally, he works at Commerce Bank and is a retired master detective with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.


Donna Brandt

Donna Brandt got into Scouting because of her sons, Frank and Paul, who are both Eagle Scouts. She has been an active member of the Heart of America Council at the Unit and District levels.

She has served as a Den Leader, Committee Chair and Merit Badge Counselor at the Unit level. Donna has served at the District level as Membership Chair, Popcorn Kernel, Program Chair all at the Trailhead District. Additionally, serving on the membership and finance committees with the Kaw District.

Donna has received many awards over her years in Scouting along with the Kaw District Award of Merit and the Shawnee Trails Cathi Maynard Outstanding Scouter. She is currently a Vigil member in the Order of the Arrow and a Sachem in Micosay.

When she is not busy with Scouting, she also volunteers at Brookdale College Square Alzheimers and Memory Care.


Dan Buchman

Dan Buchman is an Eagle Scout along with his son, Joseph. He is currently the Scoutmaster with Troop 100, Order of the Arrow Associate Adviser and as a Merit Badge Counselor.

At the Unit level, he has also served as an Assistant Cubmaster, Treasurer and Committee Member. Over the years, he has served on the National & World Jamboree Food Distribution Team as a member and as a Lead as well as the Twin Rivers District Activities Chairman.

In recognition for his service to Scouting, Dan has received the District Award of Merit and the Order of the Arrow Founder’s Award. He is currently Vigil member in the Order of the Arrow and a Keeper of the Wampum in Micosay.

Outside of Scouting, Dan is a volunteer with the Greater Kansas City Golden Gloves and active member if Omicron Delta Kappa Fraternity. He is also a lifetime member of National Eagle Scout Association. He works for Farmers Insurance Group of Companies and attends Holy Trinity Catholic Church.


Robert Day

Robert Day has been active in Scouting for many years with the sons, Jeremy and Sean who are both Eagle Scouts. He currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 10.  

Over his years in Scouting, he has served as the Scoutmaster, Treasurer, Den Leader and Committee Member at the Unit levels. At the District he has served and chaired on many committees including Day Camp Program Director. He previously as served on the Scouts with Disabilities Committee and the Scouting 500 Planning and Staff in 2017. He is a Sachem in Micosay.

Outside of Scouting, he serves with the Special Needs Community and the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. Professionally, he works for the Mitchell Capital Management. A fun fact is that Robert finished 3rd place at the World Board gaming Championship and is known in his Troop for always wearing shorts & the color orange.


Jeremy Fuksa

Jeremy Fuksa is an Eagle Scout and currently serves as the Committee Chair for Ship 7394. His oldest son is a Life Scout & Apprentice Sea Scout, and his youngest son is a Tenderfoot.

Over his many years in Scouting, he has served Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Venturing Advisor at the Unit levels. He has held various positions in the North Star District and previously earned the District Award of Merit. At the Council level Jeremy has served on several Wood Badge courses and currently is the Alumni Relations Committee Chair. He has also served on the World and National Jamboree staffs.

As a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, Jeremy has served as an Associate Adviser and currently is involved in the THRIVE program. He is also a Warrior in Micosay. Outside of Scouting, he volunteers as a percussion technician for the Staley High School Falcon Brigade.


Kenneth Green

Kenneth Green is a long-term Scouter whose son, Miles, is an Eagle Scout. He currently is an active member of Troop 10 and serves on the Council Board of Directors.

Over the years, he has held numerous positions in the Unit and District levels including Committee Chair of Troop 10 as well as the District Chair and Vice-Chair of Finance for the Soaring Eagle District.

Ken has earned and received several awards for recognition of his service to Scouting including the James E West Fellowship Award and Soaring Eagle District Award of Merit. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and a Sachem in Micosay.

Outside of Scouting, Ken is a member of the Kansas City Society of Financial Analysts and the Economic Club of Kansas City as we the President of the Leawood Lions Club. Professionally, he is the President and Co-Chief Investment officer of Mitchell Capital Management. For Ken, “helping Scouts grow and learn in a safe place is beyond rewarding.”


Bonnie Kubacka

Bonnie Kubacka is a passionate advocate for the aims and ideals of Scouting. She started in Scouts when her sons, Issac and Aaron, joined Troop 0126 and they are both earned the rank of Eagle Scout. She currently serves as the Committee Chair for Troop 6127, Pelathe District Assistant Commissioner and the Council Training Committee Chair.

Over the years, she has served in various Scouting roles, including Committee Chair at the Unit level along with Program Chair and Religious Emblems Coordinator at the District level. At the Council level, Bonnie as served on Wood Badge Course Staff, P.R.A.Y. Counselor and even National Camp School Staff. She has also served as a Commissioner at the H Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in various capacities.

Bonnie has received many awards and recognitions including the District Award of Merit, the Adult God and Service Award and the James E West Fellowship Award. She is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and a Sachem in Micosay.

Outside of Scouting, Bonnie is affiliated with Beta Sigma Phi, Friends of the Prairie Spirt Rail Trail and a member of the Garnett Church of the Nazarene. In her spare time, she enjoys family time with her husband Scott, her daughter Brianna and her sons. She loves to provide a warm welcome to everyone she greets.


James Salisbury

James Salisbury starting in Scouting as a youth earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 1968.  His son Benjamin is also an Eagle Scout and is daughter Christine as earned the Girl Scout Silver Award. He is currently serving as the Committee Member for Troop 264, Three Trails District Committee as well as working with high adventure programs at Philmont Scout Ranch and Northern Tier.

Over the years, he has served in many roles at the Unit and District levels including Cubmaster. In addition to staffing at Philmont and Northern Tier, he has also staffed many camps and trainings including National Jamboree and National Camp School Trek program.

Jim received the District Award of Merit, Scouter’s Key, God and Service Religious Award, James E West Fellowship Award and the Three Trails District Lifetime Achievement Award just to name a few. He has staff at H Roe Bartle Scout Reservation as a youth and continues as an adult.  He is a Vigil in the Order of the Arrow and a Sachem in Micosay.

Jim enjoys “delivering the “Promise of Scouting” through high adventure programs and actively seeing Scouts push themselves to higher heights, building confidence, enhancing self-esteem, developing leadership skills, becoming better citizens and having incredible fun to me is what Scouting is all about.”


Terrel Schimpf

Terrel Schimpf is an Eagle Scout along with his son Creed and daughter Zoe. He is currently an active member of Troops 1394, 7294 & Pack 4394.

Over the years Terrel has served in several roles in the Ozark Trails Council and is currently active in the North Star District with Heart of America Council.

For recognition of his service to Scouting, Terrel has received the District Award of Merit. He is also a Vigil member in the Order of the Arrow and a Warrior in Micosay. He has also received the 10 Year Service pin with the Girls Scouts of America.

Outside of Scouting, he is an active member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church currently serving as a Video Director and volunteers with the Kansas City East Lions Cross Country and Track Teams.

He enjoys his Scoutmaster Eagle conferences as it gives him a chance to remember why he is in Scouting and the impacts we make as leaders. “It’s those ripples in the pond from the stone you may never know the impact you made on a Scout’s life.”