RPI Honors Tom McCauley, CRP with the Recognition Champion Award
AUSTIN, TX – July 16, 2025 – Recognition Professionals International (RPI) honored Tom McCauley, CRP, Chief Human Resources Officer, Aspen Valley Health, with the Recognition Champion Award in honor of Pamela Sabin. The awards were presented during the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) Summit Awards program earlier this week at the annual IMA Summit in Austin, Texas.
The Recognition Champion Award was established in 2000 to honor Pamela Sabin, a founding member of RPI and a dedicated advocate for employee recognition. This award recognizes individuals who embody the qualities of a recognition champion by:
- Demonstrating leadership in spreading the message of recognition within their organization.
- Exhibiting passion and overcoming obstacles to promote recognition principles.
- Creating ongoing recognition programs that emphasize measurement and commitment.
- Serving as role models for recognition practices through their words and actions.
As Chief Human Resources Officer at Aspen Valley Health, Tom is committed to fostering a culture of recognition. To strengthen this commitment, he earned his CRP certification, enabling him to lead his team using a structured recognition framework.
Reflecting on the importance recognition plays in the workplace, Tom says, “Leaders must lead by example. This is not just an HR thing. This is an organization-wide, culture-thing. So many are suffering from not hearing enough of a job well done or a statement of appreciation on a regular basis. Recognition done well helps us think about others ahead of ourselves.”
His nominee cited: “There is no one more deserving of the Recognition Champion award than Tom McCauley. Despite his senior leadership role at Aspen Valley Health, Tom remains deeply connected to the core of what recognition is all about. It’s rare to see someone at his level so personally invested in making sure every individual feels valued — a commitment typically seen more often in frontline managers or program administrators. Long before earning his CRP certification in March, he was already traveling and speaking about the importance of workplace recognition. He lived the mission before he even knew there was an entire industry dedicated to it.”
Tom is an advocate for the profound psychological and physiological benefits of recognition in meeting fundamental human needs. At Aspen Valley Health, he ensures that service awards are not only meaningful but also reflect the organization’s genuine appreciation for its employees. Whether through a thoughtful gift or a heartfelt message, Tom emphasizes the importance of delivering recognition in a timely and authentic way, making sure every gesture resonates and reinforces a culture of gratitude.