ASRC Fellows

Introduction and Nomination Requirements

The ASRC established the Fellowship program 4 February 2017 to recognize the contributions of key individuals who contribute in an outsize manner to the success of the organization.

To be considered for this honor, the individual must:

  1. Have been an active member of the ASRC for at least 10 years.
  2. Have been certified at a level of ASRC Field Team Leader or above.
  3. Have exhibited extensive active involvement in lost person search and rescue beyond that of their home search and rescue organization.
  4. Have extensive involvement in the teaching of the art of search and rescue.
  5. Have advanced the art of search and rescue in one or more of:
    • Search or rescue technology,
    • Search management,
    • Search or rescue theory,
    • Search or rescue practice, or
    • Wilderness medicine.

ASRC Fellows recognize those who have contributed to advancing the state of the practice of search and rescue within the Group and within the Conference.

ASRC Fellows 

Class of 2018

Keith Conover – Founding member of ASRC, AMRG, BRMRG,  SMRG, and PSARC, wilderness emergency medicine expert

Nominated: 9 January 2018
BOD Approved: 21 April 2018
Nomination Letter

Robert Koester – noted contributor to search theory and practice

Nominated: 12 January 2018
BOD Approved: 21 April 2018
Nomination Letter

Class of 2019

Don Scelza – storied search manager, wilderness emergency medicine expert

Nominated: 20 September 2017
BOD Approved: 30 March 2019
Nomination Letter

Steve Weiss – longtime fixture in Search and Rescue in Virginia, noted search manager, long term member of SMRG

Nominated: 22 September 2018
BOD Approved: 30 March 2019
Nomination Letter

David Carter – Founding member of Tidewater Search and Rescue Group (former ASRC Group), long term member ASRC, noted individual in Civil Air Patrol and Virginia search and rescue

Nominated: 5 November 2018
BOD Approved: 30 March 2019
Nomination Letter

Gene HarrisonFounding member of ASRC, PVSARG, early member of SMRG, developed ASRC training standards and seat harness

Nominated: 12 January 2019
BOD Approved:30 March 2019
Nomination Letter