
What is a “pioneer”?
Merriam-Webster defines a “pioneer” as someone who “helps open up a new line of thought or activity, or a new method or technical development.”
We are honored to present the PCOR Partnership Pioneer Awards. The people we honor are true partners and strong advocates of the PCOR Partnership in every sense of the word.
List of Past Pioneer Winners
Below is a listing of award winners along with the name of their associated company when they were honored.
2024
John Litynski, EQT Corporation
Dale Johnson, Dakota Gasification


2023
Kate Ryan, Denbury Resources Inc.
2022
Wade Boeshans, Summit Carbon Solutions
Mike Holmes, Lignite Energy Council


2021
Dustin Willett, Red Trail Energy
Gerald Bachmeier, Red Trail Energy
Past Winners (2007 - 2020)
2020
None
2019
Chuck McConnell, University of Houston
2018
The Honorable John Hoeven (R-ND)
2017
Stacey Dahl, Minnkota Power Cooperative
Bill Sawyer, ALLETE Clean Energy
Scott Wehner, Denbury Resources Inc.
2016
Wayne Rowe, Schlumberger Carbon Services
2015
Robert Benson, North American Coal Corporation
Neil Wildgust, Global CCS Institute
2014
Jim Erdle, Computer Modelling Group, Ltd.
Dwight Peters, Schlumberger Carbon Services
2013
Howard Miller, Denbury Resources Inc.
Russ Welch, Denbury Resources Inc.
Jim Rawson, Denbury Resources Inc.
Mike Jones, Lignite Energy Council
2012
Ned Leonard, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity
2011
Tom Olle, Denbury Resources Inc.
Dr. Stefan Bachu, Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
2010
None
2009
Jeff Burgess, Lignite Energy Council
Ron Ness, North Dakota Petroleum Council
2008
Bob Dambach, Prairie Public Broadcasting
Steve Melzer, Melzer Consulting
2007
Lynn Helms, North Dakota Industrial Commission
Greg Steiner, Ballantyne Oil, LLC
Bob Mau, Eagle Operating Inc.
Bill Jackson, Apache Canada