Maryel Battin has served as the Executive Director of the Macon Heritage Foundation since 1983. Throughout her career, she has galvanized preservationists and generated substantial support for historic preservation among Macons citizens and its business and political communities. Far exceeding the usual activities of preservationists, she coordinated efforts with the Macon Housing Authority to provide housing for low to moderate income homeowners in historic neighborhoods, creating a model for communities across the nation. Utilizing revolving funds to acquire and rehabilitate historic houses, the Macon Heritage Foundation then sells them  to individuals and reinvests the proceeds in the revitalization of  another community. Ms. Battins innovative financial planning process vividly illustrates the economic benefits of historic preservation.

Atlantans Helen Catron, Janice Sikes, Barbara Washington, and Charlotte Frazier from Columbus, have all provided leadership and volunteer time to the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network (GAAHPN) from its inception in 1989 to the present.  Each has contributed her own special expertise and commitment to GAAHPN: organization, vision, promotion, and advocacy. Together, they have been responsible for GAAHPN becoming an effective force in historic preservation in Georgia, for coordinating major public awareness activities, and for providing the framework for over 350 Network members to be actively involved in preserving historic properties associated with black history in Georgia. GAAHPN has produced a statewide driving brochure, a poster series, a preservation resource guide, a slide show/video, and numerous workshops and special events - all directed at raising public awareness and involving African Americans in the preservation movement. Most recently, GAAHPN has led a successful effort to gain a permanent, full-time staff position within HPD to coordinate African American preservation programs statewide. Preservation in Georgia has been immeasurably enriched and strengthened due to the volunteer efforts of the GAAHPN Chairs.
 
Bill Frazier, a retired U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service field officer, has been a tireless advocate for Georgias archaeological heritage. Mr. Frazier, a resident of Decatur, has served HPD by voluntarily monitoring Army Corps of Engineers permits and calling HPDs attention to federal permit actions that might impact underwater archaeological sites. He has also advised HPD on considerations for its proposed underwater archaeology program, a major goal of the Division. Through his work with HPD, other DNR divisions, and on related projects, Bill Frazier exemplifies the role avocational archaeologists can play in the development of a statewide archaeology education and protection program.

Georgia Power Company, with headquarters in Atlanta and offices across the state, has shown its commitment to historic preservation in Georgia through its involvement with downtown revitalization initiatives, advocacy for national and statewide preservation issues, financial support for special preservation events, and concern for the preservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites. Georgia Power Company directly contributes to and underwrites the production of numerous public awareness materials sponsored by preservation groups throughout Georgia. Most recently, Georgia Power Company printed HPDs statewide economic benefits study, Profiting From The Past: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Georgia, a collaborative effort among several preservation groups. Georgia Power Company also provided production assistance for the 1993 slide show/video entitled African-American Places in History, printed the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Networks poster series, Preserving Our Heritage - Georgias Black History, and their statewide driving brochure, Preserving The Legacy.
 
Mayor Susan Holmes, City Councilman Stone Workman, City Manager Walter E. Smith, City Clerk Susan Roper, and Historic Preservation Commission Chair Jenny Segal from the City of Monticello were recognized for their active involvement with a comprehensive range of preservation programs. A Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant helped fund the National Register nomination for the Monticello Historic District, listed in 1998. Also in that year, Monticello hosted the Georgia Downtown Design Team that set the framework for rehabilitation planning in downtown Monticello. The City received a second HPF grant for the Benton Block preservation plan which will convert a major department store and other commercial buildings into city government offices, an innovative reuse of  historic buildings. The current Benton Block rehabilitation, involvement with the Better Hometown program, and landscaping of the courthouse square are some of the many preservation-related activities in which these individuals have shown leadership and vision for Monticello. Their enthusiasm, willingness to face difficult situations head-on, and ability to get the job done have been invaluable to furthering both Monticellos and HPDs preservation goals.

Julie D. Morgan of Athens was recognized for her role as project manager for several Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grants for Athens-Clarke County, including local designation reports and public awareness materials. Ms. Morgans role in the successful completion of Georgias recent economic benefits study was singled out for recognition. As Historic Preservation Planner for the Athens-Clarke County Planning Department, Ms. Morgan administered the funding and project management for Phases I and II of a statewide economic benefits study. She coordinated the establishment of an advisory committee, the selection of project consultants and monitored their work while providing back-up resources and serving as a liaison to the various groups involved with the study, including HPD. The end result of the project, Profiting From The Past: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Georgia, was printed and distributed in 1999. The study provides Georgias preservation community with solid evidence of the positive economic effects of historic preservation. Without Ms. Morgans commitment, organizational skills, and enthusiasm, this important project would not have been accomplished.