Virgil Masayesva was a member of the Hopi tribe and the Director of the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals at Northern Arizona University from it's inception in 1992 until his passing in 2005. Virgil is commemorated for his leadership, dedication, innovation and commitment to the support of tribal air programs; their creation, development, advancement and ultimate success in promoting tribal sovereignty, tribal culture and tribal environmental protection. This award was developed to recognize and perpetuate continuing contributions to that legacy. To learn more about the Virgil Masayesva Environmental Excellence Award and previous awardees please visit the TAMS site.

The Ak-Chin Indian Community Air Quality Program consists of Ralph “Manny” Gomez, Air Quality Specialist, and Roman Orona, Environmental Programs Manager. The Tribe currently conducts an Emissions Inventory, an Air Flag Program, Outreach, PM2.5 Air Monitoring, PM10 Air Monitoring, Seasonal Ozone Monitoring, Radon Testing, and preparing for TAS Submittal to US EPA. Despite the multiple projects, the staff are serving on national and regional programs representing Tribal concerns. Manny is an EPA Region 9 Tribal Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Representative and an Alternate Steering Committee member on the TAMS Steering Committee.  Roman Orona is the current Co-Chair of the EPA Region 9 RTOC.