Former ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA, has been named as the recipient of the Kentucky Historical Society’s 2014 Award of Distinction. Johnston chaired the ARRL Board of Directors Historical Committee during his tenure, which included stints as both a Vice Director and Director. Johnston is president of the Board of Trustees of the Behringer-Crawford Museum (BCM) in Covington, Kentucky, which also received a History Award. According to an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Award of Distinction goes to a volunteer, board member, or member of an organization who has made a significant contribution to state and local history during his or her career.

“Since joining BCM’s board of trustees in 2003, Johnston has had a significant impact on the museum and the communities it serves,” the article said. “During thousands of volunteer hours, he redesigned and upgraded the museum’s computer systems, chaired the committee that revamped its organizational structure, and helped secure more than $2.3 million in funding to complete the museum’s major expansion which opened in 2007.”

Johnston also was credited with applying his technical and creative talents to enhance and promote the museum’s exhibits and events. He currently chairs the museum’s Capital Improvements Committee and has raised more than a quarter-million dollars for additional museum improvements.

In recognition of his service, in 2007, the museum awarded Johnston with its highest honor, the Golden Oar Award, for “those who paddle rather than just sit in the boat,” and, in 2014, he received the Extra Mile Award for outstanding presidential leadership.

Johnston retired in 2013 as an associate professor of music at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). He serves as treasurer of the Kentucky Museum and Heritage Alliance (KMHA).