At the 2026 conference, the TIME Task Force will present awards for the seven categories shown below, and we’d like your nominations for those people you feel best exemplify the qualities for award. If you know someone who fits one of these descriptions, please consider nominating them by providing a brief description of their accomplishments and commitments within the TIM community. 

*Each nomination requires that you submit a new nomination form. While an individual can be nominated for more than one award, they are only eligible to win one award. 

Nominations are open until Friday, July 31, at 5:00 p.m. EDT

 

For questions, please contact info@timetaskforce.com.

Gary Millsaps Award

The Gary Millsaps Award, TIME (Traffic Incident Management Enhancement) Task Force's most prestigious and lifetime achievement award, honors an individual who has shown exemplary dedication and contribution to traffic incident management (TIM) efforts in the state and within their agency. This award is in memory of the late Gary Millsaps, who was a standout leader and pioneer for TIM in the state of Georgia. Millsaps dedicated more than 20 years of his life to TIM and operations and left a legacy of bettering incident clearance and making roadways safer for everyone on them.

Nominations should describe the individual’s accomplishments, leadership roles, measurable achievements, innovative practices, training efforts, committee involvement, partnerships, and overall impact on improving TIM within their agency, region, or across Georgia.

TIM Team of the Year Award

The TIM Team of the Year Award recognizes a multidisciplinary team that exemplifies excellence in TIM through exceptional collaboration, coordination, and commitment to public safety. Successful TIM Teams unite law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, transportation agencies, towing and recovery professionals, emergency management, and other partners to safely and efficiently manage roadway incidents. 

The selected team will demonstrate outstanding performance in reducing incident clearance times, enhancing responder safety, minimizing secondary crashes, improving interagency communication, and implementing innovative practices that support the National Unified Goal of responder safety, safe quick clearance, and prompt, reliable interoperable communications. 

Nominations should highlight the team’s accomplishments, including measurable results, successful multi-agency coordination, training initiatives, innovative solutions, special projects, significant incident responses, and contributions that have positively impacted TIM and roadway safety in Georgia. 

Individual of the Year Award

The Individual of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding TIM professional whose leadership, dedication, and commitment have significantly advanced the mission of the Georgia TIME Task Force. 

This award honors an individual who consistently demonstrates exceptional collaboration across agencies, promotes responder safety, supports safe and efficient roadway clearance, and serves as a champion for TIM through leadership, training, mentoring, and innovation. 

Recipients should exemplify professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to improving TIM while inspiring others through their service and contributions. 

Nominations should describe the individual’s accomplishments, leadership roles, measurable achievements, innovative practices, training efforts, committee involvement, partnerships, and overall impact on improving TIM within their agency, region, or across Georgia. 

TRIP Tower of the Year Award

The TRIP Towing & Recovery Provider of the Year Award recognizes a Georgia Department of Transportation Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP) provider that consistently demonstrates excellence in supporting safe and rapid clearance of incidents involving commercial motor vehicles. 

This award honors a company that exemplifies professionalism, operational excellence, safety, and strong partnerships with public safety agencies. The selected recipient will demonstrate exceptional response capabilities, reliability, highly trained personnel, specialized equipment, and a commitment to minimizing roadway disruptions while protecting responders and motorists. 

Nominations should highlight the company’s accomplishments, including successful recoveries, response performance, safety record, training and certifications, innovative recovery techniques, teamwork with partner agencies, and contributions that enhance Georgia’s TIM program. 

Rodney Pickle CHAMP Operator of the Year Award

The Rodney Pickle CHAMP Operator of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program (CHAMP) operator who exemplifies the dedication, leadership, professionalism, and commitment to service that Rodney Pickle demonstrated throughout his career. This award stands as a tribute to his legacy and serves to inspire excellence in incident management across Georgia.

The recipient will demonstrate excellence in assisting stranded motorists, supporting emergency responders, managing incidents safely and efficiently, promoting quick clearance, and serving the traveling public with compassion and professionalism.

Nominations should include examples of the Operator’s accomplishments, outstanding customer service, incident response performance, leadership, safety record, teamwork, community impact, and contributions that reflect Rodney Pickle’s legacy of excellence.

HERO Operator of the Year Award

The HERO of the Year Award recognizes a Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) who consistently demonstrates exceptional professionalism, dedication, and performance in serving motorists and supporting emergency response operations throughout metro Atlanta.

HEROs are often the first to arrive at traffic incidents, providing critical roadside assistance, traffic control, and support that helps restore traffic flow while protecting responders and the traveling public.

The selected recipient will exemplify sound decision-making, outstanding customer service, reliability, teamwork, and the ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations while maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Nominations should highlight the operator’s accomplishments, notable incident responses, customer service, leadership, safety performance, mentoring efforts, and contributions that have strengthened Georgia’s TIM program.

TMC Operator of the Year Award

The Transportation Management Center (TMC) Operator of the Year Award recognizes an operator whose outstanding performance enhances statewide traffic operations through exceptional situational awareness, communication, and coordination.

TMC operators play a vital role in monitoring roadway conditions, coordinating incident response, disseminating timely traveler information through 511GA and other communication systems, and supporting partner agencies during routine and major incidents.

The selected recipient will demonstrate excellence in decision-making, operational efficiency, customer service, teamwork, and the ability to effectively manage complex traffic situations while maintaining accurate and timely communications.

Nominations should describe the operator’s accomplishments, leadership, innovative practices, operational excellence, incident management performance, contributions to interagency coordination, customer service, and measurable impact on improving traffic operations and roadway safety.

*If submitting a nomination for TIM Team of the Year, please put for "Nominee Name" a point of contact to communicate with on behalf of the TIM Team.

Please provide your own contact information as the person nominating someone for an award.