Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award

2026 – 3rd ANNUAL MIKE RUSHING LEGACY SERVICE AWARD

We are honored to open the nomination period for the 2026 Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award – a recognition created to celebrate individuals whose service, dedication and character reflect the spirit and legacy of Mike Rushing.

2026 Nominations are now being accepted

Deadline to submit: Sunday, March 1, 2026

Submit a Nomination – Help us shine a light on those whose contributions strengthen our industry and communities.

In honor of Mike, and in celebration of this year’s recipient, we invite you to support The Seamen’s Church Institute’s Ministry on the River – a program close to Mike’s heart. Gifts made through this link are fully tax-deductible and will be directed specifically to Ministry on the River, extending care and support to mariners where they live and work.

Donate to Ministry on the River in Mike Rushing’s Honor.

Not sure what you’ll need before submitting a nomination?

Click here for instructions and required materials to help you prepare.

The Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award was developed to honor individuals who embody those characteristics and traits modeled by Mike throughout his life. The honoree selected will serve as a role model for compassion, service, and passion for their community both at home and in the industry.

Award Principles

Community Service
Professional Excellence
Active and Engaged Mentorship

Eligibility and Nomination

Eligibility

TVIB members (TPO Customers, Auditors, and Surveyors); TVIB staff; towboat, tugboat, and barge industry professionals; and U.S. Coast Guard personnel are eligible for this award.
The recipient may be awarded posthumously.
Individuals who have received the award in the past 36 months are not eligible for nomination.
Members of the selection committee are not eligible for nomination.

Nomination

Nominations will be received between January 1st through March 1st.
Nomination forms are available via an ONLINE FORM.

The nominating party and the award recipient will be notified, and the recipient will be asked to submit a short biography and high-resolution photos, including one headshot and images depicting the nominee in service. Recipient information may be released to the media, and utilized on social media platforms, and relevant websites.

Selection Process

Selection Criteria based on the Award Principles:

Examples of projects or programs implemented and sustained that have made a positive impact on their professional or personal community by providing exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to address community challenges while inspiring others to serve.
Examples of dedication to their profession through leadership in forging partnerships and collaborative efforts, industry engagement and mentoring opportunities, and exhibiting excellence through competence, knowledge, and value to the industry while displaying the highest ethical standards.
Evidence of supporting and encouraging through mentorship, leadership activities, and engagement.

Each of the Selection Criteria will be equally weighted during the selection process. The Selection Committee will meet between March 2nd and March 31st to review nomination forms submitted by the deadline and a recipient selected by April 1st.

The Selection Committee will be composed of:

Rushing Family Member
Previous Year’s Recipient
TVIB President
TVIB Chairman
Waterways Journal Representative
Seamen’s Church Institute Representative

Award Presentation

This year’s Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award recipient will be honored during a presentation at the Waterways Journal Annual Inland Marine Expo (IMX) trade show on Friday, May 29th, 2026, in Nashville, TN.

Contribution in Honor of the Recipient

On behalf of the members of TVIB, a financial contribution to the Seamen’s Church Institute Ministry on the River program will be made in honor of the recipient and Mike Rushing.

We encourage others to support this cause by donating directly to The Seamen’s Church Institute through their online portal. Donations made through this link will be considered directed gifts benefiting the Ministry on the River program and are tax-deductible.

Nomination Form

To nominate an individual for the Second Annual Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award use this online form. APPLICATION FORM

Any questions may be directed to legacyserviceaward@gmail.com or contact Tava Foret at (832)-323-3992.