During the 2009 International Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, The IIA presented its annual awards recognizing professionals throughout the world who have achieved success in the internal audit field and have contributed to advancing the profession.

One of The IIA’s most prestigious awards, The Victor Z. Brink Award for Distinguished Service, was presented to Stephen L. Morgan, former city auditor in Austin, Texas. Morgan was recognized for his extraordinary global contributions to the internal audit profession through consistent and exemplary IIA involvement and service. James Pelletier, senior audit manager for the County of San Diego, Calif., received the John B. Thurston Award for Literary Excellence for his article, “Adding Risk Back Into the Audit Process,” which was published in the August 2008 issue of Internal Auditor magazine.

The IIA presented several other awards for volunteer service and achievement during the International Conference and at its Leadership Conference in April, including:

• Donald E. Ricketts Chapter Research Award. This award is presented to IIA chapters submitting the best research projects during the year. The IIA–Dallas Chapter received first place for its project, “Awareness of SAS 70 Reports and Its Application Among Internal Auditors.”
• Esther R. Sawyer Award. Emily Ray, a student at the University of Texas at Dallas, won this award — which is presented to a college student who submits the most compelling manuscript relating to modern internal auditing — for her paper, “Adding Value: How Modern Internal Auditing Assists Organizations in Achieving Strategic Objectives.”
• Membership Award. This award is presented to three chapters that are using innovative techniques to recruit and retain IIA members. The IIA–Colorado Springs Chapter received first place, and the IIA–Tidewater, Va., Chapter and the IIA–Charlotte, S.C., Chapter took second and third places, respectively.
• International Mastering Advocacy Program (IMAP). The IMAP award is presented to chapters and institutes engaged in advocacy campaigns to promote the profession around the world. The IIA–Atlanta Chapter was recognized for its efforts to promote professionalism and internal auditing through training and media relations. IIA–Botswana was recognized for its unique events and media relations targeting government officials and other stakeholders.
• John B. Thurston Outstanding Contributor Awards. Rick Julien, Todd Richards, Norman Marks, Paul Zikmund, Ahmad Sartip, Barbara Adams, and Ann Winstead were recognized for their articles in Internal Auditor magazine, which were judged the best by The IIA’s Communications Advisory Committee.
• William S. Smith Awards. These awards are presented to the highest scoring candidates of the Certified Internal Auditor exam. Wendee Shinsato, senior auditor at California State University in Long Beach, received the Gold Award; Ricky Navarro, of the National Power Corp. received the Silver Award; and Luke Lammer, audit associate with McGladrey & Pullen received the Bronze Award.
• William S. Smith Student Highest Achievement Award. Yves Damoiseau, CIA, internal audit analyst with Goldman Sachs and Co., received this award for earning the highest student score for the Certified Internal Auditor exam.