The CalABA Awards Luncheon carries on a tradition that began during the 1980’s when Fred Skinner and Fred Keller put on skits at the Association for Behavior Analysis annual convention. People still ask “Were you there?” about Glenn Latham’s address at the 1999 CalABA Awards Luncheon. Don’t miss out on this year’s luncheon. Pre-register for the conference and the luncheon in order to assure your presence at this event, as it is expected to sell out quickly, and on-site registration for the luncheon is likely to be very limited.

2004 CalABA Outstanding Contributor
Award to Montrose Wolf, Ph.D.

Ever wonder who defined the field of applied behavior analysis, including providing the name? Start by reading the very first article in the very first issue of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. There you will see the name of Montrose Wolf, along with Don Baer and Todd Risley. Many of you were fortunate to hear Dr. Wolf’s keynote address at the 2003 CalABA conference. Learn more about this founder of the field of applied behavior analysis at the luncheon while we honor Dr. Wolf and his innumerable contributions.

2004 Recipient of the Julie Vargas Award

The deadline for applying for this award has been extended. All submissions must be received by January 15, 2004. Go to calaba.org for details and to download the application. If you are a faculty member or colleague of a student researcher, please bring the extended deadline to his or her attention. All applicants must be members of CalABA, register for the conference, and agree to be present at the 2004 Awards Luncheon.

This award was initially established through a donation by Julie Vargas, Ph.D. to the Northern California Association for Behavior Analysis (NCABA) to promote research by students in the field of behavior analysis. Last year the award, which includes a cash prize, went to Adel C. Najdowski of the University of Nevada, Reno for her research on Parental Assessment and Treatment of Food Selectivity in Natural Settings. In 2003 Drs. Julie and Ernest Vargas very generously renewed the endowment for this award. This year’s award will be presented by Julie Vargas. (insert photo of Julie Vargas)

Tribute to Michael Hemingway

Michael Hemingway played a critical role in establishing certification for the field of applied behavior analysis, first in Florida and then nationally and internationally. In his position at the Florida Department of Children and Families he was tireless in his efforts to promote quality services for those at risk. Tragically, Michael was killed in May 2003 in a motorcycle accident. We in California are deeply indebted to Michael for the work he did to help ensure quality behavioral services for children and adults regulated by the Department of Education and the Department of Developmental Disabilities through the certification of behavior analysts by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, on which Michael also served.

Keynote Speaker

Gary Priest, Curator of Behavior,
San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park

Behavior Modification – Reviewing Advances in Exotic Animal Management

Gary Priest has nearly 30 years of experience with the care, training, and exhibition of a wide variety of exotic marine and terrestrial mammals and birds. Priest is the Zoological Society of San Diego’s Curator of Applied Behavior. His department is responsible for developing behavior management plans for the animal collection at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. In addition, Priest is currently serving as President of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, a national organization formed for the advancement of animal welfare through behavior management. Priest is a consulting editor for The Shape of Enrichment newsletter, an international publication dedicated to disseminating information to zoo professionals on behavioral and environmental enrichment. He is also a consulting employee to the Science Applications International Corporation, (SAIC) Bio-Solutions Division. Priest has published over a dozen professional papers on animal behavior management.

Priest was a founder and co-director of the nationally recognized Therapy for a Damaged Planet, Inc., an innovative conservation/education project. In addition to formal environmental studies at San Diego State University, the project offered selected university students the opportunity to participate in field conservation work in rainforest habitats.

Gary began his career in 1970 as an animal trainer for Sea World of California. Prior to joining the Zoological Society of San Diego in 1983, he served as an animal behavior consultant to the American Broadcasting Company in Dallas and to Marine World/Africa USA in San Francisco. Now, in addition to his current position, Gary frequently consults with other zoological institutions around the USA and internationally.