AMECO is honored to announce Bob Walcutt, Executive Director of the Laura Recovery Center, as the recipient of the 2010 annual Joan Taavon Award.

The award acknowledges employees and volunteers of AMECO member organizations who exhibit extraordinary passion and commitment to the field of missing and exploited children. Named in memory of Joan Taavon, who served as President of Maryland's Missing and Exploited Children's Association (MECA) and died in an automobile accident in November 2004.

Robert B. Wieners, Chief of Police of the Friendswood (Texas) Police Department nominated Bob for this prestigious honor, noting Bob "is an extraordinary man with a passion like no other for finding missing children." Chief Wieners further explained "Bob works tirelessly in (the) area of recovery operations. In 2009, the Laura Recovery Center Foundation trained police officers, conducted twelve ground searches, managed 138 missing and abducted cases and generated and produced missing person posters and flyers for 70 cases. He participates in county disaster planning, represents the Center at health and safety fairs, and distributes literature and Child Identification Kits. He epitomizes the Center's motto, "Together Everyone Achieves More."

AMECO applauds Bob's work to protect our younger generation and to locate missing children. Bob served on the AMECO Board of Directors in 2005-2008.

Laura Recovery Center was founded by Bob and Gat Smither, following the abduction and murder of their 12-year old daughter in 1997.

Click here to read about previous Joan Taavon Award recipients.