The American Topical Association (ATA) has named Thomas Broadhead, of Knoxville, Tenn., the winner of the 2023 Distinguished Topical Philatelist.
Broadhead will officially receive the 71-year-old honour at this August’s Great American Stamp Show in Cleveland, Ohio.
Established by the ATA in 1952 to honour individuals who have made “significant contributions to topical philately and specifically to the ATA,” according to the award citation. Recipients represent the “highest and best in philatelic experience and service,” the statement added, and as a collector, exhibitor, editor, author, presenter and “all-around philatelic leader, Broadhead certainly fits the description.”
ATA President Dawn Hamman, of Florida, called Broadhead “an incredible ambassador of philately, relaying both the educational value and the fun of the hobby.”
“His warmth and enthusiasm embody the image ATA strives to project.”
Recently retired from his position as the undergraduate admissions director at the University of Tennessee and a former palaeontology and biostratigraphy director, Broadhead taught several honours classes during his career.
In Organized Philately, he has held leadership roles in the Knoxville Philatelic Society (KPS) since 1996, serving as president, secretary, assistant treasurer and show chair. He also writes and edits the club’s monthly newsletter, which received a 2022 gold Star Route Award from the American Philatelic Society (APS). He serves as APS and ATA chapter ambassador for the KPS and became a member of the ATA board in 2019 plus second vice-president a year later.