2024 Parker Impact Award Recipients

2024 Parker Impact Award Recipients

The Rotary Club of Parker is happy to announce the recipients of the 2024 Parker Impact Awards. This award is given annually to individuals/groups who have devoted countless hours of compassionate and loving care to our community.

Mike Waid

Mike Waid is a 20-year Parker resident and has served the citizens of Parker as the Town’s sixth Mayor (2012 to 2020) following one term as a Councilmember (2008 to 2012). Numerous major Town projects occurred during Mike’s time as an elected official, including construction of the Parker Fieldhouse, Parker Police Department, PACE Center, the Public Works Operations Center, Parker Library and Discovery Park. He joined the Douglas County Community Foundation as Executive Director in 2021, assisting locally operating nonprofit organizations in Douglas County with financial grants, organizational and operational guidance, philanthropic promotion, and in many other capacities. He also was the founder and owner of Waid Publishing, the publisher of monthly community magazines serving Parker, Castle Rock and Lone Tree among other communities. Currently, he is president/CEO of Mike Waid & Associates Inc., a full-service marketing agency.

He has a deep love for community and nonprofit service. Over his time in Colorado, he has help found several nonprofit organizations including the Space EGGsploration Foundation and the APEX Dance Theater Foundation.

Nate Smith

Nate has served two terms as Scoutmaster of Troop 16, Parker's oldest and biggest troop – 2001-2005 and 2018-2023. In addition, he has served Boy Scouts as a committee chair, den leader, assistant scoutmaster, cubmaster, district advancement chair, and council advancement committee member. Currently, he is the council representative for Troop 16, Pack 369 and a brand-new Venture Crew.

He first joined Troop 16 as a boy in 1989, became an Eagle Scout in 1995, an adult leader in 1998, and have 8 years of scoutmaster and multiple years serving as an assistant scoutmaster, committee member and merit badge counselor. Under his leadership, Troop 16 came through the COVID pandemic with the most active and largest troop in the Denver Area Council.

In addition to supporting youth in scouting, he is currently the Englewood High School Assistant Principal/Athletic & Activity Director (June 2016-present) and prior to that was the Aurora Central High School Assistant Principal (August 2014-June 2016). He served as a member of the Colorado High School Activities Association Board of Directors twice, including during the COVID pandemic, to support youth statewide participating in high school sports and activities.