About the Award:
This award was established to recognize NAGARA members who, like the award’s namesake, have made significant contributions to promote and enhance the mission of NAGARA. In selecting those who receive this career-recognition award, special weight is given not only to individuals who have had a broad, long-term effect on the association but also on the profession.
About the recipient’s work experiences:
Dr. Bellardo’s distinguished career in public records began at the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives (KDLA) in the 1970s. After receiving his Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky, he served as Assistant State Archivist, then State Archivist in Kentucky for seven years before becoming Director of the venerable Georgia State Historical Society for a few years. He then moved on to his last archival position as Deputy Archivist of the United States at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), from which he retired in December of 2007.
Dr. Bellardo’s efforts led to the Kentucky KDLA Public Records Division being recognized as a national leader among peer institutions. As the State Archivist and Records Administrator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, he obtained a well-deserved reputation as a champion of local archives and records management. As the Kentucky State Archivist and Records Administrator, he oversaw the elevation of the Kentucky Public Records Division to become a model program for other states to emulate. While at his final post at NARA, Dr. Bellardo led a visionary redesign of NARA’s records management program for the entire Federal Government including an emphasis on electronic recordkeeping and was instrumental in the development of the ERA (electronic records archives) program.
About the recipient’s contributions to NAGARA:
While Dr. Bellardo has been active with numerous professional organizations—ICA, SAA, and ISO—to name a few, it is for his dedication to NAGARA, that we honor him today.
Dr. Bellardo was a long-term member and ardent supporter of NASARA (National Association of State Archives and Records Administrators), which in the mid-1980’s became NAGARA (the National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators).
As the organization’s President in 1984 – 1985, he was at the helm working with other senior members in the profession to move from NASARA (with its state government focus) to the broader NAGARA direction of representing all levels of government recordkeeping, e.g., Local, State, and Federal entities. This move was made mainly for two reasons:
1. The recognition that all three levels of government (Local, State, and Federal) shared records related issues, and
2. The expanded focus also meant an expanded membership base, would put the organization in a stronger financial position, and would raise its profile and influence.
During his tenure as president, NAGARA gained credibility with its counterparts in the Council of State Governments and the National Governors Association. In 1985, under Lew’s and Bruce Dearstyne’s vision leadership and guidance, NAGARA conducted a survey of state records. A spate of new state archives facilities in several states followed this report over the next decade.
It was NAGARA's honor to bestow upon the Bruce W. Dearstyne Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Lewis J. (Lew) Bellardo in acknowledgment of NAGARA’s appreciation, esteem, respect and regard for him and his many contributions to our association.