Editor’s Note: This article is part of our series of highlighted exemplar recognitions. See our introduction post for all the details, or view all the posts in this series. This article was written by New Hampshire Area Rep Christopher Wendelboe.

Rick Salamin is a Level 2 Judge from Essex, Vermont. His recognitions this wave focus on work as a Judge Manager of several Grand Prix events, and come from judges around the world:

Rick, dare I say it, you are the best Judge Manager I’ve worked it. No, this is still not enough, you are one of the best people I’ve worked it. Yes, that sounds better. Several times you’ve showed that you cared personally to other people, as a simple example, we were at Gen Con and you asked me if I’ve seen a person because you were concerned with something that person posted in social media about an embarrassing situation that happened to her. Not to count all your guidance and patience helping out the Judge Staff the best way possible and creating a bridge between Judges and the TO. If people were 10% as solicit and caring as you, I’d think to myself, what a wonderful World. – Antonio Zanutto

Rick, your efforts during GP SeaTac on Sides on Sunday made my position irrelevant. I got to sit on the stage and look serious while you did the hard work of corralling judges to the right locations. Your experience and knowledge not only made my life easier, but ensured the players had a top caliber experience. You paid back my trust in you a thousandfold. Thank you! – Louis Fernandes

Dear Rick, You are, quietly, one of the best Level 2s in the program. I have been excited to see you stepping into some larger roles and taking on bigger challenges around events. I was particularly impressed with your work as the staff manager for Grand Prix Vancouver especially as the event grew and you were put in a position to bring in additional staff. Your communication around additional staff was always clear and timely, and I was impressed by the group of judges that answered your call. On site, I continued to be impressed with your work managing the often hectic role of judge manager. I look forward to seeing you continue to take on new challenges withing the judge program. – Jared Sylva

Here’s what Christopher Wendelboe had to say about these recommendations:

Rick is an L2 from Essex, Vermont. I first met Rick at the event I certified at, and over the years since then he has proven time and again that he is one of the friendliest, most knowledgeable, and most helpful judges you will ever get the opportunity to work with. The primary focus of his recognitions, 5 of the 7 this wave, were for his efforts as judge manager for GP Vancouver and Quebec. The words said speak very well to how good of a job Rick did with these positions, but the thing that astounded me was that these came from judges spanning 4 countries, on 3 continents. In addition to taking on these new roles, Rick is involved in multiple projects including managing the Premiere Event Staff Lists and Photos project and being the area representative for Vermont. Rick’s efforts in the program have really touched the lives of many throughout the world and I am very thankful for counting him among my mentors, my peers, and my friends.