by the Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee
Are you looking to take a positive step in your leadership journey? Perhaps you are a leader ready to experience a higher level of connection and achievement. If so, we have a terrific opportunity for you.
The Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee seeks to identify two ACB members (one east of the Mississippi River and one from the west) as DKM First-Timers and five ACB members who wish to expand their leadership skills as ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows.
Experience personal growth by participating in many convention activities while you learn and interact with others during the 65th annual ACB Conference and Convention from Friday, July 24 through Friday, July 31, 2026, in St. Louis, Mo. As a DKM First-Timer or ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellow, you will connect with previous recipients and other leaders in ACB.
To be eligible for consideration for either award, you must be age 18 or older, blind or visually impaired, and a current ACB member. For the DKM First-Timer Award, you must have never attended an in-person ACB Conference and Convention either as a member or non-member, and you must be a member for at least two consecutive years of an ACB state or special-interest affiliate, or an ACB member at large serving on an ACB committee. To be eligible for the ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows Award, you must be a member for at least three consecutive years of an ACB state or special-interest affiliate, or an ACB member at large serving on an ACB committee.
If you meet the above requirements, we encourage you to complete the online application form. In addition, a recommendation form must also be submitted on your behalf by the president of your referenced qualifying ACB state or special-interest affiliate. If you are an ACB member at large, the recommendation form must be completed by the chair of the ACB committee on which you serve.
We will begin accepting applications on January 1, 2026. The link to the application form is https://forms.gle/vAPV5CFoVBsjG4f19and the recommendation form can be found at https://forms.gle/gPJKg21tipw4YGqT7. Both forms must be received by the deadline of April 1, 2026.
The next step includes a 30-minute interview with a team from the DKM Committee in mid-April. Following the review of the application and recommendation forms and interviews, selection by the DKM Committee will occur in late April. Two DKM First-Timers — one from east and one from west of the Mississippi River — and five ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows will be selected. The DKM Committee reserves the right to recognize two first-timer recipients from the east or west if there are no qualified applicants from one of the specified areas.
All applicants will be notified shortly thereafter.
If selected for either award, ACB will provide you with round-trip air travel and supporting transportation to convention, hotel accommodations (double occupancy), per diem allowance for meals and incidentals, reception, banquet tickets, the general convention registration fee, and other activities determined by the committee. Funding for tours and other optional activities is not included in the program.
As a recipient, you are responsible to arrange for all necessary accommodations that allow for attendance and full participation in the entire week of in-person convention. This includes attendance at all general sessions as well as participation in other predetermined events.
If you have questions, contact Zelda Gebhard, DKM Committee Chair, at zgeb@drtel.net, or (701) 709-0262.
Take a positive step to unlock your leadership potential and apply to become a 2026 DKM First-Timer or ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellow.