The Boss Award
The Boss Award was the idea of Eric Bradshaw, who wanted to give thanks to Ruth Fink-Winter for her widespread work within the community.
Designed by Bruce Cutter, the first award was presented at the NYC Con in 1998. Since then, a Boss Award has been presented (generally by the previous year's recipient) once annually at a National Rocky Horror Convention. As the List of Conventions grows, so does the list of Boss Award winners.
Boss Award nominations can be suggested by anyone in the community, but are ultimately voted on by a committee of previous winners, who also fund the manufacture of the plaques.
List of Boss Award Recipients
• Ruth Fink-Winter ~ April 1998 (awarded at NYC '98 in New York)
• Bruce Cutter ~ October 1998 (awarded at ROCKYCON '98 in Las Vegas)
• Jim "Cosmo" Hetzer ~ April 1999 (awarded at Rocky Rocks the Rockies in Denver)
• Bill Brennan ~ October 1999 (awarded at El Fishnet Fiesta in Tucson, AZ)
• Stephanie Freeman ~ October 1999 (awarded at Transylvania 1999, He Said He'd Be Back in London)
• David Freeman ~ October 1999 (awarded at Transylvania 1999, He Said He'd Be Back in London)
• Larry Viezel ~ March 2000 (awarded at East Coast 2000 in Allentown, PA)
• Sal Piro ~ October 2000 (awarded at the 25th Anniversary Convention in Las Vegas)
• Megan Tabor ~ October 2000 (awarded at the 25th Anniversary Convention in Las Vegas)
• Shawn Stutler ~ September 2008 (awarded at The Atlantic City '08 Convention)
• Kev J. Boycik ~ May 2009 (awarded at The Celluloid Jam #1 in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky / The Greater Cincinnati Area)
• Derrick "Fester" Dawson ~ June 2010 (awarded posthumously at TC in DC Convention)
• Bernie Bregman ~ September 2010 (awarded at 7 Deadly Sins: The Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th Anniversary Convention in Los Angeles)
• Mina Credeur ~ April 2011 (awarded at The AC 4.7.11 Convention)
• jefF Nurkiewicz ~ June 2012 (awarded at The Celluloid Jam #2 in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky / The Greater Cincinnati Area)
• Jaimie Froemming ~ August 2013 (awarded at RKO Con in Rhode Island)
• Roy Rossi ~ March 2014 (awarded at El Fishnet Fiesta Dos in Tucson, AZ)
• Gene Chiovari ~ June 2014 (awarded at the Transylvania Carnivale in Chicago, IL)
• Ron Maxwell ~ September 2015 (awarded at The 40th Anniversary Rocky Horror Convention- RHPS40 in New York City )
• Shawn Hall ~ August 2016 (awarded at RKO Con 2 in Rhode Island)
History of the Boss Award as told by Jim "Cosmo" Hetzer
I was approached by Eric Bradshaw to present an award to Ruth Fink-Winter at the NYC con for all she did proofing sites etc... I think Bruce Cutter printed the plaques up to 2000*. I took over in 2008. Since this is an award for the whole community, I guess I should clarify a little. Currently, I print the plaques. They are funded by money from individual contributions from past winners. I designed the plaques. The original ones came with a paper 8x11 framed certificate.
To be considered for a plaque you must be present that the con. In all cases but one, you will receive the award at the convention. You don't have to be well liked in the community to win. You just need the majority vote from the committee.
...Throwing a con will not get you an award. There are MANY people nominated and then the list gets smaller and smaller. Fast. Sometimes people disagree. But it always works out. I (Cosmo) send all the emails regarding status etc... I've never had to break up a fight. When it comes to Rocky every one of these previous winners are total professionals. And I will tell you... I am honored to email these people and discuss Rocky with them. And a nomination from them is a huge fucking honor. These people have 200+ years experience in Rocky.
- Ruth Fink-Winter printed at least one plaque prior to 2000.
