The Raymond W. Dreher Award was created in 1984 as IAATI’s most prestigious award and is presented in memory of the late Lt. Ray Dreher of the Missouri Highway Patrol and IAATI’s 16th President. While not necessarily a yearly award, this is given as recognition for IAATI’s most active and dedicated members who have distinguished themselves by service to the Association. It is only awarded to those giving of themselves far and above what is expected and required of membership. There are no other requirements for the award, except hard work and dedication to IAATI.

At the 2016 Annual Seminar in Murfreesboro, Executive Director John Abounader (last year’s recipient of the award) presented Christopher McDonold, with the award. Chris is currently the Executive Director of the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council. He was initially appointed Deputy Director as of July 2nd, 2012. After serving 24 years, he retired on June 30th, 2012 from the Baltimore County Police Department in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Chris joined IAATI in 1995, and served in many positions, ultimately serving as President in 2010 - 2011. Chris is also a past president of the SERC and is currently their Treasurer. He is also a board member of the Maryland/DC Anti-Car Theft Committee and National Salvage Vehicle Reporting Program (NSVRP). 

The expertise Chris has developed is sought after by many organizations and committees, such as the Vehicle Component Part Label Committee, a federal committee formed to investigate the necessity of vehicle manufacturers including component part labels when manufacturing vehicles. Chris is also the chair of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Vehicle Crimes Committee and a member of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) Advisory Board. This board’s purpose is to provide input and recommendations to the Office of Justice Programs regarding the operations and administration of NMVTIS. Chris is the current chair of the NMVTIS Law Enforcement Working Group and is assisting the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) with the developing training programs for vehicle theft related programs. Chris was a recipient of the 2012 International Associations of Chiefs of Police Individual Vehicle Theft of Merit Award.

Chris served as the Chair of the IAATI Strategic Plan Committee which took long hours and two years to complete. The recommendations of this committee will be used as a reference
by future executive boards. 

As the Editor of Auto Theft Today, he produces and interesting and viable electronic companion to our hard copy APB magazine. He has served in this position for over 2 years. Chris also served as Master of Ceremonies at the recent Asian Auto Theft Summit in Bangkok, Thailand sponsored in by INTERPOL and IAATI. 

To sum it up in a few words “Chris is dedicated to IAATI, and has dedicated his time for the last 21 years to IAATI”. Chris is truly worthy of IAATI’s most prestigious award. Congratulations
from the award committee.