CALIFORNIA ASSSOCIATION OF PUBLIC CEMETERIES
PRESENTS “TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR AWARD”
Stephen Souza, Trustee of the Davis Cemetery District was presented the “Trustee of the Year Award” at the 68th Annual Conference of the California Association of Public Cemeteries in Garden Grove, CA. on March 20, 2026.
The “Trustee of the Year Award” is given to a Trustee who was nominated by their district for exceptional performance on behalf of the cemetery district. The award is given for their commitment of time and energy to working with others to improve and enhance their district, develop new approaches, methods and systems to improve organizational effectiveness. This trustee is part of a team that plans for the future acquisition and development of cemetery property.
Trustee of the Year Nomination Letter:
Dear Review Committee,
It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Stephen Souza for the Trustee of the Year Award,
which honors outstanding commitment, demonstrated imagination and creativity, and excellence
in long-range District development.
Stephen has served as a Trustee of the Davis Cemetery District for over a decade and has held
the role of Vice Chair for the past three years. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated
exemplary leadership, vision, and dedication to the District and the community it serves.
One of Stephen’s most significant contributions was his leadership in envisioning and creating
the COVID-19 Permanent Memorial as a place of reflection and remembrance for those affected
by the pandemic. Recognizing that lockdowns and gathering restrictions had created profound
and often solitary grief, Stephen understood that the Davis Cemetery could serve as a space for
communal mourning and collective healing. With the Board’s support, he established a
subcommittee to bring this vision to life.
Over the course of two years, Stephen personally designed many elements of the memorial and
contributed hundreds of hours of hands-on labor. From mixing concrete to constructing
archways, he quite literally built the memorial from the ground up, even inadvertently leaving a
personal mark when his wedding ring became sealed into one of the concrete supports he poured.
In 2024, Stephen led the subcommittee in selecting a team of local artists to create a series of
mosaic archways and a reflection wall that visually narrate the community’s COVID-19
experience. Once the artists were chosen, Stephen served as the primary point of contact,
collaborating with them closely throughout the design and installation process to ensure the
memorial was both meaningful and beautifully executed.
The COVID-19 Permanent Memorial was officially dedicated on September 21, 2024. Led by
Stephen, the ceremony featured remarks from public officials, District Board members, and
members of the artist team. Since its opening, the memorial has drawn visitors from across the
United States.
In addition to leading this major project, Stephen played a key role on the District’s 2025 staffing
and budget committee, where resources were thoughtfully reallocated to provide increased
support for our grounds team. His strategic thinking and collaborative approach resulted in
meaningful operational improvements.
Stephen consistently volunteers to serve on subcommittees, advocates on the District’s behalf,
educates the community about the services we provide, and actively participates in outreach
efforts throughout the year. He is a dedicated mentor to new Trustees and an invaluable leader
within our District.
In summary, Stephen exemplifies the spirit and impact this award is intended to recognize. His
dedication, service, and vision have left a lasting legacy in our District, and I can think of no one
more deserving of this honor.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to contact me if any additional
information is needed.
Sincerely,
Jessica Smithers, District Manager
Davis Cemetery District
