The Silver Beaver Award is the highest honor a council can bestow on a Scouting volunteer. This prestigious award recognizes distinguished service to youth through Scouting as well as meaningful contributions to the broader community. Earning the Silver Beaver is a rare and significant achievement, placing recipients among an elite group of dedicated volunteers.
Congratulations to the 2025 Silver Beaver Award Recipients.
DENNIE STEPHENSON
Dennie started his Scouting journey in Cub Scouts with Pack 4208 of Scobey, Montana, where he earned his Bobcat, Wolf, and Bear ranks. Dennie’s time in Cub Scouts ended when his den dissolved after the den leader’s family moved away. The lessons and values instilled in him during that time would serve him well in the future.
At 17, Dennie joined the Montana Army National Guard. After graduating from Scobey High in 1987, he trained as a Cavalry Scout at Fort Knox, then enrolled at Montana State University to study architecture and computers. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture in 1995 and landed his first internship at a Missoula firm. The following year, he married the love of his life, D’Et. Together they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they quickly found good jobs and bought their first home in nearby Marion.
Shortly after, their son, Raynor, was born. Eleven months later, tragedy struck, and D’Et passed away. Dennie, now a single father, remained in Iowa for a few more years before relocating to Billings, Mont., to be near family. There, he launched his own architecture practice.
When Raynor was in the 2nd grade, he brought home a Cub Scouts flyer. They didn’t hesitate to sign up and become part of Pack 81. When Raynor’s den leader moved away, Dennie recalled his own den falling apart and stepped in to lead. He guided the Scouts through to their Arrow of Light and crossover into Troop 2.
Dennie joined the Billings Architectural Association and was soon appointed to its board, serving as president in 2012. In 2015, Dennie joined the board of the American Institute of Architects Montana Chapter, where he served as President in 2021. While on the BAA and AIAMT boards, he was sent to Washington, DC, four times to meet with Montana Senators and Congressmen.
In 2013, the Troop 2 Scoutmaster asked Dennie to lead. Preparing for this role, Dennie took the necessary trainings, including Wood Badge at K-M Scout Ranch. Dennie served over four years as Scoutmaster before stepping away and becoming Committee Chair.
In 2017, when the Montana Council called for National Jamboree leaders, Dennie stepped up and was selected as 1st Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 3241. The adventure included a week touring Washington, D.C., and a week at Summit Bechtel Reserve.
His Wood Badge experience didn’t end with completing his Ticket. Dennie went on to staff five more courses, including as Course Director in 2024. Dennie is the Course Mentor for the 2026 Wood Badge training.
Currently, Dennie serves as the District Commissioner for Black Otter District. For four years, he has also served on the Yellowstone County Planning Board.
On his nomination, one Scouter said, “I have spent many hours in conversation with Dennie, and one thing that always comes across is his love for the Scouting program. He truly believes in Scouting America and all it has to offer to our youth.”
Thank you, Dennie, for all you do for Scouting!
PAUL RODGERS
Paul began his Scouting career as a Tiger Cub in 1983 with Pack 87 in Fort Collins, Colo.. He followed the ranks through Cub Scouts and earned his Arrow of Light. Crossing into Boy Scout Troop 82 culminated with earning the rank of Eagle Scout in August 1994. Paul has been fortunate in his Scouting adventures, including attending the 1989 National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill.
The Rodgers family has been “all-in” on the Scouting program since 2015 when they moved to Montana. Paul and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons currently in the Scouting program: Benjamin, an Eagle Scout class of 2025, and Evan, a Life Scout currently working towards his Eagle Scout Rank.
His wife, Rebecca, served as a Den Leader from 2015 through 2020 and continues to serve on the Troop Committee. Paul served as a Den Leader with Pack 3648 from 2015 through 2018. Then serving as Cubmaster.
When his oldest son crossed over to Scout Troop 649 in the spring of 2019, Paul became an Assistant Scoutmaster, remaining with the pack as the Cubmaster through 2022.
In May of 2021, Paul became Scoutmaster of Troop 649, a role he is still currently in. As a leader, he has attended multiple high adventure bases with his family and his troop, including Philmont and Sea Base. Paul plans to attend Northern Tier Canoe Base, achieving the “Triple Crown” of Scouting America’s High Adventure Bases this summer. He has trekked the Bob Marshall Wilderness through MOHAB and attended the South Korean World Jamboree in 2023 as an Assistant Scoutmaster.
Paul holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Colorado and an MBA from the University of Denver. His 25-year professional career has spanned work in contract manufacturing, medical devices, and tissue banking.
Paul is an active volunteer outside of Scouting, helping at the Boys and Girls Club in Colorado and serving for six years as a member of the Board of Directors for a facility assisting the developmentally disabled. He has followed his sons through their sports careers, coaching youth football, soccer, and wrestling. He is currently an assistant coach with the Gallatin Wranglers Rugby Club.
Paul has continued his Scouting adventure because he believes in the program, teaching youth to become citizens of the community, giving back to others in selfless leadership, and showing respect to all.
On his nomination, one Scouter noted, “Paul’s dedication to the Scouts and the program is an inspiration to all of us. He gives unselfishly of his time and talent – his Scouting Spirit seems to be a renewable energy!”
Thanks, Paul, for all you do in Scouting!
LEROY WOSOBA
LeRoy began his Scouting journey in September 2012, when his second-grade son Aidan asked to join Cub Scouts. He quickly stepped into a leadership role, bringing fresh ideas that energized Pack 4212 and helped it run smoothly. In 2014, LeRoy became Assistant Cubmaster while continuing to serve as Den Leader for his son’s group.
When his son Aidan transitioned to Boy Scouts in 2016, LeRoy remained active with Pack 4212 and stepped into a district role as Prickly Pear District Vice Chair and Program Chair. He ensured the continued success of existing events while introducing new ones, such as the Cub Scout Lock-In.
LeRoy stepped up when Troop 1207’s Treasurer left as her son aged out of Scouting, and he worked hard to improve the clarity of the troop’s financial reports. LeRoy was called out to be a member of Order of the Arrow and completed his Ordeal in 2018. LeRoy also played a major role in the Prickly Pear Tree Lot fundraiser and worked to increase the sales and profitability of the sale.
In 2018, Cub Scouting was opened to female youth, and his daughter Cassie eagerly joined Pack 4212. The next year, when Cassie crossed over, he joined the Committee of the newly formed Troop 1217 along with his wife Toni, acting in the role of Scoutmaster.
After becoming Prickly Pear District Chair in 2019, LeRoy encouraged new Scouters to join the District Committee and he worked to reinvigorate the District. In all of his Scouting roles, Leroy works to understand the responsibilities and areas he oversees and jumps in on as many of the events or committees as he can.
LeRoy has consistently supported the Investment in Character and Leadership (ICL) campaigns. He helps make the Community ICL breakfast a success by assisting with planning, developing mailers, recruiting, and being a table host to bring other donors to the breakfast. LeRoy assists in the Family ICL campaign by being a part of the presentation teams that speak at packs, troops, and crews events.
In 2022, he took on the role of Eagle Scout Coach for Troop 1207. Also in 2022, LeRoy joined the first of two Wood Badge courses he has served on as staff, having successfully completed the Wood Badge course five years earlier as a proud member of the Bobwhite patrol. He is an ardent supporter of leader training at both the district and council levels.
In 2024, Leroy became the Unit Commissioner for Troop 1218, a unit that had been in need of a commissioner for some time. Leroy has worked towards his commissioner degrees and currently holds a Bachelor’s of Commissioner Science and is working towards his Master’s.
Leroy has worked for the Montana Department of Transportation since 2000, leading the Systems Impact Action Process Section, responsible for review of outside projects and their impact on the state’s transportation system.
In his free time, Leroy enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping. He volunteers with the Great Divide Ski Patrol and serves on their board. He enjoys whitewater rafting and is gradually ticking rivers off his wish list.
On his nomination, one Scouter shared, “Leroy’s ability to connect with youth, families, and adult volunteers is a testament to his commitment to Scouting America’s core values, and his selflessness and devotion to others embody the very spirit of Scouting.”
Thank you, Leroy, for all you do for Scouting!
