The Carl Nowell Leadership Award is presented each year to honor a person who embodies the following characteristics:
- shows dedication and persistence through leadership in the field of prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse services on a local, state, and national level
- displays steadfast commitment through relentless effort, competence, and planning to improve those services and programs
- operates with a team mentality and recognizes that significant change is achieved only through the action of many individuals working together
- shares a vision for exciting possibilities and possesses an absolute belief in his/her ability to make extraordinary things happen
