Noakes, Schausten Receive Top APA Honors

Valery Noakes, CPP, and Jon Schausten, CPP, are well-known names among American Payroll Association (APA) members. Now, they’re known as the 2020 APA Payroll Woman of the Year and the 2020 Payroll Man of the Year.

Not coincidentally, both are also known for their volunteer service nationally and locally.

Noakes, Senior Manager of Payroll and Data Operations for Becton, Dickinson & Company, joined the APA in 1994 and has been a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) since 2001.

“APA has been such an incredibly important part of my life,” she said in accepting the honor. “They have supported me in so many ways, allowed me to grow and mature and become a better person.”

She thanked her cohorts in the Alamo Chapter as well as members of other chapters she has befriended elsewhere in Texas and throughout the nation. 

Her volunteer service includes:

• CHAMPS mentor
• National Speakers Bureau
• Shared Services Task Force, Payroll Cards, Unemployment, and State and Local Topics Subcommittees of the Government Relations Task Force (GRTF)
• Co-Chair of the Emerging Technologies and Retail Best Practices Subcommittees of the Strategic Payroll Leadership Task Force (SPLTF)

Chair of the Certified Payroll Professional Committee

Her advice to those wondering how they can be recognized for their service someday? Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.

“You never know what you can do until you put yourself out there and take that first step,” she said. “I want you to remember that all of us are your family, too, and we are there to support you.”

Noakes received the APA’s Meritorious Service Award In 2011 and the Special Recognition Award In 2015.

Locally, she has served the Alamo Chapter of the APA as Secretary, Treasurer, Statewide Coordinator, and President.

"I am so very proud of you!" Martha Baxter wrote to Noakes in the Congress Xstream chat just after the announcement. "Hugs, my friend! Texas chapters rock!"

Schausten, Director of Payroll AND HRIS at OneAmerica, joined the APA in 2000 and has been a CPP  since 2002.

“I am tremendously lucky to be involved with such a great organization,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough for what they do for all payroll professionals.”

Schausten thanked his family, the Indianapolis Chapter, and the employers who have supported his APA involvement.

His volunteer service includes:

• Hotline Referral Service
• Nominating and Elections Committee
• Social Networking Committee
• The Manufacturing Best Practices Subcommittee of the SPLTF
• IRS Issues, State and Local Topics, and Retirement Accounts Subcommittees of the GRTF

Schausten is also a member of the Board of Advisors. Schausten received the APA’s Meritorious Service Award in 2019.

Locally, he has served the Indianapolis Chapter of the APA as Government Liaison Officer, Statewide Coordinator, Secretary, President-Elect, and President.

“You get far more out of it than you ever give, so please continue to contribute and add,” he told his fellow APA members. “Thank you so much for this honor. It’s wonderful to be recognized by your peers and people who you respect as much as I do.”

Max Van Der Klis-Busink, RPP, wrote in the Congress Xstream chat, "Jon, the man, the legend!"

Owhen Astorga was among many to celebrate the honorees, writing, "Congratulations to Val and John! Well deserved! Virtual hugs and high fives!"