Michael Gibbons named 20-30 citizen of the year

Staff Reports

Judge Michael Gibbons has been selected the 20-30 Club's Citizen of the Year for the 2006 Carson Valley Days.

Club members picked Gibbons for his involvement in youth activities, including being head soccer coach and past regional commissioner in the American Youth Soccer Organization.

Gibbons has also served as assistant commissioner, coach administrator and is currently the treasurer. His girls' soccer team, the under16 Carson Valley Backdraft, just completed its spring season by winning the championship at the High Desert Classic tournament in Carson City on June 4.

A founding member of Sierra Crest Academy public charter school in Minden, Gibbons serves on the governing board of the school which is just wrapping up its second year of operation.

The 26-year resident of Douglas County served in the Douglas County District Attorney's Office as chief criminal prosecutor before being elected district judge in 1994 to serve out retiring Judge Norm Robison's term.

He was re-elected in 1998 and 2004.

Gibbons was elected by his peers as President of the Nevada District Judges' Association for 2005. He is also a founding member of the Nevada State Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates which strives to ensure that every child that is the victim of abuse or neglect has a volunteer to speak for him or her in court. Gibbons assisted in the creation of "Austin's House" which is the new Carson Valley Children's Center for child victims.

Gibbons has been recognized on a national level having twice been elected as a trustee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Gibbons is married to Barbara and has three daughters, Bridget, Brooke and Michelle, and a brand new grandson, Gage Black.