Herb S. Brier, long time CQ Novice Editor, represented the sprit of effective, caring Amateur Radio instruction. The ARRL and the Lake County Amateur Radio Club, co-sponsor this award in Herb's memory. The award is bestowed by the ARRL to recognize the very best in volunteer Amateur Radio instructions.

The name of the award is the “ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award". Past recipients are:

• 1978 — Sam May, AD7F
• 1979 — Arthur Smith, N3DR
• 1980 — Dan Hoover, W9VEY
• 1981 — Eddie Miller, W5EXI
• 1982 — Vera Woodland, WD5BOW, and Paul Woodland, W8EEY
• 1983 — Peter Kemp, KZ1Z
• 1984 — Gordon West, WB6NOA
• 1985 — No Award
• 1986 — No Award
• 1987 — Larry Odams, K7NUL
• 1988 — Fred Cady, KE7X
• 1989 — Lyle Aufranc, AA6DJ
• 1990 — William Helmetag, WA2VQG
• 1991 — Tom Hammond, N0SS
• 1992 — James Stafford, W4QO
• 1993 — James (Jim) Dalley, W0NAP
• 1994 — Chris Townsend, NU7V
• 1995 — Andrew J. Blackburn III, WD4AFY
• 1996 — Eric J. (Rick) Lagerstrom, KN6FR
• 1997 — Frank J. Mc Nally, KF0WF
• 1998 — Jerry Paquette, WB8IOW, and Roland Anders, K3RA
• 1999 — Allen Wolff, KC7O
• 2000 — Mary Lau, N1VH
• 2001 — Richard W. Crockett, W0PC
• 2002 — Edmund Weiss, W1NXC
• 2003 — Donald P. Wright Jr. AA2F
• 2004 — Rich Davidson, K9RD
• 2005 — No Award
• 2006 — Dr. William P. Birmingham, KC8WDB
• 2007 — No Award
• 2008 — Doug Loughmiller, W5BL
• 2009 — Brian Short, KC0BS
• 2010 — Delvin Bunton, N7QMT & Phillip Peterson, AC7NB