2025
SCOT OF THE YEAR
The Silver Thistle Award is the highest honor granted by the Nevada Society of Scottish Clans, recognizing significant contributions to science, business, medicine, education, fine arts, and/or philanthropy of a person of Scottish heritage who is a permanent resident of northern Nevada or northeast California.
Retired Automotive Collections Manager of the National Automobile Museum, Named 2025 ‘SCOT OF THE YEAR’
The Nevada Society of Scottish Clans proudly presents its 2025 Silver Thistle Award recipient, Jay Hubbard. The Silver Thistle Award is the highest honor granted by the Society and the recipient is known as Scot of the Year. The award recognizes significant contributions to business, medicine, education, fine arts, and/or philanthropy of a permanent resident in northern Nevada or northeast California.
Jay was a renowned Automotive Collections Manager of the National Automobile Museum, one of the most prestigious automobile museums in the U.S. During his 18-year career, his work influenced the museum, automobile museum field, and collector car field/hobby.
He helped the Museum earn national and international recognition. Through his dedication to excellence, education and professional development, Jay gained notable skills in the unique field of historical automotive preservation, he became a walking encyclopedia of auto history, and skilled auto technician.
Jay showed the Museum’s priceless automobiles at global events where only exceptional autos were invited. He proficiently described their important place in automobile and cultural history to judges, the public and journalists.
This included the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and England’s exclusive Goodwood Festival of Speed. Twice, Jay was asked by Lord March, 11th Duke of Richmond, to participate in its Cartier ‘Style of Luxe,’ judged by eminent individuals in art and design.
These events drew automotive press from across the globe. Jay became a sought-after interviewee due to his knowledge, talent, and ease before the camera. He was a qualified judge at Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Ironstone Concours d’Elegance and Hot August Nights.
Jay became a skilled educator. He offered programs at the Museum’s History Symposiums, each funded by Nevada Humanities grants, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and approved for teachers to earn in-service credit; both illustrating the educational quality required.
He gave presentations about procedures for maintenance and preservation of industrial artifacts to the National Association of Automobile Museums and Historic Vehicle Association, on Mysteries at the Museum TV shows and YouTube.
The most impactful was given to the Historic Vehicle Association about the Museum's 1907 Thomas Flyer (winner, 1908 New York to Paris Race). Jay addressed the impact of this win that proved autos were reliable, year-round transportation and influenced the auto industry’s development. The Thomas Flyer was entered on the U.S. Department of the Interior, Historic American Engineering Record, forever securing its historic significance.
Congratulations to the 2025 Scot of the Year, Jay Hubbard.