Community Excellence Awards

The League recognizes innovative solutions through the peer-nominated Community Excellence Award, a spirited competition we affectionately call “The Race for the Cup.”

For the latest information on the award, past winners, and how to enter, please visit our Community Excellence Awards website.

Winners

• 2022 – Cassopolis
• 2021 – Rochester Hills
• 2020 – Canceled Due to COVID
• 2019 – Bay City
• 2018 – Fraser
• 2017 – Hudsonville
• 2016 – Beaverton
• 2015 – Westland
• 2014 – Harbor Beach
• 2013 – Ironwood
• 2012 – Grandville
• 2011 – Clare
• 2010 – Grand Haven
• 2009 – Lathrup Village
• 2008 – Jackson
• 2007 – St. Joseph

Honorary Life Membership Award

Honorary Life Membership, first awarded in 1932, is the League’s highest honor, reserved for the most active and inspiring leaders dedicated to the League and its mission.

• 2022 Honorees – Nathan Triplett and John B. “Jack” O’Reilly
• 2021 Honoree – Dick Bolen
• 2020 Honoree – Jacqueline Noonan
• 2019 Honoree – David Lossing
• 2018 Honorees – Karen Majewski and William Mathewson
• 2017 Honorees – Carol Shafto and Larry Nielsen
• 2016 Honoree – Colleen Layton
• 2014 Honoree –Jeff Jenks
• 2013 Honoree – Robin Beltramini
• 2012 Honoree – Deb Doyle
• 2011 Honoree – Vicki Barnett

View All HLM Recipients Since 1932

Michael A. Guido Leadership and Public Service Award

Celebrating a chief elected official who personifies professionalism and leadership, is an active League member, is dedicated to the citizens in their community and advocates on their behalf in Lansing and Washington, DC.

Click here for more information on this award

• 2022 Winners – William Wild, Mayor of Westland
• 2021 Winner – Chris Barnett, Township Supervisor, Orion Township
• 2020 Winner – Bobby Hopewell, Former Mayor, Kalamazoo
• 2019 Winner – Paula Zelenko, Mayor, Burton
• 2016 Winner – George Heartwell, Former Mayor, Grand Rapids
• 2013 Winner – James R. Buck, Mayor, Grandville

Past winners

Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award

Celebrating a person dedicated to public service who has shown passion and commitment to the League, enthusiastically supporting its mission and promoting its purpose.

Click here for more information on this award

• 2022 Winner – Pat Lockwood, Mayor Pro Tem of Fenton; Deanna Koski, Sterling Heights councilmember; and Jeff Jenks, Huntington Woods, Commissioner
• 2021 Winner – Brenda F. Moore, Mayor, Saginaw 
• 2020 Winner – Deb Doyle, Mayor, Durand
• 2019 Winner – Mark Vanderpool, City Manager, Sterling Heights
• 2018 Winner – Steve Baker, Councilmember, Berkley
• 2017 Winner – John Barr, City Attorney, Ypsilanti
• 2016 Winners
  • Lois Allen Richardson, Councilmember, Ypsilanti
  • Scott Erickson, City Manager, Ironwood
• 2013 Winner – Joyce Parker, Emergency Manager, Allen Park

Past winners

Community Builder Award

The Community Builder Award honors individuals whose leadership creates positive community change. Through efforts such as encouraging civic engagement, supporting up-and-coming leaders, fostering good working relationships, and thinking strategically, they make their community a place where people truly love to live and work.

• 2022 Winner – Bob La Fave , L’Anse Village Manager
• 2021 Winner –Patrick McGinnis, City Manager, Grand Haven 
• 2020 Winner – Dr. Sheryl L. Mitchell-Theriot, City Manager, Lathrup Village
• 2019 Winner – Maureen Donker, Mayor, Midland
• 2018 Winner – Deb Stuart, City Administrator, Mason
• 2017 Winner – Marcus Peccia, City Manager, Cadillac
• 2016 Winner – Marja Winters Farrow, Community and Economic Development Director, Benton Harbor

Legislator of the Year Awards

The Legislator of the Year Award is presented to a few legislators for their instrumental actions in the Michigan State Legislature on behalf of local communities. These individuals are recognized for their efforts in the passage of legislation that will benefit local governments, or who have fought consistently to support local government.

• 2022 Winners
  • Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit)
  • Senator Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville)
• 2021 Winners
  • Representative Jim Ellison (D-Royal Oak)
    
  • Jeff Yaroch (R-Richmond)
    
• 2020 Winners
  • Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield)
  • Representative Gary Howell (R. North Branch)
• 2019 Winners
  • Senator Jim Stamas (R-Midland)
  • Representative Jim Lilly (R-Macatawa)
• 2018 Winners
  • Senator Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth)
  • Representative Sam Singh (D-East Lansing)
• 2017 Winners
  • Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy)
  • Representative Robert Kosowski (D-Westland)
• 2016 Winners
  • Representative Dave Maturen (R-Vicksburg)
  • Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing)
    Craig Ryan, Director, Senate Majority Policy Office – Legislative Staffer of the Year
• 2014 Winners
  • Tom Casperson
  • Nancy Jenkins
  • John Pappageorge
• 2013 Winners
  • John Pappageorge
  • Jim Townsend
• 2012 Winners
  • Rudy Hobbs
  • Wayne Schmidt
• 2011 Winner
• 2010 Winners

Awards of Merit

Each year, the Michigan Municipal League recognizes and honors a select few individuals with Special Awards of Merit for outstanding contributions to Michigan communities. The merit awards are given out during the League’s annual Capital Conference.

• 2019
  • Former State Rep. Rob Verheulen (R-Walker)
• 2014
  • Susan Dana
  • Kurt Dykstra
  • Issue Media Group
  • Larry Nielsen
• 2013
  • Dan Burden
  • Adam Smith
  • Under the Radar Michigan
• 2012
  • Peter Allen
  • Beach Hall
  • Spencer Nebel
• 2011
  • Gary McDowell
  • William Rustem
  • Howard Shifman
• 2010 Winners

Outstanding Service Awards

The Outstanding Service Award is granted to individuals or communities who have gone above and beyond in helping League staff advocate on behalf of all local communities at the state and/or federal level.  From being involved in our internal committee process, to testifying in front of legislative committees, to being involved on League or legislative workgroups, their feedback and time commitment has been crucial to our efforts.

• 2019
  • Clyde Robinson, Kalamazoo City Attorney
• 2018
  • Brandon Fournier, Labor Attorney, Shifman Law
    
• 2014
  • Tom Dempsey
  • Chris Miller
  • Tom Youatt
  • City of Midland
• 2013
  • Brian Donovan
  • Pat Sullivan
  • Jaymes Vettraino
  • Kara Wood
• 2012
  • Stephen Postema
  • Tim Wolff
• 2011 Winners

Elected Officials Academy – An Education and Recognition Program

The Elected Officials Academy is a four-level program that recognizes the educational and leadership accomplishments of elected officials.  Learn all about it by clicking here.

Level One: Education Award
To encourage and recognize the efforts of local elected officials who obtain fundamental information regarding Michigan municipalities.

Level Two: Leadership Award
To encourage and recognize the efforts of local elected officials who build on the core knowledge obtained in Level One, to enhance their leadership skills and to continue their dedication to excellence in community leadership.

Level Three: Governance Award
To encourage and recognize the efforts of local elected officials who achieve an outstanding level of education and leadership beyond that obtained in Level Two, and their continuing dedication to excellence in community governance.

Level Four: Ambassador Award
To encourage and recognize the exemplary service of locally elected officials to their community, to the communities of the state of Michigan, and to the Michigan Municipal League.

Level 4 Graduates

• Monica Galloway, City Councilmember, Flint (2020)
• Brenda F. Moore, Mayor Pro Tem, Saginaw (2019)
• Lois Allen-Richardson, Councilmember, Ypsilanti (2018)
• Jim Holtrop, City Commissioner, Hudsonville (2018)
• Jeff Jenks, City Commissioner, Huntington Woods (2018)
• Rebecca Hopp, Mayor Pro Tem, Ferrysburg (2017)
• Suzanne Pixley, Mayor, Eastpointe (2016)
• Joshua Meringa, Councilmember, Grandville (2014)
• Nathan Triplett, Mayor, East Lansing (2014)
• Barbara Holt, Mayor, Walker (2013)
• Deb Doyle, Mayor, Durand (2012)
• David Lossing, Mayor, Linden (2012)

Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys Awards

Click here to learn more.

Michigan Municipal Executives John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award

This award is given each year at the Michigan Municipal League’s Annual Convention during the Colloquium session. Click here to learn more.

Loss Control Achievement Awards

The Workers’ Compensation Fund gives out annual Loss Control Achievement awards to recognize communities making outstanding efforts in maintaining safe work environments.

• Fund Year 2019/20 Press Release
• Fund Year 2018/19 Press Release
• Fund Year 2017/18 Press Release
• Fund Year 2011/12 Press Release
• Fund Year 2010/11 Press Release

National League of Cities Awards

The National League of Cities (NLC) recognizes cities and towns that have turned ideas into accomplishments. It provides various avenues to cities for sharing and rewarding their efforts.  Each year, member cities are given the opportunity to nominate their programs for three different award and recognition programs: Awards for Municipal Excellence, City Cultural Diversity Awards, and City Showcase. More on NLC awards