Contact:
Jessica Weirauch 
Michigan Municipal League  
[email protected], 734-669-6311  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2025

Ann Arbor, Mich. — The Michigan Municipal Executives (MME) honored Thomas Markus with the John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented at the Michigan Municipal League’s 2025 Convention in Grand Rapids on Thursday, September 18. 

The Patriarche Award is the highest honor given by MME and is bestowed on longtime members of the association who have created an incredible impact as municipal leaders. Recipients are honored for their work to foster representative democracy, innovative programming and projects and leadership through character and professionalism. 

“I am humbled to be considered among the previous recipients of the John Patriarche Award,” said Markus. “I accept the award on behalf of all the employees, administrative staff members and elected officials who supported me and worked with me to make our city the best it could be. Michigan local governments have a strong history of providing the services our communities need and desire. Our member organizations, the Michigan Municipal Executives, and the Michigan Municipal League provide excellent support, service, and education for our members and communities.” 

Markus has had nearly fifty years of experience as a municipal official, serving in seven cities in five different states. He was city manager for the City of Birmingham from 1989 until 2010. Markus then became city manager of Iowa City, Iowa, followed by Lawrence, Kansas, until his retirement in 2019. He came out of retirement to return to Birmingham in 2021, serving as its city manager until 2023. 

“Those who worked with him describe Tom as a role model: someone who carried himself with confidence and class, yet remained approachable,” said MME President Bridgette Gransden. “His return to Birmingham was a testament to the trust and confidence people placed in him, and to his commitment to preparing communities for the future. Through it all, his deep love of public service, unwavering ethical standards, and genuine care for people have defined his career.” 

Markus holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Business Administration/Finance from Minnesota State University and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), sits on numerous boards and state committees, and was MME president from 1996 to 1997. When not traveling to visit their three children and seven grandchildren, he and his wife Debra live on their tree farm in the Upper Peninsula. 

Learn more about the award and its past winners here. 

For additional information, contact the League’s Jessica Weirauch, Director, Marketing and Communications, at 734-669-6311 or [email protected].   

Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org.

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