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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2025

Ann Arbor, Mich. — Five current and former elected officials from Michigan cities were honored with awards on September 16 during the Michigan Municipal League’s Board of Trustees Dinner, as part of the 2025 Convention in Grand Rapids. The recipients are as follows: 

• Melanie Piana — Honorary Life Member Award   

• Abdullah Hammoud — Community Builder Award  

• Robert E. Clark — Michael A. Guido Leadership and Public Service Award  

• Edward Klobucher — Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award  

• Jenasia Morris — Emerging Leader Award  

“MML has been instrumental in shaping my impact as a public servant,” said Melanie Piana, former mayor and city councilmember for the City of Ferndale. “Their team provided me with the tools to navigate the hard, often messy work of local governance and learn from my mistakes. I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition.”  

“Receiving the Community Builder Award is a profound honor, and I accept it on behalf of the people of Dearborn who inspire me every day,” said Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, City of Dearborn. “This recognition motivates me to continue leading with purpose and a steadfast commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.” 

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Michigan Municipal League and peer municipal leaders for this prestigious award,” said Mayor Robert E. Clark, City of Monroe. “I am blessed to work with the finest leadership team, employees, and community volunteers who tirelessly work together in our service and shared success; I proudly share this moment with them.” 

“I am deeply honored to receive the Jim Sinclair award for service to the Michigan Municipal League,” said City Manager Edward Klobucher, City of Hazel Park. “Whether they are lobbying to protect the interests of cities, or proposing innovative, future-oriented ideas to help our cities thrive and improve the quality of life for our residents, the Michigan Municipal League is by far the most important organization of its kind in the state of Michigan.” 

“Receiving the MML Emerging Leadership Award is a humbling and meaningful honor, especially in a field like public service that can often feel thankless,” said Commissioner Jenasia Morris, City of Battle Creek. “This award makes me feel seen and appreciated for the work I do, and it reminds me of the responsibility I carry to continue serving my community with compassion, integrity, and care.” 

“I’d like to congratulate each of this year’s award recipients,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the League. “Energetic, inspiring, and dedicated, these five local leaders represent the best of what public service has to offer. Their tireless work has reverberated throughout their communities and beyond. We at the League are profoundly grateful for their service and proud to honor them.” 

For more information on each of the awards, please visit the Awards page on the League’s website here. 

Pictures of 2025 Convention award recipients will be available on the League’s Flickr account 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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