Past Award Recipients

2006 Award of Excellence Recipient
FRANK COUTNEY, CLGM, County Administrator - County of Wetaskiwin # 10

"It was an honor and a pleasure to receive the 2006 Society of Local Government Managers Award of Excellence and to be included with the outstanding group of managers who have received this award in the past.

The role of the Society of Local Government Managers in providing for education and professional development of local government managers is a very important role that has brought an increased level of professionalism to local government administration.   Over the next few years professionalism and education will be more and more important as a large portion of senior managers retire and we strive to fill those positions with knowledgeable candidates.

I would like to thank Brownlee LLP for the sponsorship of this award and the Society of Local Government Managers board and membership for their dedication and vision for local governance.  This is an award that individuals can strive to achieve as they work through their careers in local government."

FRANK COUTNEY, CLGM
County Administrator
County of Wetaskiwin # 10

2005 Award of Excellence Recipient
Darryl Rubis, CLGM - Leduc Co.

"As I mentioned when I went up to receive the award at the Society of Local Government Manager's banquet in Kananaskis, I have a great deal of respect for people who work in Local Government . Municipal employees work hard and sincerely care about the service they provide. Because of this regard, this award means a lot to me. I sincerely appreciate the sponsorship of the award by Brownlee LLP and the Society of Local government Managers. The award provides an opportunity for a high level training course/workshop that often is not available because of budgetary constraints.

One of the main areas of service that I provide to Leduc County is in the discipline of Human Resources. I will be using the $3000 award to further my skills in Human Resources. I am looking at a course at Queen's University in Kingston Ontario or possibly attending the American Human Resources Workshop/Conference in 2006. The President of the Human Resources Institute of Alberta suggested this workshop/conference as an terrific learning opportunity.

Thanks has to be extended to Mr Doug Wright,County Manager, and Reeve John Whaley ,and others, who provided letters of support on my behalf."

Darryl Rubis, CLGM
Leduc

2004 Award of Excellence Recipient
Maisie Metrunec, CAO - Town of Gibbons

"To have been chosen by my peers to receive the CLGM Award of Excellence was definitely the highlight of my career. I believe that this was the one time in my life that I actually could not speak because of the surprise and overwhelming feelings that took place within me. I display my award in my Office where everyone can see it. I am just so proud of it. I would especially like to thank the CLGM and Brownlee LLP. The cash award was used to attend an intensive course on Financial Planning for Retirement which entailed a group theory and then a one on one Councilling direction. I also took a course on how to operate a small independent business."

Maisie Metrunec, CLGM
CAO Town of Gibbons

2003 Award of Excellence Recipient
Larry E. Kirkpatrick, CLGM
Commissioner – Sturgeon County

“The SLGM Award of Excellence is shared not only with myself but also my peers. Peer recognition as it relates to contributions to public administration in my area.

Having the Society present this award solidifies, confirms and shows my peers throughout the province that my belief and commitment to continuing education and ongoing professional development helped me attain this prestigious award.

The financial award allowed me to undertake training I would not be able to do otherwise”

Sincerely

Larry E. Kirkpatrick, CLGM
Commissioner – Sturgeon County

2002 Award of Excellence Recipient
Jack Ramme, CLGM
CAO – Yellowhead County

"As an active practitioner in the field of local governance, lifelong learning has become a required necessity to succeed in this ever changing field. The dynamics of the profession are such that a successful CAO must be skilled in many areas of expertise ranging from general management skills in the areas of financial management, human relations skills, communications, legal issues, and so forth as well as being conversant with the issues surrounding issues such as road construction, water/sewer infrastructure etc. We all know it is a challenging and diverse career path.

The Society of Local Government Managers acknowledgement of members needs for continuing education and the subsequent establishment of the “Award of Excellence” is a great testament to the support our Society has for supporting members ongoing training and educational needs.

As a recipient of the inaugural “Award of Excellence” I can speak first hand as to the benefit this initiative has had on my own educational requirements. I have always been and continue to be a supporter of life long learning, and this award has helped me to continue on my quest for further education.

Shortly after receiving the award, I enrolled into Athabasca University into the Bachelor of Management Degree program. Although it is sometimes difficult to balance the interests of full time employment with family and university commitments, the rewards are truly worthy. The courses I have completed to date have be very beneficial to my career path, and I am most grateful to the Society and to Brownlee LLP for the establishment of the Award of Excellence which facilitated this new opportunity for me.

I would strongly encourage all my colleagues to continue on a path of life long learning, and to consider applying for the Award of Excellence to help facilitate your educational ambitions."

Sincerely

Jack Ramme, CLGM
CAO – Yellowhead County