The Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) presented its awards on Friday, May 30, 2014 at a luncheon in Orlando at the Hilton Orlando. President Russ Blackburn, city manager of Gainesville, presided over the awards. Over 220 members were present, many of them with spouses, guests and/or city and county staff for the presentations.
This year’s awards, along with an explanation for the award, and comments on the recipients:
Given at the discretion of the FCCMA president:
President’s Award – to John L. Daly, Ph.D., director of the public administration program at the University of South Florida. Dr. Daly was instrumental in supporting the creation of an ICMA student chapter at USF, which can help steer public administration students toward the local level. He regularly hosts events for students and those in the profession at USF. His support over the years will help ensure next generations of local public managers in Florida.
“If You Care, You Do!” awards – given each year to association members who go ‘above and beyond’ the usual volunteering through committees; it is a way to recognize a tremendous level of volunteering by a member. For 2014, two members were recognized:
Amanda Millirons, City of Palm Bay: Amanda is assistant public works director, and as an FCCMA committee member for both the professional development committee and the communications committee. She was praised for never missing deadlines, and for helping to design the conference workshop aimed at the next generation of managers.
Charlotte Presensky, City of Palm Beach Gardens: Charlotte is projects director for administration at the city; for several years she has spearheaded both the “So You Want to Be a City/County Manager” workshop at the annual conference, and puts together the career luncheon as well. Charlotte also volunteers to staff many of the conference sessions.
Awards from the FCCMA Awards Committee, as approved by the board of directors:
Richard (Dick) Simmons Lifetime Achievement Award: created in 2014 to honor a past president and 63-year member of the association who died in 2013, this new award was presented to Kenneth R. Hammons, city manager of Panama City. Mr. Hammons has spent most of his career in Florida, and was a protégé of Mr. Simmons while Mr. Simmons was city manager of West Palm Beach. Because the two worked together, and Mr. Hammons espouses many of Mr. Simmons’ best practices as a manager, the board of directors determined he was the ideal inaugural recipient of the award.
Michael J. Roberto Award for Career Development: Given in memory of an FCCMA past president who emphasized the development and mentoring of others throughout his career, the award was given to Mr. Mark E. Durbin, retired city manager and current ICMA & FCCMA Range Rider. Mr. Durbin was the longtime manager of Kissimmee, and he acted as a coach, mentor and guide to many city employees, other young professionals, students and others in the profession. His nomination noted that nine (9) of his former employees serve as managers in local governments; a testament to the environment he created to foster their development and experience.
Career Excellence Award: this award was created so that a city or county, or peer, could nominate a manager for professional recognition. The 2014 award was given to Bruce T. Haddock, city manager of Oldsmar. Mr. Haddock is a past FCCMA board of director and has been active on committees. His nomination stated, “Mr. Haddock has devoted over 27 years of service to one city – an achievement only a few with his position or title can proclaim.” It further stated that Mr. Haddock’s “vision, leadership, and creativity have helped Oldsmar” in many ways.
Assistant for Excellence in Leadership: this award recognizes deputy and assistant managers. For 2014, Mr. Khalid Resheidat, assistant city manager, for the city of New Smyrna Beach was the recipient. He is a 25-year city employee. Mr. Resheidat was nominated by his city, and the nomination stressed his “support to city employees, who view him as a leader and mentor,” and recognized his skills at facilitation, “building partnerships within the community, and his integrity.”
Lifesaver Awards: each of these awards is given in recognition of a member’s outreach to a member-in-transition (those members between professional positions who are offered temporary posts while they are between positions)
Pam Brangaccio, city manager, New Smyrna Beach – for her outreach to Ms. Faith Miller
Lee Feldman city manager, Fort Lauderdale – for his outreach to Ms. Sarah Hannah-Spurlock and Mr. Paul Berg
Greg Kisela, city manager, Port Orange – for his outreach to Mr. Wayne Saunders
Dr. Bob Lee, executive director of the Center for Florida Local Government Excellence – for his outreach to Ms. Sarah Hannah-Spurlock
Paul Schofield, village manager, Wellington – for his outreach to Ms. Sarah Hannah-Spurlock
B. Harold Farmer Scholarship B.: named for an FCCMA past president and given each year to a student showing commitment to city and county management in Florida.
The 2014 recipient is Ms. Ashley M. Skalecki, a master’s in public administration student at Florida Gulf Coast University, who also works within the department as a graduate assistant conducting local government research in redevelopment, civic engagement and transportation. She is an FCCMA and ICMA member. The scholarship includes $2,500 academic funds and full expenses to attend the annual conference.
Raymond C. Sittig Scholarship: awarded in memory of the longtime executive director of the Florida League of Cities, who worked closely with the FCCMA for over forty years. The 2014 recipient is Ms. Andrea Miller, a master’s student at Hodges University, and she is recreation director for the city of Sanibel. The recipient receives a $2,500 scholarship.
Emerging Leaders Scholarships: these competitive scholarships allow those working in city and county governments who desire to move into management positions an opportunity to attend the annual conference. For 2014, two scholarships were awarded to: Ryan Henderson, senior management fellow for the city of Fort Lauderdale; and Joshua T. Pascua, management analyst in economic development & business partnerships, Leon County. Both recipients are FCCMA members.
Click here for pictures of the recipients
