ABOUT THE AWARDS

Awards Program

Each year, FCCMA recognizes leaders in the profession that have demonstrated professionalism and service within the field of public management. Nominated and selected by their peers, award recipients will be recognized during the 2024 Annual Conference at the Hilton Bonnet Creek from May 29 – June 1, 2024.

The 2024 award nominations are now open. For questions, contact staff at fccma@flcities.com.

2023 Award Recipients

Richard (Dick) Simmons Lifetime Achievement Award

Russ Blackburn, Senior Advisor

Michael J. Roberto Award for Career Development

Joyce Shanahan, Ormond Beach

Professional Management Excellence Award

Richard Johnson, Mulberry

Assistant for Excellence in Leadership Award

Dolly Miller, Mascotte

Rising Star Award

Emily Colón, Lakeland

Rising Star Award

Mario Diaz, North Miami Beach

Richard (Dick) Simmons Lifetime Achievement Award

Awarded to an exemplary individual who has served the profession or the FCCMA with steadfast dedication, innovation and the highest standard of excellence.

Michael J. Roberto Award for Career Development

Recognizes an FCCMA member who has made a significant contribution to the development of new talent in professional local government management (internships, mentoring, etc.).

Professional Management Excellence Award

Recognizes an outstanding and long-term local government administrator who has fostered representative democracy by enhancing the effectiveness of local elected officials and by consistently initiating creative and successful programs.

Assistant for Excellence in Leadership Award

Awarded to an FCCMA member who has significantly demonstrated excellence in leadership while serving as an assistant (regardless of title) to a chief local government administrator or department head.

Rising Star Award

Recognizes local government leaders in Florida with less than 10 years of local government experience for their personal and professional excellence. Those selected are among the industry’s top emerging talent and will be an integral part of the FCCMA and local government administration for years to come.

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIPS

Academic Scholarship Program

Are you currently earning a degree in public administration and committed to pursuing a career in local government management? Check out these exclusive scholarship opportunities.

The FCCMA is committed to supporting students pursuing education and careers in Public Administration. We offer up to four academic-based scholarships: the B. Harold Farmer Scholarship ($5,000), the Raymond C. Sittig Scholarship ($5,000), and two Aspiring Professional Manager Scholarships ($2,500 each). Recipients are chosen based on students’ ability to demonstrate their understanding and support of local government management and the principals on which each of these scholarships were founded.

All scholarship recipients will receive conference registration, hotel and $300 to cover travel and other expenses to attend the FCCMA Annual Conference May 29 – June 1, 2024 where they will be recognized for their achievements and given the opportunity to network with 200+ professional managers from across the state. The scholarships also include a one-year complimentary membership to the FCCMA and to the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

ELIGIBILITY
Students must be enrolled during the summer or fall of 2024 and be pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. degree in an accredited program on a Florida campus or the recipient be in pursuit of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an accredited online program as long and must live in Florida and/or work in a Florida city or county government.

Qualifying students must submit a completed application, official transcripts, resume and two letters of recommendation to be considered for these awards. Official Transcripts must be received from the university by the application deadline.

Universities can email official transcripts to fccma@flcities.com or mail them to FCCMA at P.O. Box 1757, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1757. Please contact staff at fccma@flcities.com if you have any questions.

The deadline to apply is February 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. to be considered for these scholarships.

2023 Scholarship Recipients

B. Harold Farmer Scholarship


Rachel Rainbolt, FGCU

Raymond C. Sittig Scholarship

Miguel Garcia, FGCU

Aspiring Professional Managers Scholarship

Jeanne Augustin-Budde, NSU

Aspiring Professional Managers Scholarship

Donecia Griffin, CSU

B. Harold Farmer Scholarship

Recipient receives a $5,000 academic scholarship and expenses paid to attend the FCCMA conference.

Raymond C. Sittig Scholarship

Recipient receives a $5,000 academic scholarship and expenses paid to attend the FCCMA conference.

Aspiring Professional Manager Scholarships

Recipient receives a $2,500 academic scholarship and expense paid to attend the FCCMA conference.

Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program

Want to advance your local government management career? You may be eligible to join us for free at the 2024 Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) Annual Conference.

FCCMA offers an Emerging Leaders Conference Scholarship to public administration students and entry-level city and county management staff interested in continuing their academic and professional development as local government administrators. Participating in the FCCMA annual conference provides emerging leaders with continuing education and networking opportunities with 200+ professional managers from across the state.

THE AWARD

The scholarship includes complimentary registration to the annual conference and hotel accommodations, plus a one-year complimentary membership to the FCCMA. Scholarship recipients will be honored and recognized during the conference. The scholarship is awarded to individuals once per lifetime. The conference will be held May 29 – June 1, 2024.

Scholarships will be awarded to public administration students and entry-level professionals (budget analysts, management analysts, interns and assistants) on the basis of commitment to city/county management, career goals, affiliation with FCCMA and financial need based on salary or the organization’s ability to support the cost to attend the annual conference

Applicants must submit a completed application and resume by Monday, February 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

For questions regarding the scholarship, contact staff at fccma@flcities.com.