The Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) presented its annual awards on May 29 during its conference, held at the Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, Universal Studios, Orlando.
President Jill Silverboard (2014-15), assistant city manager of Clearwater, presided over the awards ceremony and was assisted by the chair and co-chair of the awards committee: Ryan Leavengood, city manager of Lake Alfred, and Micah Maxwell, town manager of Belleair.
The awards included (a description of the award is written below each recipient):
President’s Award – Ms. Eileen Normile, chairperson, The Citizen’s Voice Committee, Sarasota
Given by the president to recognize someone who has worked diligently on behalf of the council-manager form of government for a city or a county; in Ms. Normile’s case, it was a charter challenge in 2014 in the city of Sarasota that would have eliminated the manager position from the form of government.
Richard (Dick) Simmons Lifetime Achievement Award – Mr. Richard (Dick) Kelton, resides in DeLand
Given in memory of the longest-serving member of FCCMA (nearly 65 years), who passed away; this lifetime achievement award is the highest honor the association bestows. Mr. Kelton, a retired city and county manager, is currently a Senior Advisor for ICMA and FCCMA, and served with distinction in Florida local governments for over 30 years.
“If You Care, You Do!” Award – Mr. T. Michael Stavres, director of community services, Winter Haven
Given by the FCCMA board of directors to members who take on Herculean tasks during the year and go ‘above and beyond’ the usual duties of members. Mr. Stavres agreed to help design and facilitate the 2015 Winter Institute, which was an overwhelming success.
Michael J. Roberto Award for Career Development – Robert E. Lee, DPA, executive director, Center for Florida Local Government Excellence, and associate professor, public administration at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers
Given in memory of an FCCMA past president and ICMA regional vice president, this award recognizes those professionals who go out of their way to grow both their own staff, and those of other local governments to ensure a great ‘next generation’ of local public managers. Dr. Lee, an FCCMA past president and former city manager, has led the CFLGE for over five years now and works regularly with students at various universities in addition to his own, and also brings exemplary regional training to FCCMA members across the state so that managers at all levels of work and career experience can add to their knowledge.
Assistant for Excellence in Leadership Award – Ms. Shannon Lewis, deputy city manager, Melbourne
Deputy and assistant managers can be nominated for this award, given by the Association to someone who has made significant contributions toward excellence in leadership. Ms. Lewis was nominated by three city managers (two now retired) in Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach for her excellence as an assistant.
B. Harold Farmer Scholarship: Ms. Sarah Campbell, town clerk, Orange Park
Given in memory of a past FCCMA president, this competitive scholarship is awarded to a student in public administration who shows a commitment to working in local public management in Florida, and who excels academically as well as outside the classroom. Ms. Campbell is a student at the University of North Florida, while serving as full-time town clerk for Orange Park.
Raymond C. Sittig Scholarship: Mr. Adeniyi Aderibigbe, student at Nova Southeastern University, and real estate development specialist, Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Given in memory of Mr. Sittig, the Florida League of Cities’ longtime executive director, this competitive scholarship is given to a public administration student who shows a strong commitment to excellence in local government. Mr. Aderibigbe has worked in federal and state government while pursuing his education, and hopes to make his career in local government.
Emerging Professionals Scholarships: Mr. Thomas (T. J.) Carlisle, assistant to the city manager, Chattahoochee; Ms. Gigi Simmons, MPA student, University of South Florida
The Association awards competitive conference scholarships to help students and early career professionals attend this important educational and networking event. The scholarship covers registration, lodging and most meals.
Senior Advisor Awards: Mr. Samuel Halter, Tampa; Mr. Peter Lombardi, Fort Myers
The ICMA and FCCMA jointly sponsor Florida’s Senior Advisor program in which retired city and county managers give their knowledge, wisdom and counsel to those within the profession, and to elected officials within council-manager and commission-manager governments. This award is given when a Senior Advisor retires from the program. Mr. Halter, former manager of Melbourne and former chief administrative officer for Tampa, served many years as a Senior Advisor. Mr. Lombardi, former manager of Pinecrest, is now serving as the interim manager of the newly incorporated village of Estero.
