Alumni

KUCIMAT Awards 2002 - Philadelphia, PA

Lifetime Achievement Award--Dick Chesney

Edwin O. Stene Award for Managerial Excellence--Jan Perkins

Intern Excellence Award--Bernard Seeger

Lifetime Achievement Award--Dick Chesney

The purpose of the KUCIMAT organization is to promote and foster the professional self-improvement of its members, to advance the urban management profession through its members and to assist and promote the continued improvement and development of the Kansas University Master in Public Administration program and curriculum.

We would like to nominate Richard B. Chesney for the 2002 KUCIMAT Lifetime Achievement Award. Dick has earned this award because of the personal guidance and assistance he has given to professional colleagues and graduates of the MPA program at the University of Kansas. Dick is a mentor and friend to many.

Dick graduated with a BA degree from the University of Michigan in 1957 and earned his MPA from KU in 1959. His career in Public Administration has spanned four decades serving Lombard, Illinois; Middleton, Ohio; Marshall, Michigan; El Dorado, Kansas; and, Johnson County, Kansas. Dick served on the International Affairs Committee of ICMA and is currently a range rider serving several Kansas communities. He was recognized by ICMA in 1999 for his forty years of service to the profession.

Dick is a loyal KUCIMAT serving as a board member 1976-1978 and 1990-1992 and as its president in 1991. He was the Practitioner in Residence in 1997 and has served as KUCIMAT treasure since 1999. He and Marcia have generously supported the program throughout the years with both their time and financially. In 2000, they endowed the Richard Chesney Scholarship to provide scholarships to students from Kansas high schools pursuing an MPA with preference given to racial minorities.

Since his retirement in 1998 from Johnson County, Dick continues to mentor young professionals entering careers in public administration by assisting in classes and seminars at the University. His contributions to the KUCIMAT organization are countless including serving as its Treasurer since 1999. Dick is well known to Kansas managers for his seminars on personal finances. Since 1999, he has worked his fiscal wizardry on KUCIMAT finances by going from zero balances to healthy reserves.

There can be no more deserving candidate for this award. Dick fully exemplifies the ideals of the KUCIMAT organization and continues to further its purpose by his achievements, successes, and generosity.

Submitted by John Nalbandian and Ray Hummert ('75)

Edwin O. Stene Award for Managerial Excellence--Jan Perkins

This award recognizes individuals who have performed in an exceptional manner in the management of the organization in which they are employed. This may include establishment of a new and innovative program, resolution of a difficult organizational problem or completion of a long-term organizational goal.

We are pleased to nominate Jan Perkins (’76), City Manager of Fremont, California for this year’s Stene Award for Managerial Excellence. Jan is a manager who truly exemplifies excellence in every aspect of her professional life. Specifically, we are nominating Jan for her work in the area of diversity; she has consistently demonstrated both personal involvement and commitment in advancing the issues of diversity and increasing sensitivity and awareness of diversity within the organization as well as the community. This commitment has established a culture of tolerance, acceptance and celebration of diversity within the organization and has led to the establishment of numerous programs to support the needs of Fremont’s diverse community.

We feel that her work is particularly deserving of recognition this year, as Fremont faced unique challenges in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Since incorporation in 1956, Fremont has quickly evolved from a predominantly white farming community to a high-tech center that is home to an array of international ethnicities. This was confirmed by the 2000 Census in which Fremont officially became a “minority majority” community, meaning that no ethnicity comprises a majority of the population. Fremont is home to people speaking more than 200 different languages representing religions including Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian, just to name a few. Further, Fremont is home to one of the largest Afghan populations in the United States.

In the past year, Jan’s leadership rallied the City organization to foster greater understanding among all ethnic and religious groups in the community. First, September 11 commemorative events were attended by thousands of residents of all ethnic backgrounds and religions. Another example of Jan’s success was the 2002 National Night Out, an evening of neighborhood parties sponsored by the City. This year’s event was the most successful ever, with more than 100 block parties and greater minority ethnic participation. Third, the City sponsors an annual “Unity Day” festival that honors the various ways that Fremont is enriched because of its diversity.

Her commitment to building understanding in the community is matched only by her dedication to build cultural competence within the organization. Jan has played an integral role in developing effective training programs and encouraging diversity awareness and appreciation. All employees are required to attend a one-half day “Respect in the Workplace” workshop; and for Police Department employees, a special 40-hour class called “Common Ground” has been created that focuses on various ethnicities as well as lifestyle choices. The Human Services Department maintains a departmental diversity task force that organizes training focused on specific cultures and the Personnel Department has organized a one-half day workshop available to all employees on “Appreciating Diversity.” Most recently, the City held an employee workshop entitled “Understanding Islam” which provided insights into Islamic religion and culture.

Jan has made a personal commitment to increasing sensitivity and awareness of diversity within the community. From her involvement on the League of California Cities Committee on Diverse Communities to her outreach to the Islamic community after September 11, she has created a set of expectations for employees that have resulted in changing attitudes towards diversity.

Jan is well deserving of the 2002 Stene Award for Managerial Excellence. Her longtime commitment to diversity and cultural engagement in the community has helped Fremont to grow together in a time when it could potentially be drawn apart. Her leadership is prompting a cultural shift in the organization that will enhance all City services, and in turn the quality of life for all Fremont residents.

Submitted by Jim Becklenberg (’97), Sherilyn Lombos (’98) and Kelly McAdoo (’00).

Intern Excellence Award--Bernard Seeger

It is with great pleasure that I submit this nomination for Intern Excellence on behalf of Bernard Seeger. Bernard started his internship with the City of Dodge City in June of 2001. This being my first experience with full-time intern, I was somewhat apprehensive about what we would get out of the intern position. It didn't take long for me to realize that Bernard was not one that needed much supervision. Give him the task and let him go to work. He was very resourceful and knew where to get answers or information. During his entire intern experience Bernard worked directly with the City Manager and the City Commission. On occasion he would make reports and presentations to the City Commission and worked with other employees and Department Heads depending upon the project. He had a real thirst for knowledge and was not afraid to ask questions even difficult ones.

It didn't take long for me to understand Bernard's abilities and ability to handle some very difficult and complex projects. Let me give you a quick summary of his accomplishments during his 12 months with our city.

1). Cable TV Franchise Negotiations. The City's cable franchise was set to expire. I ask Bernard to help me organize our effort and intended for him to be more a support role and take care of some of the smaller details. Shortly after the negotiations began Bernard took a more significant role. He worked hand in hand with the City Attorney reviewing the franchise and putting forth our proposals. This work took an extreme amount of research and effort in order to comprehend the complexity of the new telecom industry. Bernard quickly became the city's expert on this issue and provide the background and was the key negotiator along with the City Attorney in the process. At the time of his departure we were nearing the final stages of the process.

2). Review and Update of Airport Leases. Leases at the Airport had not been reviewed for several years with some having already expired and lacking important lease language. Bernard worked along side our Airport Manager on this project and was instrumental in reviewing all leases, updating leases, and surveying airport lease rates. He than made presentations before the Airport Advisory Board on the recommend changes which have been approved and implemented by the City.

3). Development Review Process. For years we struggled with the whole development process within inspections, fire and public works and engineering. The problem appeared to be lack of coordination and communication internally. Bernard was charged with coordination a series of meetings with all of the city players in the development review process and establishing some protocols. This effort took some planning but is now in place with regular meetings of the development team. His research found some successful models for us to learn from.

4). Privatization of Animal Shelter. Put together an RFP for privatizing the animal control facility. Handled all communications with prospective bidders and put together the staff report. He than made the presentation to the City Commission and a contract was entered into. He handle himself in a very professional manner and worked well with all people involved.

5). Other Projects: code enforcement delegation system, special events policy, west entrance sign, ROW Ordinance, restaurant inspection ordinance, water right appraisals.

Aside from the big projects and the smaller tasks, Bernard was involved in the day to day activities of the City Managers officer which included to name just a few:

-follow up on citizen complaints and request
-participating in City Manager Commissioner agenda briefing meetings
-attending all staff meetings
-attending all commission meetings and budget study sessions

Bernard's biggest strength is his drive and ambition, which allows him to achieve results. He truly energized with his work in local government and it showed everyday at City Hall. He was focused on being productive in the organization and not just filling an internship requirement. He quickly earned creditability within the organization and the community. I am extremely surprised about the number of projects and assignments that I was able to give Bernard. I didn't expect this intern assignment would allow me the ability to assign the number and complexity of the assignments I did.

The intern experience fare exceeded my expectations. I sense that Bernard may not be the typical MPA student out on a first time position. He brought with him a level of maturity along with his military background that provided him with a solid foundation from which to advance his management skills. From my year with Bernard I am convinced that he will succeed in the area of local government and is currently on his way.

Submitted by John Deardoff