Edwin O. Stene Award for Managerial Excellence
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 the establishment of a new and innovative program, resolution of a difficult organizational problem, completion of a long-term organization goal, or for tangible commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our profession.
2023 Winner

Clint Kinney
(MPA 1998)
"There is no one more deserving of the Edwin O. Stene Award for Managerial Excellence Award than Clint Kinney. He embodies the best traits of this profession throughout all his work. Despite the challenges of the past few years, Clint has been steadfast in his commitment to public service and exceptional professional management. His compassion for colleagues, dedication to public service, and enthusiasm for life is constantly on display. Clint embodies the best traits of this profession throughout all his work. Despite the challenges of the past few years, Clint has been steadfast in his commitment to public service and exceptional professional management. His compassion for colleagues, dedication to public service, and enthusiasm for life is constantly on display making him one of the best managers in this profession."
-Sherilyn Lombos (MPA 1998) and Sara Ott (MPA 2002)

Eric Roche
(MPA 2014)
"Over a decade ago, I became acquainted with Eric prior to his enrollment at the University of Kansas. Today, in my role as a faculty member at Auburn University (AU), I have grown to admire Eric’s clear commitment to transparency, performance management, and the use of data-driven decision-making. Moreover, many in the Kansas MPA family, have been impressed by his willingness to utilize data to ensure transparency of local government operations as well as his dedication to efficiently serving the citizens of the Kansas City, Missouri, Pearland, Texas, and now at the U.S. Treasury. Simply put, Eric is a leader in the broader public service community and is very much deserving of this recognition."
-- Jon Fisk (MPA 2009)
Past Winners
Year | Name | Title/Retired | Organization |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Clint Kinney | Town Manager | Snowmass Village, CO |
2023 | Eric Roche | Policy Advisor | United States Treasury |
2022 | Kelly Houghteling | Deputy Town Administrator | Wellington, CO |
2021 | Travis Machalek | Town Administrator | Estes Park, CO |
2021 | Nolan Klouda | Executive Director | University of Alaska Center for Economic Development |
2020 | Sam Hoghteling | Title | Straayer Center, Colorado State University |
2020 | Steve Powers | City Manager | City of Salem, OR |
2019 | Kelly Greunke | Budget Operations Manager | City/County of Denver, CO |
2018 | Chuck Coward | Retired | Indian Rocks Beach, FL |
2017 | Hannes Zacharias | Retired | Johnson County KS |
2014 | Sherilyn Lombos | City Manager | Tualatin, OR |
2013 | Clay Pearson | City Manager | Novi, MN |
2012 | Carol Gonzalez | City Manager | City of Shawnee, KS |
2012 | Susan Sherman | Assistant City Manager | Olathe, KS |