KUCIMAT Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes individuals who have, through cumulative career achievements and successes furthered the purpose of the KUCIMAT organization.
2023 Winners
Mike Letcher
(MPA 1978)
"Mike’s dedication to the local government management profession and the KU MPA program is truly laudable. He has served communities from New England to the Southwest with commitment and professionalism. Throughout his long career Mike has been a mentor and a sounding board for many and he continues to help prepare the next generation of municipal leaders through his work as an associate professor at the University of Arizona. Mike’s love for professional local government is second to none and we are so very proud and thankful for his 45 years as a KUCIMAT!"
- Chanté Martin (2018), Sara Ott (2002) , Melissa Sieben (1999), Peter Souza (1994)
Past Winners
| Year | Name | Title/Retired | City/Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mike Letcher | Retired | Bridge Group, LLC. |
| 2022 | Vicki Charlesworth | Deputy City Manager, Retired | City of Shawnee, Kansas |
| 2022 | Steve Lutz | City Manager, Retired | Powell, Ohio |
| 2021 | Joe Hoefgen | City Manager | Redondo Beach, CA |
| 2021 | Ed Zuercher | City Manager | Phoenix, AZ |
| 2020 | Karen Davis | Executive Director | Local Government Hispanic Network |
| 2019 | Kevin Frazell | Retired | League of Minnesota Cities |
| 2018 | Craig Weinhaug | Douglas County, KS | |
| 2017 | Mark Watson | Oak Ridge, TN | |
| 2015 | Alan Sims | former City Manager | Cedar Hill, TX |
| 2014 | Dennis Hays | former County Administrator | Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS |
| 2013 | Jan Perkins | Management Partners, Inc. | |
| 2012 | Bob Livingston | City Manager | University Park, TX |
| 2011 | Bob Herchert | President/CEO of Freese and Nichols | Fort Worth, TX |
| 2010 | Ray Hummert | KU School of Public Affairs & Administration | |
| 2009 | Bill Ramsey | former Director Municipal Services | Olathe, KS |
| 2008 | Fred Siems | Retired City Administrator | City of Blue Springs, MO |
| 2007 | Chuck Anderson | Waters Group | |
| 2006 | Tom Muelenbeck | City Manager | Plano, TX |
| 2005 | Al Thelan | Management Consultant | |
| 2004 | Alan Morris | former County Administrator | Miami County, KS |
| 2003 | Lou Fox | City Manager | Lubbock, TX |
| 2002 | Richard Chesney | former Dep. Co. Administrator | Johnson Co, KS |
| 2001 | Marion Goodell | Administrative Director | KU Stene Program |
| 2000 | Gene Denton | former Administrator | Johnson County, KS |
| 2000 | Gerald Fox | former Administrator | Mecklenburg County, NC |
| 1996 | George R. Schrader | former City Manager | Dallas, TX |
| 1996 | Richard D. Thomas | former City Manager | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 1995 | Robert A. Kipp | former City Manager | Kansas City, MO |
| 1994 | Donald E. Pipes | City Manager | Overland Park, KS |
| 1993 | Leland Nelson | former City Manager | University Park, TX |