KUCIMAT Lifetime Achievement Award


This award recognizes individuals who have, through cumulative career achievements and successes furthered the purpose of the KUCIMAT organization.

 


2022 Winners

Vicki Charlesworth

Vicki Charlesworth
(MPA 2006)

Vicki was recognized for the way she embodied the values of the KUCIMATs throughout her 30-year career in public service - she advanced the public good, believed in democratic values, and always held the highest of ethical principles.  In addition to her hard work, she showed compassion for the residents of Shawnee, built a high-performing staff, and mentored many generations of young leaders.

 

Vicki was an excellent manager of the staff and believed local government works best when people work collaboratively.  Her skilled and thorough collaboration was mentioned by her nominators.  She worked with the nonprofit service community, elected officials, researchers, city departments, and always believed democracy works best when people feel heard and listened to.  

 

The eight people who nominated Vicki all cited her sense of humor, which always brought the hard work of serving in local government into perspective and increased the satisfaction of doing so.  

Steve Lutz

Steve Lutz
(MPA 1986)

Steve served as the City Manager of Powell, Ohio for 24 years before retiring in 2020.  When Steve came to Powell, Ohio it was a Village, and the population was half of what it was when he retired.  He oversaw a 50% growth in population, implemented the council's policies, managed the long-range plan, and oversaw 10 departments.  Under his leadership, Powell was recognized by both Money Magazine and US. Business Insider as of one the best places to live in the country. 

 

Steven's nomination included recognition of his financial stewardship, including securing a AAA bond rating from Standard and Poors for Powell, and a citizen review task force on how money is collected and spent in the City.  The nomination also cited his high standards for community development, his commitment to the quality of life in the city, and his unyielding dedication to public safety services.  

 

He was known as a mentor who spied talent and grew it from within, setting up succession planning within the city departments.  He would encourage people to go into public service and fostered people's creativity and innovative problem-solving to difficult community issues.  He is known to embody what it means to be a life-long KUCIMAT. 


Past Winners

YearNameTitle/RetiredCity/Organization
2022Vicki CharlesworthDeputy City Manager, RetiredCity of Shawnee, Kansas
2022Steve LutzCity Manager, RetiredPowell, Ohio
2021Joe HoefgenCity ManagerRedondo Beach, CA
2021Ed ZuercherCity ManagerPhoenix, AZ
2020Karen DavisExecutive DirectorLocal Government Hispanic Network
2019Kevin FrazellRetiredLeague of Minnesota Cities
2018Craig Weinhaug Douglas County, KS
2017Mark Watson Oak Ridge, TN
2015Alan Simsformer City ManagerCedar Hill, TX
2014Dennis Haysformer County AdministratorUnified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS
2013Jan Perkins Management Partners, Inc.
2012Bob LivingstonCity ManagerUniversity Park, TX
2011Bob HerchertPresident/CEO of Freese and NicholsFort Worth, TX
2010Ray Hummert KU School of Public Affairs & Administration
2009Bill Ramseyformer Director Municipal ServicesOlathe, KS
2008Fred SiemsRetired City AdministratorCity of Blue Springs, MO
2007Chuck Anderson Waters Group
2006Tom MuelenbeckCity ManagerPlano, TX
2005Al Thelan Management Consultant
2004Alan Morrisformer County AdministratorMiami County, KS
2003Lou FoxCity ManagerLubbock, TX
2002Richard Chesneyformer Dep. Co. AdministratorJohnson Co, KS
2001Marion GoodellAdministrative DirectorKU Stene Program
2000Gene Dentonformer AdministratorJohnson County, KS
2000Gerald Foxformer AdministratorMecklenburg County, NC
1996George R. Schraderformer City ManagerDallas, TX
1996Richard D. Thomasformer City ManagerSanta Barbara, CA
1995Robert A. Kippformer City ManagerKansas City, MO
1994Donald E. PipesCity ManagerOverland Park, KS
1993Leland Nelsonformer City ManagerUniversity Park, TX