KUCIMAT Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes individuals who have, through cumulative career achievements and successes furthered the purpose of the KUCIMAT organization.
2021 Winners

Joe Hoefgen
(MPA 1989)
Joe Hoefgen (MPA 1989) completed a nearly 35-year career in local government before retiring in November of 2021 as the City Manager of Redondo Beach, CA. Joe brought a strong background in policy and program development, labor relations, human resources, and budget oversight to the Manager's office. He simultaneously served as the Human Resources Director and the City Manager for a period after the HR Director position was vacant. He leaves a strong legacy of a high performing team serving the City of Redondo Beach.

Ed Zuercher
(MPA 1994)
In October of 2021, Ed Zuercher (MPA 1994) retired from 28 years of service to the City of Phoenix, AZ. He was nominated by 3 of his classmates, all who are active on our alumni board. As part of their nomination they wrote, "through his leadership, the Phoenix team has focused on the key principles of exceptional customer service, integrity and transparency, respect for diversity, personal empowerment, engaged teamwork, consistent professionalism, and creativity and innovation for excellent results. Ed and the Phoenix team has delivered positive results for the community as the City of Phoenix has been recognized by Governing Magazine and Living Cities as a top city for innovation and high-performance governance."
Past Winners
Year | Name | Title/Retired | City/Organization |
---|---|---|---|
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 |