APWA 2016 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Announced

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (May 16, 2016) – The American Public Works Association (APWA) announced the selection of the 2016 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award recipients. This year marks the 56th anniversary of the Top Ten Leaders Awards, which is one of the most coveted and prestigious awards presented by the APWA association.

“Since its inception in 1960, APWA’s selection of the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year has included exceptional public works professionals and has identified 560 men and women who reflect the highest career standards of professional conduct for public works officials,” said APWA Executive Director Scott Grayson. “During National Public Works Week, May 15-21, 2016, APWA announces the Top Ten Leaders, which have been selected by a committee of peers for their career-long professionalism, expertise, service and personal contributions to improving the quality of life in the communities they serve. The APWA Top Ten represent the best of the public works profession, and they are all to be highly commended on this honor.”

The APWA 2016 Top Ten Public Works Leaders list includes:

• Kenneth Eyre, P.E. – Senior Associate, Greeley and Hansen, Alexandria, Virginia
• John Herzke, P.E., PWLF – Vice President of Municipal Services, Clark Nexsen, Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Dena Mezger, P.E. – Director of Public Works, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
• Diane Nakano, P.E. – Assistant General Manager, Sacramento Regional Transit Dist., Sacramento, California
• James “Jim” Neal, P.E. – Public Works Director, Charleston County, North Charleston, South Carolina
• Bob Patterson, P.E. – Director of Public Works, Pendleton, Oregon
• James “Jim” Proce, MBA, PWLF – Assistant City Manager, Rowlett, Texas
• Paul D. Wiegand, P.E. – SUDAS Program Director, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• Clark Wantoch, P.E., PWLF – Executive Director, Wisconsin Concrete Pipe Assoc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Walter “Walt” Veselka, P.E., PWLF – Public Works Director, Bristol, Connecticut

The Top Ten Public Works Leaders program focuses on outstanding career service achievements of individual public works professionals from both the public and private sectors in North America.

Each of the Top Ten Leaders are recognized for their achievements in engineering or administration including career advancement, contribution to technology or job knowledge, commitment to the profession as evidenced by education, training, certification or registration and continuing education, as well as professional excellence and service to the community in large and small municipalities.

For more information, visit the Top Ten Public Works Leaders Awards.