KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 1, 2017) – The American Public Works Association (APWA) announced the 2017 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year. APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Leaders are recognized for the career service achievements of public works professionals. This year marks the 57th anniversary of the Top Ten Leaders Awards, which is one of the most coveted and prestigious awards presented by the APWA association.

The Top Ten Public Works Leaders program focuses on outstanding career service achievements of individual public works professionals and officials from both the public and private sectors in North America. Each of the Top Ten Leaders are recognized for their accomplishments in federal, state, provincial, county or municipal 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.

This year’s APWA 2017 Top Ten Public Works Leaders list includes:

  • David Fabiano, P.E., PWLF – Town Engineer, Town of Gilbert, Arizona
  • Lee Gustafson, P.E. – Senior Project Manager, WSB & Associates Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Patricia Hilderbrand, P.E. – Division Manager, Coordination Services, Public Works Dept., Kansas City, Missouri 
  • Richard Howard, CFM, P.E., PWLF – Public Works Director, City of Orlando, Florida
  • Paul May, P.Eng. – Chief Engineer, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, Markham, ON, CANADA 
  • Robert Newman – Director of Public Works, City of Santa Clarita, California
  • Jeanne Nyquist – President, Nyquist & Associates Inc., Tigard, Oregon
  • Darren Schulz, P.E. – Director of Public Works, City of Carson City, Nevada
  • Kevin Sheppard, P.E., PWLF – Public Works Director, City of Manchester, New Hampshire
  • Larry Stevens, P.E., PWLF – Project Director, HR Green Inc., Johnston, Iowa

“The Top Ten Public Works Leader Award aims to inspire excellence and dedication in public service by recognizing the outstanding career service achievements of individual public works professionals and officials. Since its inception in 1960, the Top Ten Leaders award program has recognized 570 men and women who reflect the highest career standards of professional conduct for public works officials,” said APWA Executive Director Scott Grayson. “The APWA Top Ten represent the best of the public works profession, and they are all to be highly commended on this honor,” said Grayson. 

For more information, visit APWA.