Governing Magazine Names Nine Exceptional Leaders as Public Officials of the Year

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - November 18, 2014) - Governing magazine announced the nine recipients of its 2014 Public Officials of the Year award, which recognizes excellence in state and local government. The honorees are profiled in the December issue of Governing.

"These nine men and women are outstanding examples of the tremendous achievement that's happening in state and local government right now," said Governing Executive Editor Zach Patton. "Especially when the federal government is plagued by partisan fighting and gridlock, these dedicated individuals have shown that real change is possible. We're honored to recognize their contributions to public service."

Now in its 23^rd year, Governing's Public Officials of the Year program highlights public-sector leaders who have made an indelible impact on their communities. "It is an affirmation of the power and the value of public service and of the capacity of the citizens of our states and localities to govern themselves well," said Governing Publisher Mark Funkhouser. "Nobody goes into public service for the money or the recognition. Those who join the ranks of government do it because they hope to make a difference. The record shows that the individuals we are recognizing have done just that."

GOVERNING'S 2014 PUBLIC OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR:

The Honorable Stacey Y. Abrams
House Minority Leader, State of Georgia

Carrie Banahan
Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Health Benefit
and Health Information Exchange

Chris Connealy
Texas State Fire Marshal

Billy L. Hattaway, P.E.
District Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation

George S. Hawkins
General Manager, DC Water

The Honorable Michael P. Hein
Ulster County Executive, New York

The Honorable Michael A. Nutter
Mayor, City of Philadelphia

The Honorable Rick Snyder
Governor, State of Michigan

Wendy S. Still, MAS
Chief Adult Probation Officer, City & County of San Francisco, California

For a list of all past Governing Public Officials of the Year as well as detailed descriptions of the 2014 awardees' accomplishments, please visit: www.governing.com/poy.

Public Officials of the Year are selected from nominations submitted by readers, experts in the public and private sectors and the Governing editorial team. Among the qualities recognized are leadership, courage, innovation, creativity and good management.

The Governing 2014 Public Officials of the Year will be honored at a gala dinner at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on December 4, 2014. 

About Governing | www.governing.com 
Governing covers politics, policy and management for state and local government leaders. Recognized as the most credible and authoritative voice in its field, Governing provides non-partisan news, insight and analysis on budget and finance; transportation and infrastructure; workforce and economic development; health and human services and more.

Governing is a division of e.Republic, the nation's only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.

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