Announcing the 2025 Municipal Award Winners
Each year at Alberta Municipalities’ Annual Convention and Trade Show, we honour outstanding municipal professionals from across Alberta for their dedication and excellence.
“It’s an honour to recognize these exceptional individuals at our upcoming Convention,” said President Tyler Gandam. “Their dedication helps Alberta’s communities thrive, and we are grateful for their contributions.”
This year’s recipients include:
Dedicated Senior Team Award: Nominated by the Society of Local Government Managers (SLGM), this award recognizes an outstanding municipal team that demonstrates service excellence and dedication to municipal government. This year’s award winner is the Senior Leadership Team, Town of Jasper.
Dedicated CAO Award: Nominated by the Society of Local Government Managers (SLGM), this award recognizes a CAO for long‐term excellence and dedication to both municipal government and chief administrative management. This year’s award winner is Kalen Hastings, CAO, Town of Coaldale.
“Congratulations to this year’s award recipients. Coaldale CAO Kalen Hastings has clearly demonstrated a dedication to public service and exemplary performance. Jasper’s senior leadership team demonstrated unwavering commitment to their community during the 2024 Jasper Wildfire and is most deserving of this recognition.” said Jesse Sopko, Chair of SLGM.
Distinguished Service Award: Presented to elected officials of municipalities who have served 20 or more years on municipal council, this year’s recipients include:
- Bruce McLeod, Village of Acme
- Dennis Roth, Village of Kitscoty
- Don Anderberg, Town of Pincher Creek
- Dwayne Yaremkevich, Town Elk Point
- Garth Bekkering Town of Taber
- Gordon Wolstenholme, Town of Fort Macleod
- Lance Colby, Town of Carstairs
- Parrish Tung, Town of Elk Point
- Pat Hansard, Town of Stony Plain
- Rick Blair, Town of Carstairs
- Thomas McGee, Town of Drayton Valley
Award of Excellence: This award acknowledges outstanding civic leadership by either past or present municipal elected officials who have held office for at least four years in Alberta. This year’s recipients are:
- Daryl Frank, Village of Kitscoty
- Joanna McCallum, Town of Canmore
- Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk, Town of Drumheller
- Mike Walsh, Town of Penhold
- Reuben Konnick, City of Lacombe
- Richard Ireland, Town of Jasper
- Rob Fehr, Village of Alix
- Rob Olsen, Town of Redwater
Life Membership Award: This award recognizes individuals for their extraordinary contributions to Alberta Municipalities over an extended period. This year’s recipient is Martin Shields.
Martin Shields received the ABmunis Life Membership Award for more than 30 years of public service. He served as Councillor and Mayor of Brooks, held key roles with ABmunis, and served as a Member of Parliament for Bow River from 2015 to 2025. His legacy of collaboration and service strengthens Alberta communities.
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!
We look forward to celebrating the winning municipal leaders and congratulating them in person on November 11 at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary.
