Team ILG Wants to Recognize Hard Working Public Servants!

Submission Form: Nominate a Local Government Champion Today

The ILG team is collecting nominations for outstanding leaders in public service. Nominations can include anyone working in one of California’s cities, counties or special districts – from staff to elected or appointed officials. Self nominations are also accepted and encouraged!

Help us celebrate public servants performing good work in the areas of:

• Leadership & Governance
• Public Engagement
• Sustainable & Resilient Communities
• Workforce & Civics Education.

Throughout the year, we will be highlighting these Champions of Local Government in California.

Those submitting nominations will be entered to win a free registration to an upcoming ILG training (valued at up to $1,000).

Check out our latest features below

Local Government Champions

Leadership & Governance Pillar

David Villanueva, Assistant County Executive, Sacramento County 

“Mr. Villanueva should be recognized for someone who goes up and beyond the basic requirements of governance, regulations and serves as a model for other county leaders to emulate. His driving success and contribution to the county has a positive impact serving the Sacramento community.” Learn more.

• Merritt Perry, City Manager, City of Fortuna
• Stacey Stevenson, Deputy City Manager, City of Murrieta
• Steve Monaghan, CIO, County of Nevada
• Porsche Middleton, Mayor, City of Citrus Heights
• Michelle Reimers, General Manager, Turlock Irrigation District
• Salem Afeworki, Energy and Sustainability Services Manager, City of Costa Mesa
• Charlie Uhrig, Mayor, City of Solvang
• Steven Gama, Councilmember, City of Port Hueneme
• Christine Viterelli, Grant Writer, City of Arvin
• Dr. Jei Africa, Director, Marin Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
• Laura Garnette, Chief Probation Officer, County of Santa Clara County Probation
• John Takhtalian, Deputy City Manager, City of Glendale
• Mary-Joy Coburn, Director of Communications, Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District
• Sona Coffee, Environmental Programs Administrator, City of Irvine
• Jennifer Carvalho, Recreation Supervisor, Town of Yountville
• Devin T. Murphy, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Pinole
• Ron Duncan, General Manager, Soquel Creek Water District
• Sharon Ranals, Assistant City Manager, City of South San Francisco
• David Lawrence, P.E., General Manager, Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency
• Kevin Perkins, Planning Director, Yuba County Community Development and Services Agency
• Sarah Zarate, Director, City Manager’s Office, Office of Administration, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, City of San Jose
• Jorge Rodriguez, Director, Deputy Emergency Services Coordinator, County of Sonoma Department of Emergency Management
• Lindsey Liebig, Member, Herald Fire Protection District Board of Directors
• Angel Barajas, Supervisor, Yolo County
• Dan Hentschke, Assistant City Attorney, City of Santa Barbara
• Councilmember Damon L. Alexander, City of San Bernardino
• Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager, City of Whittier
• Devon Hedemark, GIS Coordinator, City of Shasta Lake
• Council Member Marisela Santana, City of Lynwood
• Jason Behrmann, City Manager, City of Elk Grove
• Myah Mashhadialireza, Community Spaces Program Manager, Isla Vista Community Services District
• Alex Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor, City of Hercules
• Mary Jo Flynn-Nevins, MS, CEM, Chief of Emergency Services, Sacramento County OES
• Ojig Yeretsian, Management Associate II, Alameda County Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Program​
• Rainie Torrance, Assistant Utility Manager, City of Needles
• Greg Grammer, City Manager, City of Rolling Hills Estates
• Dominique Davis, City Clerk, City of Seaside
• Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender, Contra Costa County
• Shelli Lamb, District Manager, Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District
• Sarah Church, Sustainability Project Manager, Alameda County General Services Agency Office of Sustainability
• Bridgette Moore, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Wildomar
• Nate Farnsworth, Planning Manager, City of Yorba Linda
• Vladimir Soghomonyan, Sr. Assistant to City Council, City of Glendale
• Joanne Parker, Grants and Legislation Manager, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District 
• Alexa Davis, Assistant City Manager, City of Rolling Hills Estates
• Stacey Gill, Chief Building Official, Town of Danville
• Adria Jimenez, City Clerk, City of Buena Park
• Wanda Williams, Supervisor – District 3, Solano County Board of Supervisors
• Peter Bird, Senior Planner, City of Shasta Lake
• Dr. Helen Cox, Sustainability Division Manager, City of Thousand Oaks