Local Government Champions
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
Nate Farnsworth, Planning Manager, City of Yorba Linda
“Nate has tirelessly pursued the goal of getting the City of Yorba Linda’s Housing Element approved. Nate worked diligently and in earnest and is the reason why Yorba Linda was the first city in Orange County, CA to have a fully-certified Housing Element approved by the Department of Housing & Community Development.” Read 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
