Last week, the Kansas Association of City-County Management (KACM) met to recognize excellence in public service and honor members of the profession for their years of service.
Jonathan Mitchell, City Manager of the City of Hoisington, was named the President of the Kansas Association of City/County Management for 2021.
This year, KACM honored Kathy Sexton, City Manager for the City of Derby with the Buford M. Watson, Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Management in Kansas.
Kathy has served the City of Derby as City Manager since 2006. Previously, she served as the Assistant County Manager for Sedgwick County. Kathy received her master’s of public administration from Wichita State University in 1992. Kathy will retire from the City of Derby later this week.
“Simply put, Kathy is a doer. She isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and do what is needed to get the job done,” said Kiel Mangus, Deputy City Manager for the City of Derby. “She often comments to staff that master plans and studies are intended to be made into projects and completed, not just sit on a shelf and collect dust. She has the tenacity to make things happen, while still delivering initiatives focused on high levels of customer satisfaction and honoring the public trust required to sustain those achievements.”
The Association honored Amy Lange, City Manager of Concordia, and Lucas Neece, Assistant City Administrator of Lindsborg, with the Early Career Excellence Award.
Amy Lange was named City Manager for Concordia in January 2018. She brought a wealth of public management experience to the City of Concordia. She previously served in a variety of capacities for public organizations since 2005 including the City of Salina, Salina Public Schools, and Cloud County Community College. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in construction science and management and master’s degree in public administration from Kansas State University.
Lucas Neece was hired by the City of Lindsborg in 2018 as the Assistant City Administrator. In that role, he was tasked with the primary responsibility for economic development. As part of his efforts, the need for quality childcare was identified as an opportunity for the community. He has worked tirelessly to oversee and passionately promote the Sprout House childcare facility in Lindsborg. Lucas received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Kansas and has had multiple international experiences working in architecture, housing, land planning, and international development.
Six retiring city management professionals in Kansas were honored for their years of service to cities and were awarded the Career Recognition Award: Jay Dill, City Manager of Kinsley; Bill Ebel, City Manager of Overland Park; Greg DuMars, City Administrator of Lindsborg; Mark McAnarney, City Manager of Emporia; Kathy Sexton, City Manager of Derby; and John Torline, City Administrator of North Newton.
Allen Dinkel, City Manager of Junction City, was honored with the Sunflower Award for his efforts working with other levels of government in support of cities in Kansas. Penny Postoak Ferguson, County Administrator of Johnson County, was honored with the Leadership Award for the county’s pandemic response and recovery while continuing to meet other challenges in the community through innovative measures.
Nathan Law, City Administrator of Louisburg, will be the Vice President. Taggart Wall, City Manager of Winfield will serve as Secretary, and J.D. Gilbert, Ford County Administrator, will serve as Treasurer.