TUSCALOOSA, AL — More than 90 City of Tuscaloosa employees were recognized for their service, leadership and job performance during the city's fifth annual Employee Excellence Awards.
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The ceremony was held Friday, Sept. 18, at the Tuscaloosa River Market, with employees honored for achievements ranging from decades of service to peer recognition and leadership development.
"I continue to be impressed by the talented employees who go above and beyond in service to our City and their peers," Mayor Walt Maddox said. "The dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment of these individuals exemplify what it means to be a true public servant."
The city created the Excellence Awards program to recognize employees for exemplary individual achievement, contributions and job performance.
This year's program included Cheers for Peers recognition, service awards for employees with 25, 30 and 35 years on the job, Excellence Awards, Mayor's Excellence Awards and graduation from the city's Emerging Leaders program.
Emerging Leaders is intended to identify and develop the next generation of leaders within city government.
"The Employee Excellence Awards has become one of my favorite traditions," Chief Human Resources Officer LaShonda Kemp said. "Each year, I look forward to shining a light on more of our incredible employees and their commitment to the City."
Here are the employees recognized during the 2026 ceremony, in the order they appeared on the event program:
Cheers for Peers Recognition: Wilbur Beaver, Treshawn Brown, Stacy Cooper, Susan Curvin, Dallas Gantt and Courtney Reese.
25 Years of Service: Daniel Anderson, Tracey Benson, Wesley Bigham, Lykendrick Brown, Tracy Cammon, Brian Carroll, Robert Darling, Christopher Edgeworth, Amanda Gann, Sheila Gladney, Bruce Guinn, Jarrett Ivey, Wesley Jacobs, Christopher James, Dominic Jones, Derek Kilgore, Tiffani Langston, Tony Lester, Angela Lewis, Jason Lowery, Bryant Thompson, Jason Townsend and Tarence Webb.
30 Years of Service: Scott Barton, Russ Blake, Michael Chaisson, Kyle Coleman, Jason Estes, Brett Garrett, Jeffrey Hargrave, Jeremy Herron, Lloyd Hinton, Chris Holloway, Randall Howell, David Hughes, Al Jones, Stephanie Jones, Randy Latner, Marty McElroy, Jimmy Meeks, Blake Nelson, Glen Nelson, Brady Perrigin, Jeff Roberts, Charles Smith and Daniel Trimble.
35 Years of Service: John Brook, Michelle Carroll, Frankie Malone, Tim Shanahan, Philip Simpson, Reginald Spencer and Jimbo Woodson.
Excellence Awards: Ambre Adams, Jonathan Babb, Hollis Baughn, David Burkhalter, Hudson Cheshire, Tannette Eyres, Jason Fife, Mary Beth Franks, Candace Harris, Timothy Howard, Barry Junkin, Tiara Lafaele, Josh Morrison, Durey Morrow, Beau Nelson, Butler Newman, Steven Niven, Liam O'Leary, Carolyn Patton, Jennifer Smeltzer, Christopher Webster and Dylan Woods.
Mayor's Excellence Awards: Slade Martin, Marty McElroy and Trent Smelley.
Emerging Leaders Class Graduation: Haley Abbett, Lachlan Chromister, Candace Elmore, Cory Folds, Zach Hamm, Darryl Holman, Lillie McIntyre, Bridgette Riter and Corderal Smith.
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