Eagan City Administrator Shares Communicator of the Year Award

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It seems as if Tom Hedges preferred not to talk about his communications award.

Hedges, Eagan’s city administrator, was honored by the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators last month as being co-recipient of the 2012 Communicator of the Year award. 

The award, according to a MAGC press release, “recognizes an individual who has helped build public trust in government by effectively presenting accurate, timely and meaningful information.”

Hedges shared the honor with Woodbury’s retired communications coordinator, Julie Lehr.

The Eagan City Council recognized Hedges for winning the award during Tuesday night’s meeting, even though he apparently balked at the notion of it being mentioned.

Mayor Mike Maguire said Hedges “expressly prohibited” mention of the award being included on the council agenda.

“In your defense, Tom, your wishes not to have this recognition on the agenda were very clearly communicated, which reinforces why you are so worthy of the award,” said Maguire, who added he would not reveal the identity of the city staff member who added the recognition anyway.

“Tom was recognized because of his ability to communicate about local government issues to constituents ... but also for his ability to work with media and explain local processes and procedures, which sometimes can be cumbersome and sometimes not be all that exciting or interesting,” Maguire said. “He has the ability to make it understanding, concise and interesting.

“We know what a great communicator you are.”

Hedges received handshakes from councilors and applause from those on hand for Tuesday’s meeting.

Here is the MAGC press release announcing the award that appears on the city’s website:

The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) is pleased to announce the 2012 Communicators of the Year – Tom Hedges, city administrator for the City of Eagan, and Julie Lehr, communications coordinator for the City of Woodbury (retired Dec. 2011). The announcement was made on May 21, 2012, at the 30th anniversary of the MAGC-sponsored Northern Lights Banquet.

The Communicator of the Year award recognizes an individual who has helped build public trust in government by effectively presenting accurate, timely and meaningful information. Typically, one person is selected for this prestigious award, but this year, due to the outstanding quality of nominees, the selection committee felt strongly that two individuals needed to be recognized.

Hedges was nominated by Tom Garrison, communications director and Joanna Foote, communications coordinator for the City of Eagan. He has served as Eagan’s city administrator for 35 years and during that time has earned respect from local and statewide reporters for his prompt and transparent responses. Hedges’ daily work demonstrates that good government communications often starts – and ends – at the top.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized for one’s life work,” said Hedges. “My career has been dedicated to open communications with residents and the media. To be nominated by our Eagan communications team is humbling, but to be supported in that nomination by so many reporters who’ve covered Eagan over the years and by the professional communicators at MAGC is especially gratifying.”

Lehr was nominated by Sara Swenson, assistant director of administration for the Dakota County CDA, and Jason Egerstrom, communications coordinator for the City of Woodbury. Lehr’s 18-year career in government communications embodied a commitment to providing the public with useful, quality information. Her dedication was unwavering and often led her to go above and beyond the normal expectations of her position.

"I am keenly aware of the talent, professionalism and dedication exhibited by government communicators working at many levels and in many jurisdictions in Minnesota," said Julie Lehr. "There are many worthy of this award, so I am surprised and humbled to be named as a Communicator of the Year by MAGC. I can think of no greater honor than being recognized by my peers, and I am grateful to MAGC for this award."

The MAGC Northern Lights Contest, which recognizes excellence in government communications drew 151 entries from across the state. Of those, 66 received awards including 24 awards of excellence and 42 awards of merit. Six awards of excellence projects were nominated for the Best in Show and the winner was the “Linden Hills Neighborhood Direct Mail” brochure from Metro Transit.

The City of Eagan staff also received Awards of Excellence for the Fire Safety Center video and for the Holz Farm Christmas video. Awards of Merit were received for Fire & Ice Cream video and  for the special event planning and execution of the Grand Opening of the Fire Safety Center.