The ACE Star Awards recognizes individuals considered as the “shining stars” of the ACE program who have performed beyond the call of duty. Now that ALM has acquired the ACE program, we are excited to continue the Star Awards by acknowledging the Advisory Board members, ACE Ambassadors, community participants, and volunteers for their work assisting the organization and the communities it serves. Nominations from Advisory Board members, Mayors and ACE Ambassadors were received in early fall, and we honored these six well-deserving recipients at the 2022 ALM Municipal Leadership Institute at the Perdido Beach Resort.
Outstanding ACE Mayor
This award recognizes a mayor who has performed above and beyond the call of duty while participating in the ACE program. The 2022 Outstanding ACE Mayor is Mayor Mark Blankenship of Ozark, AL. Ozark has been in the designation process of becoming an Alabama Community of Excellence since being chosen in 2021. “Mayor Blankenship is heavily involved with Ozark’s ACE program and initiatives. As a newly elected mayor, Mayor Blankenship went straight to work moving Ozark forward through economic and community development efforts.” Mayor Blankenship is the 14th Mayor to receive this award.
Outstanding ACE Ambassador
This award recognizes an individual who has performed above and beyond the call of duty while participating in the ACE program. Formerly known as the ACE Associates Council, now under ALM we have branded these participants as the ACE Ambassadors. They are the boots-on-the-ground experts dispatched to our communities during Phase I of the designation process. The 2022 Outstanding ACE Ambassador is Mr. Brian Rushing of the University of Alabama’s Center for Economic Development. Brian has been a long-time ACE volunteer, including serving as chair of the former Associate’s Council. His background in conservation planning and management and his role with UA’s Center for Economic Development has made him an invaluable resource for ACE communities. He provides both project leadership and technical assistance to advance many initiatives, particularly in facilitating outdoor recreation planning and development initiatives with local governments, state and federal agencies and private partners. Through his efforts, Brian helps Alabama communities take better advantage of the growing recreation and nature-based tourism markets while improving quality of life for their citizens.
Outstanding ACE Local Coordinator
This award recognizes a local coordinator which is a community participant appointed local coordinator by the mayor and who has performed above and beyond the call of duty while participating in the ACE program. The 2022 Outstanding ACE Local Coordinator is Ms. Samantha McDaniel of the newly designated ACE community – Florala, AL. “Samantha is extremely supportive and enthusiastic about the ACE Program and the resources it brings to her community. She has been invaluable in maintaining Florala’s designation and has been immediately responsive to all requests from ALM as ACE has transitioned into a League program.”
Exceptional ACE Leadership
This award recognizes an individual who has provided exceptional leadership for the ACE program. The recipient of the 2022 Exceptional ACE Leadership award is Mrs. Lisa Miller of Alabama Municipal Electrical Association. “Lisa has not only served in multiple officer positions for ACE, but she has been a tireless supporter of the program. AMEA has promoted the ACE program in its service territory and encouraged its communities to apply for certification. Lisa has served on assessment teams and acted as a mentor to those communities who successfully gained the ACE Community of Excellence designation. Lisa has consistently been one of ACE’s most enthusiastic Board members, who has actively served on various standing committees, as well as volunteering for several special projects and committees.”
Outstanding ACE Volunteer
This award recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding volunteer service to the ACE program. The 2022 Outstanding ACE Volunteer is Ms. Terece Shehan of Brewton, AL. “Terece Shehan volunteers in labor-intensive and creative endeavors as the City of Brewton meets the tasks required to be an Alabama Community of Excellence. From the Tree and Beautification Board to the Garden Club of Brewton, to a resource for celebrations she created called “The Party Closet,” she is an asset to our city.”
Outstanding ACE Team Captain
Our final award, recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding leadership to an assessment team working with the 2021 class of communities: Aliceville,
Ashville, Luverne, and Ozark. The 2022 Outstanding ACE Team Captain is Tracy Delaney. “Tracy Delaney is a community planner and contracts planning services with the South Central Alabama Development Commission (SCADC) serving Bullock, Butler, Crenshaw, Lowndes, Macon and Pike Counties. Tracy was enthusiastic to serve as the Team Captain in Luverne and continue planning work for SCADC. The Luverne application for the ACE program included a strategic plan Tracy assisted the town with developing in 2019. The plan includes feasible goals and tasks, success indicators and barriers, time-frame for implementation and responsible parties. This strategic plan includes all of the components ACE requires and had significant involvement from the community. Tracy knows Luverne and the people well and she was able to identify their needs and recruit team members who could help address them in the assessment report. She prepared the local coordinators – Kathy Smyth and Robin Snellgrove – for the two-day assessment visit resulting in robust community involvement. Tracy developed a great assessment report while dealing with the death of her mother. She will also be involved as Luverne moves forward in the process developing a leadership program and comprehensive plan.”
Congratulations to our recipients of their well-accomplished work in our ACE Communities! We look forward to next year’s Star Awards and ACE Reunion at our Municipal Leadership Institute.