Governing Announces 2013 Public Officials of the Year

Top State and Local Government Officials Honored in 22nd-Annual Awards Program


WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Oct 31, 2013) - Governing Magazine today announced the nine public officials who are being honored as the year's best and brightest in state and local government.

"We're extremely proud to be recognizing such outstanding leaders at the state and local level -- particularly at a time when federal government is paralyzed by partisan bickering," said Governing Executive Editor Zach Patton. "We hear so much about what's going wrong in government. These nine men and women are what's right."

Now in its 22nd year, the Public Officials of the Year program recognizes leaders from state, city and county government who exemplify the ideals of public service. "We're always happy to highlight government officials who are doing great work," said Governing Publisher Erin Waters. "But the nine leaders we're recognizing this year are particularly outstanding. They've shown a sterling dedication to serving the public through strong leadership and good management. We're grateful for their service."

Governing's 2013 Public Officials of the Year include:

Anthony Brown, Lieutenant Governor, State of Maryland
José Cisneros, Treasurer, City & County of San Francisco, California
Karen DeSalvo, Health Commissioner, City of New Orleans, Louisiana
Greg Fischer, Mayor, City of Louisville, Kentucky
William Howell, Speaker, House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Virginia
John Kitzhaber, Governor, State of Oregon
Kathy Nesbitt, Executive Director, Department of Personnel and Administration, State of Colorado
L. Brooks Patterson, Executive, Oakland County, Michigan
Emily Rahimi, Digital and Social Media Manager, New York City, New York

Public Officials of the Year are selected from nominations submitted by readers, experts in the public and private sectors and the Governing editorial team. Among the qualities recognized are leadership, courage, innovation, creativity and good management. Learn more here.

Award winners are profiled in the December issue of the magazine and on governing.com. They will be honored at a dinner at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. on February 3.

Underwriters of the Public Officials of the Year Program for 2013 who have joined Governing to celebrate the impact of state and local governments on communities and the lives of citizens include AARP, Assured Guaranty, infor, RBC and Visa.

About Governing | www.governing.com
Governing covers politics, policy and management for state and local government leaders. Recognized as the most credible and authoritative voice in its field, Governing provides non-partisan news, insight and analysis on budget and finance; transportation and infrastructure; workforce and economic development; health and human services and more.

Governing is a division of e.Republic, the nation's only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.