By Al Vanderberg
The Experience Committee is hard at work on our two of our main activities – awards. First, the Patriarche Award recipient has been selected and will formally be presented at the MML Annual Convention happening this year Oct. 19-21 in Muskegon. Second, are the MME Awards, which will be presented at the MME Winter Institute.
We are also working to update the MME history and the goal is to have this completed and presented at the 2023 MME Winter Institute. We would appreciate any stories, photos, or other information that you would like to see considered for inclusion in the history update which will be in both digital and written format.
Mark Wollenweber was recently informed that he will receive the ICMA Distinguished Service Award at the upcoming ICMA Conference! The award recipients are scheduled to be recognized on Sunday, Sept. 18, during the conference’s opening ceremony.
Congratulations to Mark on an awesome achievement in a spectacular career! We hope our Michigan contingent attending the ICMA Conference will be on hand to help give Mark the recognition he deserves, Daryl Delabbio received this award two years ago and this brings the MME to five who have achieved this award over the years.
Al Vanderberg
Chair, Experience Committee
Kent County Administrator/Controller
Al Vanderberg serves as county administrator/controller of Kent County since August 2021. Previously, Al served as county administrator of Ottawa County; deputy county administrator/controller of Kent County; city manager of South Haven: and assistant city manager of Greenville. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and Master of Public Administration Degree from Michigan State University.
Al served as president of the Michigan Municipal Executives and Michigan Association of County Administrative Officials (MACAO), chair of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) Board of Directors, and chair of the former West Michigan Strategic Alliance. He was appointed by Gov. Snyder to the Michigan Municipal Services Authority Board of Directors and Executive Committee and was appointed by Gov. Snyder and reappointed by Gov. Whitmer to the Michigan Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission. Al is a member of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights Council for Government and Education on Equity and Inclusion, the NACo DEI Advisory Group, and the National Association of County Administrators Board of Directors. He is a member of the adjunct faculty of Grand Valley State University where he teaches in the undergraduate and masters programs. He also writes and speaks frequently on local government management topics and issues. He can be reached at al.vanderberg@kentcountymi.gov.