Award Winners CDLA Recipients
Meet the leaders driving community success
Receiving a Community Development Leadership Award (CDLA) isn’t just a form of recognition — it’s a celebration of the leaders who go above and beyond to create safer places to live, work, and play.
While we can only give out so many awards every year, every nomination for the CDLAs is an honor in and of itself. Each nominee has achieved accomplishments that embody the vision, perseverance, and integrity that sustains today’s neighborhoods (and will continue to drive us forward for generations to come).
2024 CDLA winners
Congratulations to the following leaders who are paving a path toward better, safer communities.
City Manager of the Year
Alma Karina Martinez
City of El Monte, CA
Community Development Director of the Year
David Schoon
Village of Winnetka, IL
City Engineer / Public Works Director of the Year
Mike Perry
City of Hopkinsville, KY
Transformational Leader Award
Christian Hamilton
Stephens County, GA
Resilience Champion Award
Nicole Zieba
City of Reedley, CA
Public Service Innovator Award
A.J. O’Connell
City of Kingsburg, CA
Community Builder Award
Paula Payton
Town of West Pelzer, SC
Sustainability Trailblazer Award
H. Ted Gerber
City of South Pasadena, CA
Future Leader Award
Cody Schindler
City of Alma, AR
Infrastructure Visionary Award
Steve Williamson
Village of Key Biscayne, FL
Know someone who deserves to be nominated?
Nominations are now open and will be accepted until January 31, 2025.
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION