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.
![Alma Karina Martinez City Of El Monte 640x830 1](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Alma-Karina-Martinez-City-of-El-Monte-640x830-1-e1717424873338-300x300.jpg)
City Manager of the Year
Alma Karina Martinez
City of El Monte, CA
![David Schoon City Of Winnetka](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/David-Schoon-City-of-Winnetka-300x300.jpg)
Community Development Director of the Year
David Schoon
Village of Winnetka, IL
![Mike Perry Hopkinsville Ky](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mike-Perry-Hopkinsville-KY-300x300.jpg)
City Engineer / Public Works Director of the Year
Mike Perry
City of Hopkinsville, KY
![Chrstian Hamilton Stephens County Georgia E1717424985220](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Chrstian-Hamilton-Stephens-County-Georgia-e1717424985220.png)
Transformational Leader Award
Christian Hamilton
Stephens County, GA
![Nicole Zieba City Of Reedley California](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Nicole-Zieba-City-of-Reedley-California-300x300.jpg)
Resilience Champion Award
Nicole Zieba
City of Reedley, CA
![Aj Oconnel City Of Kingsburg California](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AJ-OConnel-City-of-Kingsburg-California-ICC-e1717425023371.png)
Public Service Innovator Award
A.J. O’Connell
City of Kingsburg, CA
![Paula Pelzer West Pelzer Sc](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Paula-Pelzer-West-Pelzer-SC.jpg)
Community Builder Award
Paula Payton
Town of West Pelzer, SC
![Img 0581](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0581-300x300.jpg)
Sustainability Trailblazer Award
H. Ted Gerber
City of South Pasadena, CA
![Cody Schindler City Of Alma](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cody-Schindler-City-of-Alma-300x300.jpg)
Future Leader Award
Cody Schindler
City of Alma, AR
![Steve Williamson Village Of Key Biscayne Fl](https://cdlawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Steve-Williamson-Village-of-Key-Biscayne-FL-300x300.jpg)
Infrastructure Visionary Award
Steve Williamson
Village of Key Biscayne, FL
Know someone who deserves to be nominated?
While nominations are currently closed, get on the list to be notified when submissions are being accepted for 2025.
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