Eagan City Administrator Named Communicator of the Year

The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) is pleased to announce the 2012 Communicators of the Year—Tom Hedges, city administrator for the City of Eagan, and Julie Lehr, communications coordinator for the City of Woodbury (retired Dec. 2011). The announcement was made on May 21, 2012, at the 30th anniversary of the MAGC-sponsored Northern Lights Banquet.

The Communicator of the Year award recognizes an individual who has helped build public trust in government by effectively presenting accurate, timely and meaningful information. Typically, one person is selected for this prestigious award, but this year, due to the outstanding quality of nominees, the selection committee felt strongly that two individuals needed to be recognized.

Hedges was nominated by Tom Garrison, communications director and Joanna Foote, communications coordinator for the City of Eagan. He has served as Eagan’s city administrator for 35 years and during that time has earned respect from local and statewide reporters for his prompt and transparent responses. Hedges’ daily work demonstrates that good government communications often starts—and ends—at the top.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized for one’s life work,” said Hedges. “My career has been dedicated to open communications with residents and the media. To be nominated by our Eagan communications team is humbling, but to be supported in that nomination by so many reporters who’ve covered Eagan over the years and by the professional communicators at MAGC is especially gratifying.”

Lehr was nominated by Sara Swenson, assistant director of administration for the Dakota County CDA, and Jason Egerstrom, communications coordinator for the City of Woodbury. Lehr’s 18-year career in government communications embodied a commitment to providing the public with useful, quality information. Her dedication was unwavering and often led her to go above and beyond the normal expectations of her position.

"I am keenly aware of the talent, professionalism and dedication exhibited by government communicators working at many levels and in many jurisdictions in Minnesota," said Julie Lehr. "There are many worthy of this award, so I am surprised and humbled to be named as a Communicator of the Year by MAGC. I can think of no greater honor than being recognized by my peers, and I am grateful to MAGC for this award."

The MAGC Northern Lights Contest, which recognizes excellence in government communications drew 151 entries from across the state. Of those, 66 received awards including 24 awards of excellence and 42 awards of merit. Six awards of excellence projects were nominated for the Best in Show and the winner was the “Linden Hills Neighborhood Direct Mail” brochure from Metro Transit.