Geneva City Administrator Mary McKittrick has been named the recipient of the Robert B. Morris Lifetime Achievement Award by the Illinois City/County Management Association (ILCMA), the second major honor bestowed on her this spring.

The Morris Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a municipal manager whose service has been judged by peers as “strong or exceptional, and who has made major contributions beyond direct service to local government,” according to the ILCMA. Other award criteria include having worked in local government for 20 years (with at least eight in Illinois); personal and professional contributions to the communities served, dedicated advancement of the local government management profession and service to the ILCMA.

“It was a surprise to receive the award, and I very much appreciate the recognition from my peers in city management,” said McKittrick, who will be retiring from Geneva effective Thursday, June 9. “I have always said that serving the public in this profession is a lifestyle, not a job, and I am blessed to have been able to do so throughout my career. I am grateful and humbled by the honor.”

In May, McKittrick also earned the 2016 Outstanding Administrator Award from the Greater Chicago Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.

The Chicago Chapter has been honoring outstanding professionals in the fields of public administration and policy for more than 25 years. The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual with connections to the Chicago area who has made substantial contributions to good government and public administration for an extended period of time.

The award was granted by the Northern Illinois University Department of Public Administration faculty.

During her 17 years with Geneva, McKittrick was influential in creating Geneva’s Strategic Plan Advisory Committee, the Student Government Program, partnering with NIU to establish an internship program at the City, establishing an Employee Ethics Committee, who in turn developed a City Code of Ethics, and cultivating a professionally run organization.

The City received its first budget and audit awards several years ago under McKittrick’s leadership. She also has been an advocate for improving Geneva’s communications outreach that included an updated website, improved government transparency and establishing a presence on social media.

Prior to her appointment as City Administrator in 2008, McKittrick served as Geneva’s Assistant City Administrator/Director of Administrative Services beginning in 1999. She began her career in local government as an elected official in 1985 until her appointment as the first village administrator for the Village of Oswego in 1991.

Stephanie Dawkins, who currently serves as the Assistant City Administrator/Director of Administrative Services, has been promoted to City Administrator and will lead Geneva’s daily municipal operations starting Friday, June 10.