09/22/2026
Municipal Awards Presented During OML Annual Conference
Last week during the 2026 Oklahoma Municipal League Annual Conference, several municipal leaders were recognized for their accomplishments and work on behalf of their municipalities.
The award winners recognized include the following:
The Mayor of the Year Award: First established in 1992 recognizing outstanding mayors who have made significant contributions to their community as well as their profession through personal growth and involvement. The Mayor of the Year award has two categories, one with a population of 5,000 and over, and fewer than 5,000.
• The 2026 Mayor of the Year for communities over 5,000 – awarded by the Mayor’s Council of Oklahoma: Mayor of Broken Arrow, Debra Wimpee.
• The 2026 Mayor of the Year for communities under 5,000 – awarded by the Mayor’s Council of Oklahoma: Mayor of Perry, Lawrence Wortham.
The Jeff Shockley Award: The 2026 winner is Pam Polk, City Manager of Durant.
This award was established in 2021 recognizing outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities. Named after Jeff Shockley, long-time Poteau mayor, OML Board Member, and Hall of Fame inductee, Shockley was a great ambassador for OML, the City of Poteau, and the State of Oklahoma.
Tribal Municipal Partnership Award: Presented jointly by the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) and the Mayors Council of Oklahoma (MCO), the Tribal Municipal Partnership Award honors outstanding collaboration between Oklahoma’s municipalities and Tribal Nations. This prestigious award recognizes elected officials, municipal staff, and Tribal leaders who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships that enhance community well-being and governance.
• 2026 Tribal Municipal Partnership Award Winner: Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and the Cherokee Nation
The Don Rider Award: The 2026 winner is Michael Jones, Assistant City Manager of Woodward.
The Don Rider Transparency in Government Award sponsored by the Oklahoma Press Association and OML was established in 2021 to recognize municipal governments and employees who live up to the principles of transparency, both in the letter and spirit of the law. Don Rider was a leader in the creation and passage of the two most important Oklahoma laws that help citizens interact with their government – the Open Records Act and the Open Meeting Act.
Municipal Innovations Award: In 1996, OML created an award to recognize cities and towns for their innovative ideas. With this award, the goal is to encourage the sharing of ideas among our members and to celebrate the innovations of Oklahoma’s municipalities.
• 2026 Innovations Award for communities over 5,000 winner: City of Altus - The Altus Collaborative Partnership Model: One Community. One Mission
• 2026 Innovations Award for communities under 5,000 winner: City of Alva for the Salt Fork Event Center.
Women of the Year Awards: The Oklahoma Women in Municipal Government group established this award to recognize outstanding women who have made significant contributions to their community through their role in municipal government.
• The 2026 Woman of the Year for communities over 5,000 winner: Carrie Evenson, City of Midwest City
• The 2026 Woman of the Year for communities under 5,000 winner: Vickie Patterson, City of Broken Bow
“The OML Annual Awards recognize the best of municipal government in the State of Oklahoma,” said Mike Fina, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Municipal League. “These awards give us a chance to highlight the outstanding work and dedication that is happening all across the state, and we are grateful that municipalities allow us to share their stories.”
The Oklahoma Municipal League is the authoritative source for information, training, and resources on effective local government for member organizations and is recognized as the unified voice of Oklahoma cities and towns.
# # #
