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2009 Leadership Award Winner

City Manager William W. Burns of Fridley is the winner of the 2009 Leadership Award.

The Leadership Award is considered to be the League’s highest honor for appointed city officials, and is given annually in celebration of outstanding service.

During his 20-year-plus tenure in Fridley, Burns has played significant roles in several major projects, including the Springbrook Watershed Partnership project and the Northstar Commuter Rail Station Site. Additionally, he has been involved in key business development and redevelopment initiatives including the Christenson Crossing residential development, Gateway West residential development, Gateway East townhomes, and the Medtronic World Headquarters.

Burns’ professional involvement beyond his city duties is extensive as well. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for Metro Cities, and currently serves as a Legislative Policy Committee member for that association. Additionally, he served on the Board of the Metropolitan Area Management Association, and once coordinated an ad hoc group to discuss options for local government aid reform. Burns also was a charter member and Board of Directors member for the Southern Anoka County Community Consortium.

About the judges
Judges for the 2009 Leadership Award were Jay Kiedrowski, Senior Fellow at the Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs—University of Minnesota; Marcia Marcoux, former Rochester city councilmember; and Diana McKeown, metro coordinator for Clean Energy Resource Teams at the Green Institute.