Fridley City Manager Wally Wysopal honored with the 2022 Leadership Award from the League of Minnesota Cities

(June 24, 2022 – St. Paul, MN) Fridley City Manager Wally Wysopal was named recipient of the 2022 James F. Miller Leadership Award yesterday by the League of Minnesota Cities. The award was announced at the League’s Annual Conference of city officials in Duluth.

Wysopal has worked as the Fridley manager since 2013 after holding a similar position in North St. Paul. Prior to that, he was the assistant city manager for the City of St. Louis Park.

Early in his tenure, Wysopal was instrumental in leading the city through the development and construction of a new Fridley Civic Campus, a single site hosting a city hall, fire/police station and a public works garage in addition to a community gathering space with an amphitheater and outdoor plaza. The project also included the construction of 100 units of housing. Wysopal also led the city through perhaps its largest industrial redevelopment project of a 122-acre brownfield, known as Northern Stacks. Upon its completion, Northern Stacks increased in market value from approximately $12.5 million to more than $120 million.

Wysopal has served in various roles for municipal organizations, including membership in multiple subcommittees for the Minnesota City/County Management Association. He has served as a volunteer for numerous civic organizations and as an adjunct instructor for several local colleges and universities.

The Leadership Award is considered the League’s highest honor for appointed city officials and is given annually in recognition for outstanding service. It is named for former League executive director James F. Miller, who retired in 2015 after 22 years of service.

The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership organization dedicated to helping cities throughout Minnesota build quality communities through effective advocacy, expert analysis, trusted guidance, and collective action. The League serves its more than 830 member cities through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management, and other services.