2022: Al Vanderberg

Al Vanderberg has 35 years of service to the municipal executive profession and local government management. Vanderberg has been County Administrator/Controller of Kent County since August 2021. Previously he served as County Administrator of Ottawa County, MI; Deputy County Administrator/Controller of Kent County, MI; City Manager of South Haven, MI; and Assistant City Manager of Greenville, MI.

Vanderberg has been an active member of the Michigan Municipal Executives, including serving as MME Board President, MME Board member, and is currently chair of MME’s Experience Committee. He also was chair of MME’s Listserv Task Force. In addition, he is past president of the Michigan Association of County Administrative Offices (MACAO), chair of the Grand Valley Metropolitain Council (GVMC) Board of Directors, and chair of the former West Michigan Strategic Alliance. Vanderberg was appointed by Gov. Snyder to the Michigan Municipal Services Authority Board of Directors and Executive Committee and was appointed by Gov. Snyder and reappointed by Gov. Whitmer to the Michigan Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission.

Al is a member of the adjunct faculty of Grand Valley State University where he teaches in the undergraduate and masters programs. He also writes and speaks frequently on local government management topics and issues.

2019: Edward Koryzno

Edward Koryzno has a long history in local government, having served as city manager in Fenton, Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ypsilanti since 1981.

In 2012, he moved to the Michigan Department of Treasury, serving first as administrator of the Office of Fiscal Responsibility then as director of the Bureau of Local Government.

Koryzno has been an active member of the Michigan Municipal League, holding positions as regional officer, Workers Compensation Fund Board member, and Finance and Taxation Committee member. He has also been a prominent member of Michigan Municipal Executives, serving as president, Board member, and on the Conference Planning and Manager in Transition committees.

2018: Jack Duso

Retired Midland Assistant City Manager Jack Duso received the 2018 John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award for his service to Michigan communities spanning multiple decades.

The award was given to Duso Thursday, Sept. 20, during a MME Colloquium education session at the 2018 Michigan Municipal League Convention in Grand Rapids.

Duso retired in November 2011 after a 31-year career with the city of Midland. He began his career as an administrative intern while pursuing his master’s degree. In 1980, he was hired as the administrative assistant to the city manager, and in 1991 was promoted to assistant city manager. Jack is a former MME (MLGMA) Board member and served on several of its committees. Read more.

2017: Daryl Delabbio

Retired Kent County Administrator/Controller Daryl Delabbio received the 2017 John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award for his continued service to Michigan communities spanning multiple decades.

The award was given to Delabbio Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, during a MME Colloquium education session at the 2017 Michigan Municipal League Convention in Holland.

Delabbio retired June 30 after serving as Kent County Administrator/Controller since 1998. He previously served three years as Assistant County Administrator. Prior to working at Kent County, he was city manager in Rockford for 11 years and served in two other Michigan cities—Rockwood and Garden City. During his Kent County tenure, Delabbio successfully built partnerships within the community and made it a priority to provide excellent customer service and encourage diversity and inclusion throughout the county.

He was also the first county administrator to be elected president of the MLGMA (now MME) and the first person to serve as president of both the MLGMA and the Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers (MACAO). In addition, he was regional vice president of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Delabbio considers his in-house training programs and the formation of the Cultural Insight Council among his greatest achievements. He is humble when discussing his work in public service.

2015: Alex Allie

Retired Huntington Woods City Manager Alex Allie received the 2015 Patriarche Colloquium Award for his continued service to Michigan communities spanning multiple decades.

Allie spent more than 40 years in local government management, including over two decades as City Manager of Huntington Woods. He retired in 2014. In addition to his tenure with Huntington Woods, he served as City Manager of Owosso, Assistant City Manager of Novi, and as an Administrative Assistant to the City Manager in Berkley.

During his career, and in addition to his many professional responsibilities, Allie served on the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees, the League Finance and Taxation Committee, and the MME Board of Directors and as a member of many of its committees.

In 2012, Allie was recognized for his exemplary service to local government with an International City/County Management Association 40 year service award. In 2013, he received the Excellence in Local Government Award from MME. Read more.

kathie-grinzinger

2014: Kathie S. Grinzinger

Recently-retired Mount Pleasant City Manager Kathie S. Grinzinger was awarded the 2014 John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award by the Michigan Municipal Executives at the Michigan Municipal League’s annual convention in Marquette.

Grinzinger spent her entire public service career of over thirty years with the City of Mount Pleasant, rising from community development coordinator to assistant city manager to city manager. As city manager, she served the community for over seven years as its top administrative officer.

During her career, and in addition to her many professional responsibilities, Grinzinger found time to serve the Michigan Local Government Management Association, including service on the Association’s Board of Directors and then as president-elect, president, and past president. In 2012, Grinzinger was recognized for her service to local government with an International City/County Management Association 30-year service award. Currently, Grinzinger serves as lead executive recruiter for the Michigan Municipal League.