Al Vanderberg
The MME Experience Committee would like to thank those who submitted nominees for the slate of MME Awards that are presented at the Winter Institute each year as advertised on the listserv. We are largely an association of humble individuals who move on to our next challenge without celebrating our successes. I think it’s important for our managers and our profession to celebrate the outstanding work that our members do to provide excellent professional management services in their communities.
We have also added a new award—Advancing Women in Local Government Leadership Award—which will be awarded annually in memory of Christine Burns.
We are closing in on the MME History update. We need just a few MME Winter Institute Programs to round out that part of the history. The missing years are 1995 and 2009–2014. If anyone could send electronic or loan hard copies of those we would greatly appreciate it.
Al Vanderberg
Chair, Experience Committee
Administrator/Controller, Kent County
Al Vanderberg serves as county administrator/controller of Kent County since August 2021. Previously, Al served as county administrator of Ottawa County; deputy county administrator/controller of Kent County; city manager of South Haven: and assistant city manager of Greenville. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan and Master of Public Administration from Michigan State University. Al served as president of the Michigan Municipal Executives and Michigan Association of County Administrative Officials (MACAO), chair of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) Board of Directors, and chair of the former West Michigan Strategic Alliance. He 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 Michigan Department of Civil Rights Council for Government and Education on Equity and Inclusion, the NACo DEI Advisory Group, and the National Association of County Administrators Board of Directors. He 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. He can be reached at al.vanderberg@kentcountymi.gov.