VCU’s Wilder School Announces 2012 'Excellence in Virginia Government Awards'

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs in the College of Humanities and Sciences will honor individuals and organizations in six categories for distinctive contributions to the practice of government and dedication to the well-being of Virginia’s communities.

The awards will be presented during the eighth annual Excellence in Virginia Government Awards ceremony on Friday, Dec. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott, 500 E. Broad St.

The following awards will be presented for significant contributions to Virginia through public service:

Lifetime Achievement Award: With four decades of leadership and service to Henrico County, Virgil R. Hazelett will be recognized for management practices and efficiency that have brought national recognition to the county. Hazelett, who has served as county manager for nearly 20 years, oversees a budget of more than $1.4 billion and a workforce of more than 10,000. Henrico was recognized as the first locality in the nation to receive a AAA bond rating after the federal government’s bond rating downgrade.  

Public Private Partnership Award: The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) and President and Executive Director David Lohr will be recognized for creating a first-of-its-kind facility that brings together university research and company product development. This partnership of government, university and industry representatives is striving to become globally recognized in surface engineering and manufacturing systems and is working to become Virginia’s “Silicon Valley” for advanced manufacturing.  

Innovation in Government Award: The Chesterfield County Economic Development Department and the Chesterfield County Public Library created “My Business Starts Here,” a web-based portal with access to data and information for starting a small business in Chesterfield County. The user-friendly portal provides access to the resources of both entities to provide accurate and specific information for starting a small business in the county.

Community Enhancement Award: The Up Center and President Edward Welp will be honored for a longtime commitment to positively impacting individuals and families in the Hampton Roads area. With seven offices, the center is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Hampton Roads, serving more than 10,000 people last year by protecting children, strengthening families, empowering people in crisis and maximizing independence for those with disabilities.    

Unsung Heroes Award: Stuart Blackwell, grounds supervisor at the Virginia State Capitol, will be recognized for his efforts promoting and maintaining the attractive landscape that surrounds the capitol. Since 1963, Blackwell has been responsible for the planting of flowers and shrubs and maintaining the grounds at Capitol Square in all types of weather and during a number of major building renovations. 

Hill-Robinson Expansion of Freedom Award: The Northern Virginia Technology Council, President and Chief Operating Officer Bobbie G. Kilberg and Vice President for Policy Josh Levi will be honored for supporting and promoting the region’s technology community since the council’s start in 1991.Today, NVTC is the largest technology council in the nation, representing more than 200,000 employees from more than 1,000 companies, including technology, universities, foreign embassies, nonprofit agencies and governmental agencies.