Macomb Today

Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool was recently honored with the 2023 Outstanding Public Service: Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Detroit Metropolitan Chapter. 

This award is given annually to an individual whose outstanding career in public service has facilitated good governance practices in the Detroit Metropolitan area. 

ASPA’s mission is to advance excellence in public service through promoting the value of joining and elevating the public service profession, building bridges among all who pursue public purposes at home and internationally and achieving innovative solutions to the challenges of governance.

“City Manager Vanderpool is highly regarded as an outstanding public service professional in local government,” said ASPA-Detroit Metropolitan Chapter President Courtney Flynn. “Continuously working toward the greater good during his 37-year career in city management, executing sound fiscal decision making and having public service at his core are why City Manager Vanderpool was chosen as the 2023 Outstanding Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.”

City Manager Vanderpool has served as the Sterling Heights city manager since 2004, a role in which he has provided executive direction and general management for the administration and operation of all City departments comprised of more than 800 employees and 140 volunteer workers, while also overseeing the development and management of a $239 million budget for Michigan's fourth largest city. As a well-respected city manager, he has developed and implemented a proactive financial strategy in response to deteriorating economic conditions statewide. With the implementation of such a strategy, Sterling Heights has flourished with new economic development, best-in-class recreation amenities, organizational performance centered on excellence and a continued commitment to cultural diversity. 

City Manager Vanderpool has been a key figure in Sterling Heights' success, not only because of the way he empowers city staff to do the best they can, but also because of how he exemplifies what a true public servant is. 

“I’m truly humbled to be selected as this year’s ASPA Lifetime Achievement Award winner,” said Vanderpool. “It is validating to see our hard work recognized by this prestigious organization, and I wouldn’t be able to share this successful track record without the leadership of our mayor and city council and the hard work performed by our hundreds of dedicated employees every day. It has been a distinct privilege to serve this wonderful community for nearly 20 years.”

Original source can be found here.