National Governors Association Recognizes Cascade Engineering CEO with Distinguished Service Award

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, July 13, 2004, - The National Governors Association (NGA) will honor Cascade Engineering founder and chief executive officer Fred Keller, along with six other outstanding individuals and one organization, at its upcoming 96th Annual Meeting in Seattle. The Awards for Distinguished Service to State Government will be presented July 18 during the meeting's opening plenary session.

Annually, the NGA presents eight awards in three separate categories: state officials, private citizens, and distinguished service to the arts. Keller will receive one of three private citizen awards for his community leadership in Michigan, both individually and with Cascade Engineering.

“I am honored to be recognized in this fashion by the NGA, and would note that this award is a reflection of the total commitment of our organization that goes far beyond any one person,” said Keller. 

This year’s winners included a variety of organizations such as the Kansas Water Office, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Children’s Theatre Company in Minnesota.

"In a myriad of different ways, each of these distinguished honorees has made selfless and invaluable contributions to state government and public service," said NGA Chairman Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. "On behalf of my fellow governors, I commend these extraordinary individuals for their commitment to improving their communities, their states, and, indeed, their country."

Established in 1976, the NGA Awards for Distinguished Service to State Government allow governors to bring national recognition to their states' most valuable civil servants and private citizens. The awards emphasize the commitment of state administrators and the important contributions private citizens make to state government.

The awards program is administered by a selection committee comprised of three permanent representatives from the academic community, as well as a designee from both the NGA chair and vice chair.
 

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