Awards

TMHRA Professional Awards
are awarded at annual conference each year.


2024 will mark the 15th year of the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association’s Professional Awards Program which recognizes and honors outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to municipal human resources in Texas. Nominations will only be accepted via the online nomination forms at the links below until 5:00 p.m. on March 29, 2024.

Nomination Requirements:

Nominations may be made by someone familiar with the individual or organization’s work history such as a supervisor, co-worker, subordinate, professional peer, or self. If you have any questions please contact LaShon Gros at [email protected] or 512-539-6035 or Cat Schlueter at [email protected] or 817-444-7056.

Judging and Announcement Process

The Chair will convene the TMHRA Awards Committee to review all entries for completeness, eligibility and will make award recommendations to the TMHRA Board of Directors. The announcement and presentation of the TMHRA Professional Awards will be made during the TMHRA Annual Conference in May.

Award Categories

This year’s awards will be split into category tiers based upon City population.  There will be four awards categories for cities with a population of 25,000 and under, and four awards categories for cities with a population of 25,000 and over.  In addition, there will be one overall Lifetime Achievement Award.  The categories for each population tier are:

Rising Star

Recognizes a new member who shows exceptional promise of leadership and contribution to the association and profession. Recipients should be in the first five years of their career in public sector human resources management and can include those who have moved into public service mid-career.

  • Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words).  Required
  • Outline the nominee’s achievements that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant.  If possible, compare the achievements to the nominee’s past performance (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Attachment (links, PDFs, etc.)

Human Resources Impact Award

Recognizes a local government HR department that has developed innovative programs and/or services to solve municipal human resources management problems and/or enhanced the organizational culture. This award recognizes long-term creative solutions, large or small in scope that have shown an impact in your organization over the last 18 months. The Impact award can be given in any HR functional areas.

  • Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words).  Required
  • Outline the nominee’s achievements that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant.  If possible, compare the achievements to the nominee’s past performance (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Attachment (links, PDFs, etc.)

Human Resources Professional of the Year

Given to an employee who exemplifies significant leadership skills such as the ability to lead and guide employees, develop employee talents, and successfully manage an efficient and effective unit.

  • Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words).  Required
  • Outline the nominee’s achievements that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant.  If possible, compare the achievements to the nominee’s past performance (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Attachment (links, PDFs, etc.)

Lone or Almost aLone Ranger Award (for cities with population of 10,000 or less)

Recognizes HR Department Professional(s) who may or may not have an HR Title (City Secretary, Finance, other) who is either a department of one or two personnel tasked with HR duties and responsibilities and making a significant impact driving HR initiatives in their organization.

  • Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words).  Required
  • Outline the nominee’s achievements that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant.  If possible, compare the achievements to the nominee’s past performance (up to 250 words).  Required
  • Attachment (links, PDFs, etc.)

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant and sustained contributions to the field of municipal human resources in the state of Texas.  This person embodies the knowledge and experience sustained through outstanding contributions to the profession, and who has proven to be a supporter, mentor, and overall asset to the Texas Municipal Human Resources field of work.

  • Please explain why you are nominating this individual.
  • Provide a list of positions/cities in which this individual has served.
  • List qualifications, i.e., years of experience, certs, qualifications.
  • Describe the impact on the Municipal Human Resources profession.