Meet the 2026 OCMA Annual Awardees
The OCMA Annual Awards recognize fellow local government colleagues who are exceptional in promoting excellence in local government. Nominations are made by professionals in local government toward projects and individuals that go above and beyond for their respective communities. This year, we received a record-breaking number of award nominations, a testament to the great work that local governments are doing across the State of Ohio.
The following are the award winners in each category for the 2026 OCMA Awards.
Placemaking
City of Upper Arlington – Bob Crane Community Center
The Bob Crane Community Center stands as Upper Arlington’s most significant placemaking achievement in generations, transforming a previous underutilized commercial site into a multi-generational public hub that strengthens community identity and enhances quality of life. Long envisioned by residents, the Bob Crane Community Center fulfills decades of community desire for a central gathering place that reflects Upper Arlington’s character, values, and commitment to inclusive, people focused spaces.
Built on 1.4 acres in the center of Upper Arlington’s Kingsdale redevelopment zone, the Bob Crane Community Center acts as an anchor that draws people into the district and supports local business activity. Within four months of opening (July, 2025), more than 10,000 members have joined. Foot traffic in the Kingsdale business district increased 10% from the previous year. This project is a shared community landmark that reflects Upper Arlington’s spirit and demonstrates what intentional, innovative placemaking can achieve.
Redevelopment Projects
City of Sandusky – Jackson Street Pier Redevelopment
The redevelopment of Jackson Street Pier represents one of the most visible and impactful public space transformations in the City of Sandusky’s modern history. What had been a four-acre parking lot and ferry staging area on the downtown waterfront is now a vibrant public destination that brings residents, visitors, and community partners together at the edge of Lake Erie.
Today, the Jackson Street Pier functions as a catalyst for downtown vitality, a driver of tourism, and a welcoming daily space for residents. It represents the best of municipal redevelopment: community driven design, strong management, and long-term stewardship. For its bold transformation, public value and leadership by the City Commission, former City Manager Eric Wobser, City Manager John Orzech, and
Interim Public Work Director Josh Snyder, the Jackson Street Pier is an excellent example of a community redevelopment project.
Career Achievement
Keith Johnson, City of Miamisburg
Keith Johnson has served as City Manager of Miamisburg since 2009, guiding the city through transformative change and leaving a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and resilience. His career exemplifies the highest standards of public service and leadership in local government. Keith’s tenure has been marked by bold initiatives that have reshaped Miamisburg’s economic and cultural landscape. He led the redevelopment of the historic Mound site, converted a Cold War-era facility into a thriving business campus that attracts hi-tech companies and fuels regional economic growth.
Keith championed the creation of Riverfront Park, a signature public space that connects the community to the Great Miami River and serves as a focal point for recreation and events. He also oversaw improvements to Sycamore Trails Park, enhancing amenities and expanding opportunities for outdoor engagement. Keith’s career reflects vision, integrity, and impact. His leadership has transformed Miamisburg, strengthened regional partnerships, and elevated the standards of public service.
Career Development/Mentoring
Patrick Titterington, City of Troy
Patrick Titterington’s commitment to public administration spans over three decades, with 38 years of experience. Mr. Titterington’s leadership roles extend beyond his current position, as he has served as the president of OCMA, Dayton Area Manager’s Association and the Ohio Municipal League. Shortly after being hired as a Director a the City of Troy, he began a winter and summer student internship program in the City Director’s Office. He encouraged other departments to seek student interns proactively.
Throughout his career, he has mentored nearly 100 Fellows, interns, and co-op students, including 68 in Troy. Also, Mr. Titterington serves on Miami University’s Ohio Public Leaders (OPL) Fellowship advisory board. He has also spoken at classes and forums at various schools, such as Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Miami University, and Wright State University.
Distinguished Early Career Award
Charlotte Colley, City of Troy
Charlotte Colley, Assistant Director of Public Service & Safety for the City of Troy, exemplifies the qualities of innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to Public Service. Mrs. Colley serves as second in command for all city operations under the Director of Public Service & Safety with responsibility for Human Resources, Information Technology, Cemetery operations, and Billing & Collections/Income Tax. Charlotte has served as a Chief Administrative Officer or Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for
over 10+ years.
She is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, past president of OCMA Executive Board, and former Co-Chair of the 2022 ICMA Annual Conference Planning Committee for the conference hosted in Columbus. She has consistently championed the development of emerging professionals, supporting ICMA student engagement and expanding opportunities for young practitioners to enter the field.
Innovation in Local Government
City of Dublin, Drones as First Responders
The Drones as First Responder (DFR) program fundamentally transforms traditional public safety operations by leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve service delivery, response efficiency, and safety for both residents and first responders. The program deploys four autonomous drones capable of reaching incidents in as little as 90 seconds while traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. These drones provide lifesaving tools that provide immediate, actionable intelligence.
When a high-priority 911 call is received, a drone can be launched within seconds from a nearby rooftop and arrives on scene ahead of the responding officers. In practice, the results speak for themselves. Since implementation, the DFR program has completed 244 missions, totaling 47 hours and 50 minutes of flight time and covering more than 535 miles. Seventeen pilots have been fully trained, with the program completing as many as 11 missions in a single day and maintaining an average response time of just 108 seconds.
Citizen Participation
Colerain Township – Guardian Games
The Colerain Guardian Games is a community engagement event hosted by the Colerain Township Police Department and the Colerain Township Fire & EMS Department aimed at giving local high school students firsthand experience of what it takes to serve as first responders. High school seniors from local schools participate in physically demanding obstacle courses, including scaling walls, pushing a car, dragging a dummy, climbing a five-story fire training tower, and hauling a fully charged hose line that mirror the real fitness and strength tests required by first responders.
The event serves as both a recruiting tool and a hands-on educational experience, designed to build awareness among youth of the career and civic service opportunities with their township. Moreover, the Guardian Games creates informal channels for dialogue between young residents, their families and local government. Breaking down barriers, building trust and fostering community cohesion.
Intergovernmental Cooperation
City Cincinnati, Tenant Access to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings
In Cincinnati, the collaboration between the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, the City of Cincinnati’s City Manager’s Office, City Councilmember Meeka Owens and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati has resulted in a fully integrated eviction prevention ecosystem that shares data, resources, and best practices. In late 2023, in response to a significant increase in eviction filings, Cincinnati City Council unanimously passed the Access to Counsel Ordinance to help level the playing field in eviction court. This new chapter added to the City’s Municipal Code “Tenant Access to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings” codifies access to legal counsel to qualifying limited income tenants who are facing eviction.
From September 2024 through September 2025, same day representation attorneys have filed 890 appearances serving more than 450 households. The outcomes are staggering: 93.7% of total appearances result in a positive outcome for tenants. 88.8% of 366 cases tried to completion have been dismissed. Because of the success of the work, the City, County, and private philanthropy have invested more money to support expansion of same day representation and over a million dollars in rent assistance for both City and County tenants facing eviction.
