The Public Sector HR Association proudly announces the recipients of its 2024 Awards of Excellence. These prestigious awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of HR professionals and agencies across the public sector. The awards highlight individuals and organizations that have significantly advanced the field of public sector HR through innovative initiatives, exceptional leadership, and unwavering commitment to their communities.
- President’s Award: Mark Van Bruggen, IPMA-SCP
- Recipient: Mark Van Bruggen, 2024 PSHRA President.
- Role: HR Consultant to the Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (NJ CSC).
- Accomplishments: Mark has dedicated over 35 years to public sector HR, serving in various leadership roles within PSHRA, including re-chartering the New Jersey chapter in 1996. His leadership and contributions to the association and the field have earned him the prestigious 2024 President’s Award.
- Small Agency Award: City of Kerrville, Texas
- Recipient: City of Kerrville, Texas.
- Initiative: “Raising the Employee Engagement Stakes.”
- Details: This unique employee engagement program rewards the city’s 339 full-time employees with department-specific poker chips for outstanding performance. These chips can be redeemed for various prizes, from gift cards to extra vacation days, fostering a culture of recognition and motivation.
- Medium Agency Award: Johnson County Government, Olathe, Kansas
- Recipient: Johnson County Government, Olathe, Kansas.
- Program: VIBE (Voices of Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity).
- Details: VIBE is the cornerstone of Johnson County’s efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within the workplace. The program includes multi-modal DEIB training, an annual Juneteenth celebration, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition.
- Large Agency Award: City of Houston, Texas
- Recipient: City of Houston, Texas.
- Program: Prenatal, Parental, and Infant Wellness Leave.
- Details: The City of Houston, with over 22,000 employees, launched a transformational wellness leave program that offers paid leave for prenatal care, parental bonding, and infant wellness, setting a new standard for employee benefits in the public sector.
- Chapter Award of Excellence: PSHRA® North Carolina
- Recipient: PSHRA North Carolina Chapter.
- Initiative: Strategic partnerships, including NC4ME.
- Details: The North Carolina chapter has excelled in membership recruitment, educational programs, and strategic partnerships, such as the NC4ME initiative, which provides free direct hire services to local governments by leveraging the skills of retiring veterans.
- Honorary Life Membership: Jennifer Fairweather
- Recipient: Jennifer Fairweather.
- Role: Former President of PSHRA International.
- Accomplishments: Jennifer has been a pivotal figure in PSHRA®’s evolution, contributing to the HR2020 report, branding efforts, and strategic objectives. Her dedication and service to the association are honored with the 2024 Honorary Life Membership.
The 2024 PSHRA Awards of Excellence showcase the dedication and innovation of public sector HR professionals and agencies. These awards highlight the importance of leadership, engagement, diversity, and wellness in fostering a thriving public sector workforce. Congratulations to all the recipients for their outstanding contributions to the field.
