Mayor to Present August 2025 Award of Excellence

Published on September 15, 2025

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today will present the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for August 2025 to Jess Sundeen, Senior Engineering Technician, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department (LTU). The award will be presented at 3 p.m. at the beginning of the City Council meeting at the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th Street. The award recognizes City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to Lincoln.

Sundeen was nominated by Kris Humphrey, LTU Assistant City Engineer, and Russ Gasper, LTU Senior Engineer, in the category of Valor and Bravery for his efforts to render aid to an individual struck by a vehicle at a work site.

In their nomination, Humphrey and Gasper wrote that following the incident, Sundeen quickly provided first aid and comfort to the injured person until first responders arrived.

“This incident is a sober reminder of the risks field personnel face by working next to live traffic every day. Jess' quick actions and calm demeanor helped prevent a tragic outcome and contributed to the contractor's road to recovery,” the nominators wrote.

The categories in which employees can be nominated are:

  • Community Engagement – Fostering community member involvement and participation in local governance
  • Sustainability and Resilience – Promoting environmental stewardship and strengthening the City’s sustainability efforts
  • Inclusion and Belonging – Advancing equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging within City government and our community
  • Public Health and Safety – Enhancing public health, safety, and emergency preparedness
  • Economic Opportunity – Supporting local businesses, workforce development, and economic growth
  • Education and Lifelong Learning – Expanding educational opportunities and promoting lifelong learning
  • Civic Innovation – Creating and implementing new solutions that improve municipal services
  • Youth Empowerment – Encouraging young leaders and increasing youth involvement in the community
  • Cultural Vitality – Enriching Lincoln’s cultural landscape through the arts, historic preservation, and storytelling
  • Fiscal Stewardship – Demonstrating exemplary management of public resources through efficiency and accountability
  • Customer Service Excellence – Providing outstanding service to residents and enhancing their experience with City services
  • Valor and Bravery – Displaying extraordinary courage and dedication in the line of duty

Consideration also may be given to nominations that demonstrate self-initiated accomplishments or those completed outside of the nominee’s job description. All City employees are eligible for the award except for elected and appointed officials. 

Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates, and the public. Nomination forms are available at lincoln.ne.gov/awardofexcellence or from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Human Resources Department, which oversees the awards program.

All nominations are considered by the Mayor’s Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $100 gift certificate, a day off with pay and a certificate. All monthly winners and nominees are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $500 gift certificate, two days off with pay and a certificate.

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