The Gene Kuthy Award
Gene Kuthy was a consummate board member. He helped form CEDAM in 1998, seeing the need to create a statewide organization to serve the community economic development industry, and was one of our original board members.
To honor the late Gene Kuthy, CEDAM honors a current or former board member of a CEDAM member who embodies Gene’s positive and unique attributes: fun, larger than life, generous, an incredible networker, a champion of a particular program, and more.
The Award will be presented at CEDAM’s Annual Membership Event, and $5,000 will be given to the organization in which the recipient serves.
Shannon Murphy, a former board member of Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) in Lansing, was our 2024 Gene Kuthy Award winner.
The Gene Kuthy Award is sponsored by:
Leader of the Year
CEDAM recognizes a Community Economic Development Leader of the Year. This is a CEDAM member who has engaged in creative programming, been involved in an exciting new development, or has generally proved to be a leader in the field.
Cindy Eggleton, president and co-founder of Brilliant Cities, was the 2025 Leader of the Year Award winner.
Advocate of the Year
The Advocate of the Year award goes to an organization or individual who has done the most to advance community economic development in Michigan or has made extraordinary strides in fostering a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
In 2024, two individuals were presented with this award: Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet and Senator John Damoose.