This award was established in 1998 by the CTS Executive Committee to recognize public leaders who through their vision, leadership, and knowledge have influenced innovative transportation policy directions that benefit society. The first recipient of this award was State Senator Keith Langseth in recognition of his leadership in sponsoring legislation that helped develop Minnesota’s transportation system and his ongoing support for transportation research and education programs.
2022 Recipient
This year’s award is presented to Margaret Anderson Kelliher, director of the Minneapolis Department of Public Works. She previously served as MnDOT commissioner, where she oversaw investments to build safer roads and bridges and improve mobility for people walking and biking statewide. She is also a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and served as Speaker from 2007 to 2011.
Past Recipients
2021
Randy Maluchnik, Carver County Commissioner (former)
2020
Representative Frank Hornstein, Minnesota House of Representatives
2019
Jon Huseby, District Engineer, MnDOT District 8
2018
Jim McDonough, Chair, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
2017
Michael Beard, Minnesota House of Representatives (former)
2016
Judge James E. Dehn
2015
D. Scott Dibble, Minnesota State Senator
2014
Susan Haigh, Chair, Metropolitan Council
2013
Margaret Donahoe, Executive Director, Minnesota Transportation Alliance
2012
James Hovland, Mayor, City of Edina
2011
Peter Bell, Metropolitan Council (former)
2010
Steve Murphy, Minnesota State Senate
2009
Ron Erhardt, Minnesota House of Representatives (former)
2008
Fred Corrigan, Executive Director, Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of Minnesota
2007
Curtis Johnson, President, Citistates Group
2006
Anne Beers, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
2005
Elliot Perovich, Transportation Analyst, Anoka County
2004
Bernie L. Lieder, Minnesota House of Representatives
2003
Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County commissioner
2002
Mary Hill Smith, Metropolitan Council
2001
Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County commissioner
2000
Carol Flynn, Minnesota Senate (former)
1999
James Oberstar, U.S. Congress (MN); Martin Sabo, U.S. Congress (MN)
1998
Keith Langseth, Minnesota Senate