Edward J. Finnegan Elizabeth D. Whiting Award

LGA’s Edward J. Finnegan Elizabeth D. Whiting Award for Distinguished Service recognizes an individual in the Commonwealth of Virginia who has made significant contributions to local government law or the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc. This award was established by LGA in 1991 and renamed in 1993 and to honor Edward J. Finnegan and then, in 2021 to honor his wife, Elizabeth D. Whiting. Both were long-time members of LGA, authorities on local government, past presidents of the organization, and recipients of the award. 

Eligibility

Both LGA members and nonmembers will be eligible for the award. LGA officers and/or other board members will not be eligible during their term of office.

Criteria

The award will be made to an individual who has made significant contributions to local government law or to the LGA. A nominee for the award must have completed, at a minimum, 10 years of “time in service” when the nomination is made.

Frequency

Candidates for the award will be considered every year, but the LGA reserves the right not to present the award during any year when it believes there are no qualified candidates. The award, when given, is presented at the LGA fall conference.

Selection

Each year the LGA awards committee will solicit nominations from the entire LGA membership in The Bill of Particulars prior to the LGA fall conference. The committee will consider those nominations received, as well as any the committee members wish to make themselves, and recommend up to 3 nominees for consideration by the LGA board of directors, along with a detailed rationale for its recommendation. If less than three nominations are received by awards committee, members of the board of directors may submit additional names for the committee’s consideration. The board of directors will select the recipient from the nominee(s) recommended by the committee.

Nominations

If you would like to make a nomination for this award, please e-mail the LGA Awards & Recognitions Committee Chair. Please state the reason(s) you believe the nominee(s) should receive the award along with any other pertinent information. Up to three letters of recommendation may be submitted with the nomination. Specific deadlines for submission of nominations will be published at appropriate times throughout the year in issues of the Bill of Particulars and on the LGA website.

Past Recipients

NAMEYEAR
Michelle R. Robl2024
Phyllis A. Errico2023
G. Gregory Kamptner2022
Cynthia E. Hudson2021
Tara A. McGee2020
Kathleen A. Dooley2019
Paul M. Mahoney2018
Jan L. Proctor2017
Jeffrey L. Mincks2016
Sandra H. Wiley2015
Larry W. Davis2014
Mark K. Flynn2013
Andrew R. McRoberts2012
William M. Hackworth2011
Joseph L. Howard Jr.2010
Ronald S. Hallman2009
Sterling E. Rives III2008
Walter C. Erwin III2007
David P. Bobzien2006
William H. Hefty2005
C. Dean Foster, Jr.2004
Sharon E. Pandak2003
Elizabeth D. Whiting2002
[No award given]2001
Steven L. Micas2000
William G. Broaddus1999
Philip R. Trapani1998
Harry Frazier, III1997
Joseph P. Rapisarda, Jr.1996
Wilburn C. Dibling1995
Roger C. Wiley1994
C. Flippo Hicks1993
Edward J. Finnegan1992
David T. Stitt1991