Galen Sparks and Susan Rocha Awards for Outstanding Public Service
AS OF OCTOBER 10, 2019, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE AWARDS:
- City Attorneys are now eligible.
- Division by city size has been eliminated.
- The awards now recognize in-house (Galen Sparks) and outside counsel (Susan Rocha).
Galen Sparks served as an assistant city attorney and dedicated public servant for the City of Dallas for over 27 years. He distinguished himself in a variety of areas of municipal law and generously shared his time and expertise in a way that substantially enhanced the professionalism of his fellow municipal lawyers.
The TCAA Galen Sparks Award for Outstanding Public Service is intended to recognize and honor a current or former city attorney or assistant city attorney for significant and distinguished career achievements in the field of municipal law. The TCAA board grants one award each year for an in-house city or assistant city attorney.
Susan Rocha served as an assistant city attorney for the City of San Antonio early in her career, and went on to be a trailblazer in municipal law. She served as president of both the Texas City Attorneys Association and the International Municipal Lawyers Association, and was a mentor and role model for many attorneys in the field due to her hard work, many achievements, and – of course – irrepressible personality.
The TCAA Susan Rocha Award for Outstanding Public Service is intended to recognize and honor any current or former city attorney or assistant city attorney for significant and distinguished career achievements in the field of municipal law. The TCAA board grants one award each year for outside counsel serving as a city attorney or assistant city attorney.
The recipients of these awards will be honored at the TCAA Summer Conference. In addition, TCAA will provide complimentary registration for the conference. The deadline to submit a nomination is April 26, 2024. For downloadable criteria and an application form, click here.
| 2024: | Galen Sparks Award- Applications Are Open Susan Rocha Award- Applications Are Open |
| 2023: | Galen Sparks Award- No Nominations Received Susan Rocha Award- Wayne Olson, Olson & Olson LLP |
| 2022: | Galen Sparks Award- No Nominations Received Susan Rocha Award- Monte Akers, Messer, Fort & McDonald PLLC |
| 2021: | Galen Sparks Award – No Nominations Received Susan Rocha Award – No Nominations Received |
| 2020: | Galen Sparks Award – Trevor Fanning, Baytown Susan Rocha Award – Bryn Meredith, Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, L.L.P. |
| 2019: | Galen Sparks Award – No Nominations Received Susan Rocha Award – Victor Flores, Plano |
| 2018: | Galen Sparks Award – Deidra Penny, Houston Susan Rocha Award – No Nominations Received |
| 2017: | Galen Sparks Award – Ross Crow, Austin Susan Rocha Award – Donna Fairweather, Galveston |
| 2016: | Galen Sparks Award – David Barber, Arlington Susan Rocha Award – Janet Spugnardi, Irving |
| 2015: | Galen Sparks Award – Savita Rai, San Antonio Susan Rocha Award – David (Mitch) Satterwhite, Lubbock |
| 2014: | Galen Sparks Award – Patricia (Trish) Link, Austin Susan Rocha Award – Kinley Hegglund, Wichita Falls |
| 2013: | Galen Sparks Award – Donna Edmundson, Houston Susan Rocha Award – Annette Jones, Waco |
| 2012: | Galen Sparks Award – Elaine Hengen, El Paso Susan Rocha Award – Theresa James, Abilene |
| 2011: | Big Cities – Linda Frank, Arlington Other Cities – Sarah Garder-Cox, Temple |
| 2010: | Big Cities – Don Knight, Dallas Other Cities – Steven Kean, Tyler |
| 2009: | Big Cities – Peter Merkl, Corpus Christi Other Cities – Jerikay Gayle, Round Rock |
| 2008: | Brenda McDonald, Irving |
| 2007: | Lisa Aguilar, Corpus Christi |
| 2006: | No Nominations Received |
| 2005: | Dorothy Palumbo, Denton |
| 2004: | Bill Wood, San Antonio |
| 2003: | Jeanene McIntyre, Arlington |
| 2002: | Lynn Nunns, Carrollton |
| 2001: | Ed Snyder, Denton |
| 2000: | Roxanne Nemcik, College Station |
| 1999: | Chad Weaver, Midland |
| 1998: | Claud Drinnen, Amarillo |
| 1997: | Michael Bucek, Denton |
| 1996: | Robert Diaz, Arlington |
| 1995: | Donald VanDiver, Lubbock |
| 1994: | Tom Finlay, San Antonio |
| 1993: | Nanette Williams, El Paso |
| 1992: | Tyrone Cooper, Beaumont |