Media contacts: Stephanie Carroll, Manager of Business Development and Community Relations, City of Auburn Hills; 248.364.6802; scarroll@auburnhills.org; Kyle Scislowicz, Media Communications Specialist, City of Auburn Hills; 248.364.6726; kscislowicz@auburnhills.org 

Auburn Hills, MI—May 3, 2017—The City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, is proud to announce that its City Clerk, Terri Kowal, will receive the highest honor given to a municipal clerk internationally; the Quill Award. The award is hosted by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), an association of municipal clerks with 14,234 members in several countries. 

“We are very proud of Terri and this recognition is well-deserved”, said Mayor Kevin McDaniel. “Her work at the City is top-notch and we are fortunate to have her on our staff”, added Mayor McDaniel.
 

Initiated at the 1987 IIMC Annual Conference in Fort Worth, TX, the Quill Award recognizes distinguished IIMC Members who have made significant and exemplary contributions to their community, state or province in IIMC. More importantly, the individual must support the goals and philosophies outlined in the IIMC’s Code of Ethics. The criteria includes length of service, strength and extent of participation in IIMC, service in teaching fellow Municipal Clerks, involvement with the IIMC approved training Institute or program or other activities that enhance the professionalism of IIMC members. The past three Quill recipients comprise the Award’s Committee. 

“Over the past 21 years, I’ve been blessed to receive several awards while working as a municipal Clerk. The IIMC Quill Award is the highest honor bestowed on a municipal clerk, and I am honored and humbled to be one of two recipients this year for this international award”, said Terri. “I share this with my family, who I love more than life itself; with the City of Auburn Hills who encourages continuing education, and my “Clerk family”, who exchanged ideas, and taught each other best practices for our profession. You all know who you are, and to you I say, “God bless, and thank you”, she added. 

The Award will be presented during the opening ceremony of the 71st IIMC Annual Conference May 22, 2017, in Montreal, Canada. Terri is one of two recipients.

“Having a leadership team made up of some of the best in their respective professions certainly makes my job as City Manager an even greater privilege”, said Tom Tanghe, Auburn Hills City Manager. “I have relied upon Terri to deliver ‘best in class’ service to our citizens and she has consistently done just that. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of her”, added Mr. Tanghe. 

The City of Auburn Hills is a distinguished leader in southeast Michigan. Home to approximately 23,000 residents, as well as a workday population of approximately 100,000, Auburn Hills continues to be a thriving global business address. It is home to over 70 international corporations and hosts the World and North American headquarters for numerous outstanding businesses such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Continental Automotive Systems, Faurecia, and BorgWarner. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award-winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.