Jeff Ahring Receives the Dedicated Commitment to Service Award

Mike Muirhead, Jeff Ahring, and Paul Mahlberg

This year’s Dedicated Commitment to Service Award recipient is Jeff Ahring, City Superintendent for the City of Lincoln Center.  Jeff  began to work as a Power Plant Operator for the city in 2013. In December of 2014, he was promoted to Power Plant Foreman, where he was known for keeping the power plant spotless and the engines well maintained. Following his supervisor’s retirement, Jeff was promoted again to City Superintendent in January of 2023. Since becoming City Superintendent, Jeff has continued learning and has been motivated to get their water/wastewater certifications, which in turn has inspired his employees to do the same. Considered a strong yet humble leader by both his employees and the community he serves, his co-workers and peers not only respect him as a leader but consider him as  friend. The city’s mayor says, “I am proud he is being honored today, not just for his excellent work as superintendent this past almost three years, but for a decade of dedicated commitment to service at our power plant. His hard work, performed day in and day out, has been the backbone of our city’s power supply. It is that unwavering, long-term dedication that we celebrate today.”

Jeff Ahring is also a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He has five children and two grandsons, with another grandchild on the way.

Congratulation on this award, Jeff Ahring. Well deserved!

Sara Caylor Receives the Max Embree Award

Mike Muirhead, Sara Caylor, Paul Mahlberg

This year’s Max Embree Award recipient is Sara Caylor, City Council Member of the City of Ottawa.  Sara was born and raised in Ottawa.

She has years of public engagement experience serving on the City Commission since April 2011, four terms as Mayor. She has been an active board member for the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) since 2018, elected President of LKM in 2020.  Sara is incredibly active in multiple non-profit organizations being appointed to and a member of the Kansas Fights Addiction Board, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency (KMEA) Board of Directors, Kansas Women’s Economic Development Task Force, Advent Health Ottawa Charitable Association board, and the Elizabeth Layton Center (CMHC) board. Sara earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Washburn University. Her work has given her unique insight into the struggles of many Kansans. She currently serves patients and families who are in the final season of their lives receiving hospice services.
She is a proud parent two daughters who will stand on her shoulders and continue to dedicate themselves to a better Kansas. Sara believes that when more Kansans are connected together, amazing results will be realized.

Dustin Bedore Receives the Gilbert Hanson Jr. Outstanding Service Award

Mike Muirhead, Dustin Bedore, Paul Mahlberg

This year’s Gilbert Hanson Jr. Outstanding Service Award recipient is Dustin Bedore, Director of Electric Utilities for the City of Goodland.

Dustin’s remarkable career began in 1988 in the very community he still serves. Starting as a meter reader, he advanced through roles including lineman and line foreman before moving into leadership as Electric Distribution Division Manager. Over the years, he rose to Distribution Superintendent and now serves as Director of Electric Utilities.

His contributions have been transformative—developing the city’s apprentice lineman program, ensuring electric distribution stability, and demonstrating exceptional leadership during Winter Storm Uri. Today, Dustin is spearheading two major projects: an economic development initiative to increase system load and a south loop addition to boost capacity for the growing community.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dustin is deeply rooted in Goodland. Married to his high school sweetheart for 40 years, he’s a proud father and grandfather. He also gives back by officiating youth sports, recently serving at the 2025 1A DII State Volleyball Tournament.

Congratulations to Dustin Bedore for his decades of dedication, leadership, and service to the City of Goodland!