Paul Mahlberg, Thomas Bevan, and Gus Collins
Thomas Bevan Receives the Mike Gilliland “Honor Award”
This year’s recipient of the Mike Gilliland Honor Award is Thomas Bevan, Public Works Director for the City of Kechi
Thomas began his career with the city in 2010 as a maintenance worker in the Public Works Department. Over the next decade, through hard work and dedication (and probably a few late nights fixing gas and water lines), he steadily climbed the ranks and was promoted in 2020 to the role of Public Works Director, the position he proudly serves in today.
Since stepping into that role, he has led the department with a focus on efficiency, professionalism, and good old-fashioned hard work. Most recently, he’s been at the helm of critical gas main upgrades that will help fuel future growth in the city’s industrial park.
Outside of the office, Thomas is all about family life and enjoys cheering from the sidelines at his kids’ games and spending time with his wife.
Congratulation on this award, Thomas Bevan. Well deserved!
Gus Collins, Cole Herder, and Paul Mahlberg
Cole Herder Receives the Ron Huxman Distinguished Service Award
This year’s Ron Huxman Distinguished Service Award recipient is Cole Herder, City Administrator of the City of Humboldt.
Cole Herder grew up in the community he now serves as city administrator. Since taking the position of city administrator in 2014, he has been involved in numerous infrastructure projects, most notably an upcoming $16 million dollar water infrastructure project for which the city received a $3 million dollar grant. This project will include twenty miles of water line as well as refurbishing the three water towers throughout the community. Cole has also been paramount in the economic development of his community. He has been instrumental in helping to initiate the city’s first eCommunity which, in turn, has kicked off a county-wide initiative that has seen $700,000 in loans disbursed to businesses and entrepreneurs. This success of this endeavor is visible throughout the community he grew up in, most notably in the revitalization of the downtown Mainstreet square which now boasts many new businesses including shops, restaurants, and a museum.
As a graduate of Allen County Community College and Wichita State University, he is a Kansan through and through. After college he worked in manufacturing before starting his career with the city. Outside of the office, Cole enjoys spending quality time with his family – wife Melinda, their three children and four granddaughters – and staying active and involved with his local church and Lions club.
Congratulations, Cole—your leadership and dedication continue to make a lasting impact on Humboldt!
