Submitted photo Former New Ulm and Willmar City Administrator Brian Gramentz was recognized with the The Bob Filson Award for Distinguished Rural Leadership.

ST. PAUL–Former New Ulm Mayor Bob Beussman has been honored by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) with the Jack Murray Award for his excellence in service to Greater Minnesota.

Former New Ulm and Willmar City Administrator Brian Gramentz was also recognized with the The Bob Filson Award for Distinguished Rural Leadership.

The Jack Murray Award is given to city officials who demonstrate knowledge, leadership, and active participation in CGMC program areas over their public service career. The award is named for Jack Murray, former mayor of International Falls, who was instrumental in the CGMC’s formation.

The Bob Filson award is named for the former Worthington city administrator who showed consistent and relentless dedication to issues that mattered to the CGMC and its members.

Beussman, who resigned from his position earlier this year, served as mayor of New Ulm for 11 years. Throughout his tenure, Beussman was actively engaged in the CGMC and was a regular presence at the organization’s conferences, “day at the Capitol” lobby days and other events. He was a staunch supporter of the CGMC’s transportation initiatives and was instrumental in advocating for the creation of Corridors of Commerce, a highway funding program established by the Legislature in 2013. In addition to his involvement with the CGMC, he previously served as president of the Highway 14 Partnership and played a key role in that organization’s successful efforts to obtain state funding to expand the highway from two lanes to four lanes from Rochester to New Ulm.

“Mayor Beussman was a fearless advocate for his city and other cities across Greater Minnesota,” said Greg Zylka, mayor of Little Falls and president of the CGMC. “Never one to stay say silent, he worked hard to bring attention to his region’s transportation needs by writing columns, participating in radio and TV interviews, and regularly meeting with legislators. Southern Minnesota’s highways and roads are safer today thanks to his relentless advocacy.”

Gramentz retired from his position with the city of Willmar in June after serving as city administrator for two years. Prior to working in Willmar, he served as city administrator in New Ulm for 17 years. Throughout his time working for cities in Greater Minnesota, Gramentz has been a strong supporter of the CGMC and a frequent attendee at the organization’s conferences, lobby days at the Capitol, and other events. With his breadth of knowledge and experience, he was a reliable contributor when it came to setting the CGMC’s goals and priorities on a wide range of issues including Local Government Aid, economic development, infrastructure needs, and environmental regulations.

CGMC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing more than 100 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota.