Leadership Springfield's top award goes to Mayor McClure

Leadership Springfield has bestowed Mayor Ken McClure with its annual top award.

McClure yesterday was presented with the 2023 O. Franklin Kenworthy Award for Outstanding Leadership during Leadership Springfield's One Big Class Reunion event, according to a news release.

“After reviewing Mayor McClure’s resume and thinking back on the many boards and projects we have worked on together, I was thoroughly amazed of the similarities," said Francine Pratt, 2022 Kenworthy Award winner, in the release. "Ken is really a person who makes things happen behind the scenes, so it is an honor to recognize him publicly."

The Kenworthy Award recognizes individuals for their commitment to Leadership Springfield’s mission, community service involvement, citizenship, leadership qualities and ethical standards.

McClure was elected mayor in 2017 after becoming a member of City Council in 2015. He's a board member of the Missouri Municipal League, and the former Missouri State University executive has served on boards including the Board of Public Utilities, Jordan Valley Advisory Committee, Springfield Good Government Committee and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, according to the release.

Civic leader Pratt and former Springfield-Greene County Health Department Director Clay Goddard are among past recipients of the Kenworthy Award.