Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede was recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) July 23 during the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Duluth for his excellence in service to Greater Minnesota.

The Excellence in Service Award is given annually to a city leader who demonstrates knowledge, leadership and active participation in CGMC program areas over the past year.

As a member of the CGMC Board of Directors, Brede is an active member of the organization. Over the past 12 months, he was particularly involved in helping to plan and organize several CGMC events that were held in Rochester, including the CGMC’s 2014 Summer Conference. The CGMC also had the distinction of co-hosting, along with the Rochester Post-Bulletin and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the first gubernatorial debate of the 2014 election season at the Rochester Civic Center. Brede played a key role in bringing this important political event to his community and drumming up media and public interest in it.

“Mayor Brede is a strong voice for the CGMC and his community,” said Heidi Omerza, president of the CGMC and a member of the Ely City Council. “Although he is extremely busy leading one of the state’s largest cities, Mayor Brede is always willing and eager to help advance the goals of the CGMC and works hard to make all of Greater Minnesota stronger.”

CGMC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing 85 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota.

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