2026 Nominations have now closed
Thank you to all who have nominated!
Status: March 1-15: Review and Selection
David J. Krings
County Administrator of the Year Award
Est. 2026
Background
The David J. Krings County Administrator of the Year Award was established to honor the legacy of Dave Krings, a devoted public servant known for his integrity, humility, and dedication to the community. This award recognizes an outstanding County Administrator who has made significant contributions to County Administration and local government, embodying the values that Dave held dear. The award is conferred by the NACA Executive Board and celebrates a County Administrator whose service has been judged by peers as exemplary and impactful.
The recipient of this award is invited to attend the ICMA Annual Conference where the Award Ceremony will be held during the County Administrator Idea Exchange. Award includes a $1,500 scholarship to attend the conference.
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2026 - (TBD)
Key Factors of the Award
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A consistent pattern of leadership roles and leadership in regional, state, and national management associations, reflecting Dave's commitment to professional excellence.
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A pattern of support to peers, colleagues, and young professionals entering the field as a mentor, counselor, or advisor, mirroring Dave's dedication to mentoring and guiding others.
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The nominee has shown a strong commitment to advocating for everyone in the community, including underprivileged populations and marginalized groups. This includes efforts to improve policies, programs, and services. The nominee is a strong voice for the value of county government in the lives of all residents and its vital role in the success of communities.
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The nominee embodies the values of integrity and humility, much like Dave did throughout his career. This includes being honest, compassionate, and true to one's word, and demonstrating a commitment to the highest ideals of ethical public service, as espoused in the ICMA Code of Ethics. The nominee not only sets an example of ethical leadership and service, but also is an advocate for ethics as the foundation of a public service career.
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Development of a special area of expertise that has been recognized both within the community and by peers, demonstrating Dave's ability to excel and be recognized in his field.
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A demonstrated commitment to thought leadership to advance the state of the art and practice, evidenced by writing, conference participation, contributions to research, and/or involvement in task forces and committees, reflecting Dave's dedication to advancing the profession.
Eligibility for the Award
Nominations
A nomination for the County Administrator of the Year Award may be made by any individual with the exception of NACA staff or current board members.
Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Service & Membership
Nominees must be current County Administrator and active member of NACA.
Minimum of seven (7) years serving in as a County Administrator.
Nominations or letters of support from Vendors, NACA staff or current NACA board members are not permissible.
The County Administrator of the Year Award is a tribute to the enduring legacy of David J. Krings. Throughout his distinguished career, Dave exemplified the highest ideals of public service—integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to community. His influence on county administration and local government continues to inspire generations of leaders. A humbled thank you to the Krings family for their support and collaboration in creating this award in his memory.
Left: David J. Krings; Right: Chris Krings, wife of David Krings.
Prior to the launch of the County Administrator of the Year Award, the Krings family support the David J. Krings Scholarship. Below is information about both Dave and the previous scholarship recipients.
Dave worked in the Governor's Office and then took a job with the Lieutenant Governor (later the Governor) of Wisconsin. In that role, he was an advocate for people who were disabled or elderly and received a M.A. in public policy and administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From there, Dave moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked for Ramsey County. In 1983, the family moved to Peoria, Illinois where he served for nine years as the Peoria County Administrator. In 1992, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as the Hamilton County Administrator until 2005.
Dave was very proud of his profession and the people within it. He served as president of several professional societies including the International City / County Management Association (ICMA) and the National Association of County Administrators (NACA). During this time, Dave and Chris were able to travel and visit with dear friends around the world. In the last few years, Dave worked with two organizations -Management Partners and Slavin Management Consultants -where he consulted with local governments.
Though Dave was internationally recognized for his accomplishments, he was a quiet and humble person. He was a defender of underprivileged people and animals. Never the life of the party, Dave was nonetheless gifted with an ability to develop and maintain deep, lifelong friendships. He remained close with his sister and many cousins who fondly remembered him for his good humor, reliability, kindness, and what one described as steadfast "leadership in a pack of cousins."
Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy lives on through the countless public servants he has mentored and counseled.
2025 David J. Krings Scholarship Recipient
Shane Digan | An emerging practitioner and alumni of UNC Master of Public Administration (MPA). Shane’s current role is the Assistant of the County Manager in Craven County, NC.
2024 David J. Krings Scholarship Recipient
John Kovari | Professor of Political Science & Public Administration at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse