The City of Norfolk is proud to announce that Finance Officer Randy Gates has been awarded the 2025 LEAD Award by the League of Nebraska Municipalities, recognizing his decades of Leadership, Excellence, Action, and Dedication in municipal service.

Gates received the award during a special recognition ceremony at the 2025 League of Nebraska Municipalities Municipal Accounting & Finance Conference, where municipal officials from across the state gathered to celebrate outstanding contributions to local government.

The League’s Executive Board voted unanimously to honor Randy for his leadership and his long-standing commitment to the City of Norfolk—as well as his alignment with the League’s mission to empower cities and villages across Nebraska. The LEAD Award is one of the League’s highest honors, reserved for municipal officials currently serving in office who demonstrate exceptional commitment and leadership in their communities. It is not awarded every year; in fact, it had not been presented since 2020.

“Randy is incredibly deserving of this recognition for outstanding contribution to managing municipal finances; being honored by the League of Nebraska Municipalities in front of his peers was both fitting and extremely meaningful,” said City Administrator Scott Cordes.

Randy was appointed Norfolk's first Finance Officer on September 1, 1982, and is a Certified Public Accountant. He served on the League Association of Risk Management's Board of Directors from 2008 to 2017 and as a dedicated member of the Municipal Accounting and Finance Conference Committee. He has also served as Treasurer for the Northeast Nebraska Solid Waste Coalition since its formation in the early 1990s and has represented Nebraska for decades on the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) as the state’s representative.

Thanks to Randy’s leadership, the City of Norfolk has received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 32 consecutive years. To qualify, Norfolk’s budget documents must meet high standards as a policy document, a financial plan, an operational guide, and a communication tool—criteria only a few municipalities consistently achieve.  The city has also received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 36 consecutive years.  To be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized annual comprehensive financial report that satisfies both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements.

“Randy has been the backbone of our city’s finances for over 40 years,” said Mayor Shane Clausen. “He’s the kind of person who works hard behind the scenes, always making sure things run smoothly—and he never looks for the spotlight. This award is a great way to recognize everything he’s done for Norfolk and the impact he’s had across Nebraska.”

In addition to his responsibilities in Norfolk, Gates has been a respected voice across the state on municipal finance issues, offering support and guidance to fellow finance officers and city officials navigating complex fiscal challenges.

“Receiving the LEAD Award is a real honor. I’ve spent my career working to make a difference at the local level, and it means a lot to be recognized by the League. I’m proud of what the city has accomplished and I’m lucky to work with great people who care about making our community better every day,” said Gates.

The City of Norfolk congratulates Randy Gates on this distinguished achievement and extends heartfelt thanks for his continued service and outstanding contributions to the Norfolk community.