April 2006

Leadership and Public Service Recognized with National Award

Administrative Office Director Leonidas Ralph Mecham is a recipient of the 2006 National Public Service Award—the premier award for excellence in public service at all levels of government. Announcement of the award was made by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). The award was presented to Mecham at an April 3 ceremony during the ASPA’s National Conference in Denver, Colorado.

The National Public Service Award was established in 1983 to honor individuals who “exhibit the highest standards of excellence, dedication, and accomplishment over a sustained period of time and who are creative and skilled career managers at all levels of public service.”

In making the award, NPSA noted that Mecham has “stressed enhancing support to the Judicial Conference. . . ; providing high-quality services to judges and the courts; focusing on excellence and achievement in Judiciary programs; and building relationships both within and outside the Judiciary. He focused on improving compensation and benefits for judges and staff. He created an extensive system of advisory groups to promote court input on policy and program decisions.”

The award announcement also cited Mecham’s decentralization of agency functions to the courts, the development of better financial tools and a robust system of internal controls and audits, and the implementation of court administrative operations including electronic case filing and management systems, that save the Judiciary millions of dollars each year.

Mecham retires this year after nearly 21 years as Director of the Administrative Office.