Plainfield's Persons Among Top 10 Public Works Leaders in U.S.

A village employee has been named one of the 2013 Top Ten Public Works Leaders in the country by the American Public Works Association (APWA). 

Plainfield Public Works Director Allen Persons last week learned he'd been chosen from among a pool of candidates nominated by municipalities across the country.

"It rare that a population as small as ours is recognized" by the nationwide organization, Mayor Mike Collins said, adding this is the third time the village has nominated Persons for the honor.

The award was created in 1960 and has a "long and distinguished history of recognizing exceptional candidates," APWA President Elizabeth Treadway said in a letter to Persons. " ... The annual 'Top Top' award has been universally recognized in the profession and carries with it a level of prestige that distinguishes it as the highest award given by the APWA."

Persons, who has worked for the village for 25 years, also serves as the treasurer for the southwest branch of the APWA's Chicago Metro Chapter.

He gave the credit to his colleagues in the public works department.

"It's really a team effort. I have to commend my staff," he said. "It's an honor to be recognized.

"The award is a big deal. I'm not a big deal," Persons added with a laugh.

Persons was named among the Chicago Metro Chapter's Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year in 2011, but this is the first time he's won the national award.

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