The Richard A. King Award
The Richard A. King Award was established by MEDFA’s Board of Directors to honor the memory of one of our “Founding Fathers” and most dedicated supporters. Dick served on MEDFA’s Board since the association’s beginning in 1991, and as President from 1999-2001.
MEDFA honors Dick’s memory each by presenting the “Richard King Award” to a person, company, project, or municipality who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has made a significant contribution to economic development in the state of Missouri. The award winner is recognized each year at the Annual Conference.
Amy Hamilton was appointed city manager of Richmond Heights, MO in 2004. Amy was Richmond Heights’ assistant city manager from 2000 to 2004. Before coming to Richmond Heights, Mrs. Hamilton worked for the City of Collinsville, IL as the Assistant to the Director of Administration. She earned her undergrad and Master’s degree in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Richmond Heights, Missouri has a population of about 10,000 and is a Council-Manager, Missouri Charter City, offering professional municipal police, fire, public works, general construction inspection, code enforcement, parks and recreational services with a total budget approximately $30 million and 100 full-time employees.
Ms. Hamilton is a credentialed manager and member of the International City/County Management Association. She is also very active in the Missouri City/County Management Association, St. Louis Area City/County Management Association, and Board member of St. Louis Area Insurance Trust. She is also Board Member and Past-President of the Missouri Economic Development Financing Assoc.
In 2018, the Missouri City/County Management Association awarded Ms. Hamilton the prestigious Jay T. Bell Professional Management Award.
Past Richard A. King Award Winners
2007 – Kay Barnes, Former Mayor, Kansas City, MO
2008 – City of St. Joseph, Triumph Foods Project
2009 – Karen Messerli, Mayor of Lee’s Summit, MO
2010 – Mike White, Chairman, Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
2011 – Rob O’Brien, Former President, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
2012 – Denny Coleman, President, St. Louis County Economic Council
2013 – Sallie Hemenway, Dir. Business & Community Svs, MO DED
2014 – Patrick Bannister, Deputy Exec Director, St. Louis Dev Corp.
2015 – Mark Grimm, Shareholder, Gilmore & Bell, P.C.
2016 – Mike Downing, Former Director, Missouri DED
2017 – Doug Stone, Attorney, Lewis Rice LLC
2018 – Otis Williams, Executive Director, St. Louis Development Corporation
2019 – Bill Moore, Attorney, Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
2020 – Jim Mello, Attorney, Armstrong Teasdale
2021 – Mary Smith, Former Planning & Development Director, City of Springfield
2022 – John Brancaglione, Senior Director, PGAV
2023 – Dale Ruthsatz, Retired, St. Louis Development Corporation
2024 – E. Sid Douglas III, Gilmore & Bell
NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE 2024 AWARD!
Awards Criteria:
Nominees MUST display one or more of the following characteristics:
1. Dedication to the promotion of economic development in Missouri
2. Creative and innovative use of Missouri development tools
3. Noteworthy achievement in economic development in Missouri