The LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication (LaBerge Award) recognizes an electric cooperative communicator with demonstrated excellence, influence and impact in co-op communications, both as a practitioner and contributor across the network. The award was established in 2018 in memory of Justin Erick LaBerge, who served as the Senior Leadership Communications Manager for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Read the LaBerge guidelines (PDF) for more detailed information.

The LaBerge Award winner is recognized at NRECA's CONNECT Conference in May.

Application Process and Timeline

The 2019 Call for Entries for the inaugural LaBerge Award is closed. The next submission cycle will open in August.. More information for the 2020 cycle will be posted on this page and shared through email and social media notifications.

You can review a hard copy of the application form to get an overview of the award. The "Always On" document provides more background on areas that are referenced in the award criteria. Note: The online form does not allow you to save the form and come back to it later. Please make note of the size limits to written responses and supporting materials.

2019 Winner: Sam Houston’s Keith Stapleton Receives Inaugural LaBerge Award

Questions

Contact Anne Prince, anne.prince@nreca.coop, 703-907-5544

The LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication is sponsored by the Certified Cooperative Communicator Program and the Council of Rural Electric Communicators in conjunction with the Spotlight on Excellence Awards Program.

See the Awards & Recognition page to learn about other communications awards programs.