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.

Application Process and Timeline

The Call for Entries for the 2020 cycle is now closed. The LaBerge winner is typically announced at the CONNECT conference in May.

You can download the Call for Entries, Frequently Asked Questions, the Judges’ Rubric and a hard copy of the application form for an overview of the award and process to help you prepare. The "Always On" document (PDF) provides more background on areas that are referenced in the award criteria. The online form does not allow you to save the form and come back to it later. Please make note of the word limits to written responses and the size limits for any optional supporting materials.

Please note subsequent award criteria are subject to change.

2020 LaBerge Award Winner

Congratulations to the 2020 LaBerge Award Winner, Nanci McMaken, vice president and chief communications officer at Pioneer Electric Cooperative.

Read more: Pioneer REC’s Nanci McMaken Wins LaBerge Award for Excellence in Communications

Watch the Video: 2020 LaBerge Award Winner

Questions

Contact Alexis Dunnum, alexis.dunnum@nreca.coop, 703-907-5714

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

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