The LaBerge Award for Excellence in Strategic Communication 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
Application Criteria Guidelines for more detailed information.
Nomination Process and Timeline
The Call for Entries for the 2021 cycle will open February 3, 2021. All nominations must be submitted before midnight on March 13, 2021.
When available, the nomination form can be found here.
You can download the
Call for Entries,
Frequently Asked Questions, the
Judges’ Rubric and a sample of the nomination 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.
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Read more:
Pioneer REC’s Nanci McMaken Wins LaBerge Award for Excellence in Communications
Watch the Video: 2020 LaBerge Award Winner
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Ready for more inspiration as you consider a LaBerge award application? Check out the
entry form of the 2020 winner.
Past Winner
2019 Winner: Keith Stapleton, chief communications officer of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative.
Read more.
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Watch the Video: 2019 LaBerge Award Winner
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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.