Established in honor of former ICMA Executive Director Mark E. Keane, ICMA's Award for Excellence* recognizes an outstanding local government administrator who has fostered representative democracy by enhancing the effectiveness of local government officials and by consistently initiating creative and successful programs. In 2001, ICMA presented the award to Frank Fairbanks, city manager of Phoenix, Arizona. This article describes Mr. Fairbanks' leadership in times of fiscal crisis and every day. Learn more about ICMA's Annual Awards program.