Established in honor of former ICMA Executive Director Mark E. Keane, the Award for Career 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. Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of executive, senior-level service to the profession. In 2002, ICMA presented the award to Michael Llewellyn-Smith, city manager of Prospect, South Australia. This article describes Mr. Llewellyn-Smith's success in working with elected officials from a range of backgrounds; his leadership in various local government organizations; and his international outreach to promote representative local government. Learn more about ICMA's Annual Awards program.