ICMA's Assistant Excellence in Leadership Award, which commemorates former ICMA president Buford M. Watson, Jr., is presented to a local government management professional who has made significant contributions toward excellence in leadership while serving as an assistant to a chief local government administrator or department head. Candidates must be members of ICMA, full-time assistants reporting to a chief local government administrator or department head who have been responsible for significant administrative duties for at least one year, and endorsed by a CAO. In 2006, ICMA presented the Assistant Excellence in Leadership Award to to Susan Sherman, assistant city manager of Olathe, Kansas. This article and narrative acknowledge Ms. Sherman for her proven leadership and for pioneering many successful partnerships between the city and local school district. Learn more about ICMA's Annual Awards Program.