Politics & Government

City Finance Director Ruggini Wins 'Leader of the Future' Award

After just two years on the job, John Ruggini has made a name for bringing efficiency and clarity to the city's budgetary and financing processes.

After serving only a little more than two years as finance director for the City of Wauwatosa, 36-year-old John Ruggini has been recognized by the Public Policy Forum as its "Leader of the Future" award-winner for 2013.

Ruggini already has earned praise and respect from long-time city officials and elected leaders for his knowledge, professionalism, transparency and, as one city official put it, his “positive demeanor and ‘can do’ attitude.”

Among his accomplishments during his brief tenure are development of an “internal granting program” under which departments apply for funding for projects that make financially sustainable changes to the city; creation of a capital project coding system and automated personnel schedule; establishment of a five-year forecasting model for all city funds; and development (with the city administrator) of a debt management policy for the city.

According to Wauwatosa Ald. Jeff Roznowski, Ruggini’s “exceptional leadership ensures our fiscal stability and maximizes our economic development opportunities.”

Before joining Wauwatosa city government, Ruggini worked for three years as Milwaukee County’s assistant fiscal and budget administrator.

Ruggini nearly missed out on the Wauwatosa finance job – and Wauwatosa on his services. When the search was over for a new finance director in February 2011, the job was given to the more experienced Craig Kammholz.

But shortly after Kammholz's appointment, he withdrew during a testy Common Council debate over residency requirements.

The city turned to Ruggini, who had been runner-up for the job, and quickly appointed him.

Forum also celebrates its centenary

Ruggini's award is part of the 100-year-old Public Policy Forum's annual "Salute to Local Government" awards, recognizing outstanding performance among local governments and school districts in southeast Wisconsin.
 
Nominations are solicited from forum members and local governments throughout the region, and a panel of judges composed of forum trustees and previous honorees selects the winners.

In commemoration of its 100th anniversary, the forum has made a one-time change to the format of this year’s Salute to focus on individual awards for local government and school district officials in four categories tied to the organization’s 100-year history.

The traditional awards continue to be the Leader of the Future Award, given to Ruggini; the Norman N. Gill Award for Individual Excellence, conferred on Bruce J. Kamradt, administrator of Milwaukee County Children’s Health Services; and the James R. Ryan Lifetime Achievement Award, given to retiring Kristine M. Hinrichs, chief court administrator of Milwaukee Municipal Court.

Winners of the special 100th Anniversary Awards are:

  • Milwaukee County Treasurer Dan Diliberti for "Efficiency and Economy"
  • Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm for "Data-Driven Public Sector Management"
  • Bayside Village Manager Andrew Pederson for "Transparent Public Communication," and
  • Glendale City Administrator Richard Maslowski for "Problem Solving." 
“This year’s Salute recognizes individuals who embody the Forum’s 100-year-old principles of government efficiency, data-driven public sector management, government transparency, and effective problem-solving,” said Forum President Rob Henken. “Not only does the event again give us an opportunity to showcase examples of outstanding public sector performance, but it also reinforces the importance of certain ‘good government’ principles that have been the hallmarks of this organization since its inception.”

The awards will be presented at the Public Policy Forum’s 21st annual Salute to Local Government event from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., in Milwaukee's Third Ward.
 
The Salute luncheon is sponsored by Baker Tilly; the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors; Northwestern Mutual Foundation; and Quarles & Brady LLP. Following the awards presentations, the four winners in the special 100th anniversary categories will participate in a panel discussion on “Attracting and Retaining High-Performing Personnel in the Public Sector.”     


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