History of the Welch-Lackey Award

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission presents the Welch-Lackey Leadership Award each year in honor of former Commissioners George A. Welch and William F. Lackey.  These men served the Commission in times of great personal difficulties, yet continued throughout to represent the spirit of public service and to further the goals of intergovernmnetal cooperation.  Their contribution to the communities that they served embodies the leadership qualities essential to the preservation of our democratic form of government.

The recipient of the Welch-Lackey Leadership Award is selected in the fall of each year from nominees selected by the SWMPC management.  Each Commissioner will be requested to vote, by secret ballot, for the nominee who best exemplifies service, leadership and intergovernmental cooperation as the award embodies.