Politics & Government

John Gunyou Receives League of Minnesota Cities' Highest Honor

Former Minnetonka city manager recognized for decades of outstanding public service.

The following information is a press release from John Gunyou for Three Rivers Park Board:

Former Minnetonka city manager has received the League of Minnesota Cities’ highest honor for appointed city officials.

Gunyou, who served as city manager for 12 years, was chosen as this year’s sole recipient of the 2012 Leadership Award. The award is presented annually in celebration of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary public service.
 
“Since announcing my retirement this spring, I have been overwhelmed by the support, recognition, and friendship of so many colleagues, friends, and neighbors,” Gunyou said. “Being recognized by such a respected organization is humbling; I am honored to accept this award.”
 
“Through all my years in public service, there has not been a challenge I have faced that couldn’t be resolved by working together, having the courage to think differently, and having the persistence to see a job through to the end,” Gunyou said. “I hope to bring that same cooperative approach to the challenges and opportunities facing the parks and trails that make our communities great.”
 
The Leadership Award was presented to Gunyou at the League of Minnesota Cities’ Annual conference in Duluth on June 21. LMC officials cited Gunyou for being an “…outspoken advocate for innovative thinking in the public sector, from public-private partnerships to cooperative agreements between cities.”
 
Among Gunyou’s many accomplishments cited by the League over his 30-year career in public service was working with the City of Minnetonka’s senior leadership team to implement a significant restructuring of city departments to streamline service and reduce costs. It is that innovative approach to smart, responsible governance that Gunyou hopes to bring as a Three Rivers Park Commissioner.
 
Prior to serving as Minnetonka city manager, Gunyou served as Minnesota’s Finance Commissioner, was the first finance director for the City of Minneapolis, ran Minnesota’s original and largest Internet company, and was an executive with Minnesota Public Radio. Gunyou was also a partner with the largest economic consulting firm in the Rocky Mountains, has taught at several universities, and has degrees in finance and economics from the U.S. Air Force Academy, UCLA and University of Colorado.
 
Gunyou has served on numerous state and national boards, including the DNR Parks and Trails Legacy Funding Work Group, Minnehaha Creek Corridor Coordinating Committee, US EPA Financial Advisory Board, MPCA Citizens Board, and Minnesota State Arts Board. He has received many honors, ranging from Best City Finance Officer in the Nation, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Allies Award and WCCO Good Neighbor Award.
 
Gunyou lives in Minnetonka, on Three Rivers’ Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail. His wife Kim and their five adult children have been long-time users of the district’s extensive park, trail, recreation and natural resources.
 
Gunyou's campaign website can be found here.

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