The Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA-MN) honored six public works personnel as part of its annual meeting at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake November 20-21, 2025.
Award recipients are:
•Sarah Haas, Solid Waste and Recycling Program Administrator, City of St. Paul - Public Works Manager of the Year
•Aaron Kuznia, Senior Engineering Technician - Construction Project Manager, City of Chaska - Public Works Engineering Technician of the Year
•April VanMassenhove, Executive Assistant, City of St. Paul Dept. of Public Works - Public Works Employee of the Year
Gary Long, Jr., District Supervisor II Transportation Maintenance & Repair Division, City of Minneapolis - Public Works Supervisor of the Year
Cody Mathisen, City Engineer, City of Hastings - Public Works Young Professional of the Year
These individuals were selected based on exemplary public service within their respective communities by a panel of their peers in a 2025 statewide call for nominations.
In addition, Michael Marti, Project Director with SRF Consulting Group , received the Hugo G. Erickson Award in recognition of his many years of outstanding service to APWA-MN.
Mitchell Hoeft, Principal Engineer at Bolton & Menk, Inc. and President of APWA-MN, noted that public works officials often perform their public service duties quietly and without public recognition. President Hoeft congratulates these outstanding employees and noted the nominees are highly deserving of this honor. In addition, he applauds the efforts of all public works employees throughout the state and welcomes the opportunity to publicly recognize those who serve so well.