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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Luallen named Public Official of the Year

FRANKFORT — A national magazine that focuses on state and local government has named State Auditor Crit Luallen one of 2009’s Public Officials of the Year.

A profile of Luallen appears in the November issue of Governing Magazine, a Washington D.C.-based magazine widely read by local and state leaders.

Luallen was one of eight state and local officials to receive the honor. Luallen, who has first elected auditor in 2003, was nominated by other public officials for her work as Kentucky’s top financial watch dog.

“Crit Luallen, Kentucky’s auditor of public accounts, has successfully fought corruption and fiscal mismanagement, the capstone of her 35-year career as a versatile problem-solver in state government,” the magazine wrote.

In addition to auditing county and state governments, Luallen’s office has found mismanagement and questionable spending in other areas of government, including the Blue Grass Airport Board and the Louisville Housing and Family Services Department.

Luallen began her career working in the mail room on the campaign of Gov. Wendell Ford in 1974. She has held several positions in state government in her 35-year career. Under Gov. Paul Patton, she served as Secretary of the Cabinet. She has also served as state budget director, Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet as well as several other key positions in state government.

“This is truly an honor and quite a pleasant surprise,” Luallen said in a written release. “I believe in the value of public service and I have worked to build a record of integrity and competence throughout my career. But I am also fortunate to have had some wonderful people around me who have contributed to any successes I have had.”

Luallen will receive her award at a dinner Nov. 19 in Washington D.C.