WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Dec 4, 2013) - Governing Magazine's December issue features profiles of the nine men and women in state and local government recognized as Governing's 2013 Public Officials of the Year.

"We're extremely proud to be recognizing such outstanding leaders at the state and local level -- particularly at a time when federal government is paralyzed by partisan bickering," said Governing Executive Editor Zach Patton. "We hear so much about what's going wrong in government. These nine men and women are what's right."

Now in its 22^nd year, the Public Officials of the Year program recognizes leaders from state, city and county government who exemplify the ideals of public service. "We're always happy to highlight government officials who are doing great work," said Governing Publisher Erin Waters. "But the nine leaders we're recognizing this year are particularly outstanding. They've shown a sterling dedication to serving the public through strong leadership and good management. We're grateful for their service."

GOVERNING'S 2013 PUBLIC OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR:

John Kitzhaber, Governor, State of Oregon
William James Howell, Speaker, House of Delegates, Commonwealth of Virginia
Kathy Nesbitt, Executive Director, Department of Personnel & Administration, State of Colorado
José Cisneros, Treasurer, San Francisco, California
L. Brooks Patterson, County Executive, Oakland County, Michigan
Karen B. DeSalvo, Health Commissioner, City of New Orleans, Louisiana
Anthony G. Brown, Lieutenant Governor, State of Maryland
Emily Rahimi, Social Media Manager, New York City Fire Department
Gregory E. Fischer, Mayor, City of Louisville, Kentucky

For a list of all past Governing Public Officials of the Year as well as detailed descriptions of the 2013 awardees' accomplishments, please visit: www.governing.com/poy

Public Officials of the Year are selected from nominations submitted by readers, experts in the public and private sectors and the Governing editorial team. Among the qualities recognized are leadership, courage, innovation, creativity and good management.

The Governing 2013 Public Officials of the Year will be honored at a gala dinner at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. on February 3, 2014. 

Underwriters of Governing's Public Officials of the Year Program for 2013 who have joined Governing to celebrate the impact of state and local governments on communities and the lives of citizens include AARP, Assured Guaranty, Citi, Infor, RBC Capital Markets and Visa.

About Governing | www.governing.com
Governing covers politics, policy and management for state and local government leaders. Recognized as the most credible and authoritative voice in its field, Governing provides non-partisan news, insight and analysis on budget and finance; transportation and infrastructure; workforce and economic development; health and human services and more.

Governing is a division of e.Republic, the nation's only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.