Russellville's city clerk was named Office Professional of the Year by the Missouri Rural Water Association recently.
Karen Platter's years of dedicated service have been instrumental in positive changes in the city, said Tom Hyatt, operator certification circuit rider.
And her leadership has offered a steadfast source of support for city operations, he added.
"I was totally blown away," Platter said.
This was the first year for the Russellville City Council to approve sending Platter to the association's Office Professionals Seminar.
"The council had no idea she was receiving this award when they agreed to send her," said Mayor Ritchie Jenkins said. "We just thought it would be a good conference to pick up some information useful in her position."
She was nominated by Gary Webber with Missouri Rural American Water.
"Karen is more than a clerk as she is also the utility billing and collections officer," Webber said. "She is instrumental in community betterment projects, the right hand of the city when dealing with grants and loans, and she helps coordinate maintenance and repair of the water and wastewater system and even operates the system during emergencies with oversight of contract operators."
In addition to her award, Platter, who has worked for the city for 40 years, told the council at its last meeting that she learned a lot of good information at the conference.
The Missouri Rural Water Association is a non-profit organization that serves the needs of Missouri water and wastewater utilities.
The association also named Carroll County Public Water Supply District 1 Water Specialist Shirley Shiflett Water Operator of the Year.
And David Hawthorne from the City of Puxico was named Wastewater Operator of the Year.
All honorees received plaques and embroidered jackets from the association.
"It's a good reflection on Russellville and the steps we are taking in a positive direction to move our town forward in these tough economic times," Jenkins said of Platter's recognition. "Karen has been instrumental in helping Russellville search for alternative forms of funding (grants) to help us do some of our projects that otherwise we wouldn't be able to do on our limited budget."