Several community members and City employees were awarded for their efforts to serve the Allen community over the past year at the Annual Board Appreciation Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
Held on December 3, this event is also an opportunity for Allen City Council to recognize the City’s boards and commissions for their work in making Allen the place it is today.
During the event, Mayor Ken Fulk presented the Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award to five individuals who each made valuable contributions to the community through volunteer service in a wide variety of categories, such as recreation, library, arts, environment, education, public safety, civic and human services.
Recipients of the 2021 Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award
Allen Fire Chief Jonathon Boyd
Fire Chief Boyd’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Allen Fire Department’s community-wide vaccination distribution efforts made him an easy choice to receive this award. Chief Boyd’s forward-thinking preparation, lauded efforts to distribute vaccines and diligence in working with local partners and health agencies were all cited by Mayor Fulk during his presentation of this award.
Assistant City Manager Tim Dentler
Tim Dentler’s work in Allen spans decades and departments. Over his nearly 30 years in service to the Allen community, he has worked as the Parks Services Manager, Director of Parks and Recreation, and currently, Assistant City Manager. Among his accomplishments as Director of Parks and Recreation, Dentler has overseen the development of more than 1,300 acres of parkland, 66 parks and facilities and more than 78 miles of hike and bike trails. He now oversees four City departments (Allen Parks and Recreation, Allen Public Library, Allen Convention and Visitors Bureau, Public and Media Relations Office) as Assistant City Manager.
Jim Waldbauer
A member of the Allen community for more than 35 years, Jim Waldbauer has dedicated more than 30 of those years to serving Allen. While he founded the Allen Parks Foundation in 2001 and serves as its president, Waldbauer’s history of community service in Allen spans many areas and interests – beginning with his eight years of service as a Reserve Volunteer Firefighter from 1991-1998. Since then, he has served on the Allen Parks and Recreation Board for 10 years and volunteered for Citizens on Patrol (COP) for 7 years. Jim Waldbauer is currently a member of the Allen Heritage Guild (20 years) and the Allen Public Safety Recovery Fund (13 years).
Tom Keener
Often known as Allen’s unofficial historian, Tom Keener’s interest in Allen’s past has given him a perspective few have. In 1992, during his time in the City of Allen’s Community Development department, Keener’s skills and knowledge were vital to the City of Allen receiving the Strategic Planning Award. Today, his wealth of knowledge is invaluable to Allen Public Library, where he currently serves as the Cultural Arts Manager – working to provide historical, diverse and thought-provoking programs to Allen residents who frequent the facility. When not working at Allen Public Library, Keener serves as the historian for the Allen Heritage Guild and as a member of the Tejas Storytelling Association and Texas Folklore Society.
George Chrisman
For nearly 20 years, George Chrisman has helped shape Allen into the community seen today through his work on City boards and commissions like the Community Development Corporation (CDC). First appointed to the CDC in 2003, Chrisman has overseen numerous projects all over the City of Allen including the construction of Allen Event Center, the Six Cities Trail, Spirit Park, the trail marker program, the restoration of Allen Heritage Village and the upcoming Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center. Along with his time with the CDC, Chrisman helped initiate a “Heroes on the Water” Chapter in Allen to promote alternative therapeutic programs for veterans, active-duty military, first responders and their families.
About Boards and Commission Service
The various workings of the city include service by residents that volunteer on 13 of boards and commission. These include Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Central Business District Design Review Committee, Community Development Corporation, Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee, Downtown Steering Committee, Economic Development Corporation, Keep Allen Beautiful, Library Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Public Art Committee and the Board of Adjustment, Sign Control and Building and Standards Commission.
All qualified voters with one year of residency in the City of Allen are eligible to apply for positions with any of the council-appointed boards. Learn more about the application process.
During 2021, residents were appointed to serve on two special committees for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The work of this committee concluded in November. Read the committee's findings and report.
Work for the Downtown Allen Steering Committee is still underway with various community engagement activities available through early 2022. Find out more about these activities at DowntownAllen.com.