Traverse City Clerk Benjamin Marentette has been namd the 2017 Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.

Marentette was one of five city clerks nominated for the award, which also honors individuals in township and village categories. For City Clerk of the Year, candidates are selected based on criteria including: years of experience as a municipal clerk; demonstrated greater-than-average performance in the position; active in county, state and national associations; demonstrated interest in improving their professional and personal skills, and in the advancement of the profession; and a record of contributing to the improvement of their community and the respect of community leaders.

According to his nomination, Marentette has worked for the City of Traverse City for nearly 17 years, six of them as the city clerk and 11 as the deputy city clerk. "Benjamin loves public service and is a key member of the city's leadership team, who works to engage all facets of the community in city decisions," his nomination states. "Benjamin is called upon by various organizations in the community to assist with strategic issues, is proud to serve as a professional public administrator, and has been recently accepted into Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. He frequently collaborates with elected and appointed officials to draft and enact local ordinances and policies."

Marentette holds the Master Municipal Clerk designation, the highest-level professional designation for city clerks in the world, and has earned a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance and leadership.

"Obviously I'm thrilled, it's an absolute honor," Marentette said of receiving the award. "I'm grateful."