The Texas Municipal League (TML) recognized Cindy Karch, city secretary/finance director and Cassandra Sampson, councilwoman Ward 3 as Leadership Fellows on Friday, May 13, at the Austin Marriott North Hotel in Round Rock.

Karch and Sampson were honored by Bennett Sandlin, TML executive director, during the awards ceremony.

The award recipients – elected, appointed and other city officials from throughout Texas – voluntarily completed more than 30 hours of training, over two months, to enhance their leadership skills.

Participants explored the principles and characteristics of ethical leadership, learned to build trust and community, discovered ways to improve team building and communication skills, and practiced negotiation for strategic influence.

They discussed local issues in the broader leadership context, with the goal of applying learnings to their public service role and to benefit their cities and residents.