Watts Recognized By Commissioners For Award

 In April, Arkansas City Administrative Assistant Terice Watts was named the Nancy Crain Administrative Professional of the Year during the AAKC-Administrative Assistants of Kansas Cities annual meeting in Olathe, Kan. Watts was recognized for this honor during the Aug. 6, 2024, City Commission meeting. 

The AAKC Municipal Administrative Assistant Award, now known as the Nancy Crain Memorial Award, was established in 2009. It aims to honor administrative assistants who contribute their expertise to their profession and community, along with their commitment to their municipalities. 

In 2010, the award was renamed in memory of Nancy Crain, a dedicated AAKC founding member who tragically lost her battle with cancer. At the time of her passing, Crain was an employee of the City of Arkansas City. 

"I was privileged to work with Nancy when I first hired on with the city. It is an honor to be the first to receive the award in the municipality she worked for," said Watts. 

Since joining AAKC, Watts served as membership chair from 2010-2015. She currently serves as the AAKC president, a position she was elected to in 2021. In addition, Watts has held roles as president and vice president of the Kansas City Metro Association of Permit Technicians, serving as president from 2017-2022 and holding the office of vice president since her election in 2023. 

Locally, Watts served as a Jefferson PTO officer from 2008-2011 and the Jefferson Elementary PTO president from 2011-2017. She currently serves as the Cowley County Humane Society president. 

The Nancy Crain Memorial Award is one of the highest honors an administrative professional can receive. It recognizes those who contribute their skills to their profession and community and are dedicated to their municipalities. 

Watts will also be recognized at the League of Kansas Municipalities' annual conference in October and featured in an upcoming issue of the LKM magazine, Kansas Government Journal. 

CUTLINE: Pictured with Terice Watts, Center, is City Clerk Tiffany Parsons, left, and City Manager Randy Frazer, right. In April, Arkansas City Administrative Assistant Terice Watts was named the Nancy Crain Administrative Professional of the Year during the AAKC-Administrative Assistants of Kansas Cities annual meeting in Olathe, Kan. Watts was recognized for this honor during the Aug. 6, 2024, City Commission meeting