Longtime City of Red Deer employee Annette Scheper has been named the 2025 recipient of the Bob Stollings Memorial Award, one of the highest honours given to City staff.
Scheper, a Community & Program Facilitator with the Safe & Healthy Communities Department, has dedicated 22 years to enhancing the city’s cultural and special events landscape. Her leadership and innovation have helped bring thousands of successful events to life, fostering a strong sense of community and creating lasting traditions for Red Deerians to enjoy.
The Bob Stollings Memorial Award is presented each year to a City employee who exemplifies the organization’s RISE cornerstone values: respect, integrity, service, and excellence. Nominations are submitted by colleagues, highlighting the nominee’s professional accomplishments and positive impact on others in the workplace. The award was established in 1985 in memory of Robert (Bob) E. Stollings, a respected City employee who served from 1960 to 1984.
One of Scheper’s standout achievements is the creation of the Community Loan Program, which supports local groups by providing access to resources for community events. The program is estimated to return nearly $87,000 in value to the community each year.
In addition to this, Scheper has led numerous large-scale community events, often incorporating sustainable practices and creative solutions. From crafting event designs with repurposed materials to overseeing complex logistics, her work consistently raises the bar.
“Annette exemplifies the best of our organization,” said city manager Tara Lodewyk. “Her unwavering dedication, innovative thinking, and ability to bring people together has made a profound impact on our city. This award is a testament to her hard work and passion for creating meaningful experiences for our community.”
The recognition highlights Scheper’s commitment not only to excellence in her work, but also to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment across all City-led community initiatives.
Her colleagues describe her as a role model whose enthusiasm and resourcefulness inspire those around her. As this year’s recipient of the Bob Stollings Memorial Award, she joins a long list of dedicated individuals who have gone above and beyond to serve the people of Red Deer.
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