Traverse City-based construction management firm Cunningham-Limp named Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) Executive Director Kelly Dunham as the recipient of its inaugural Community Builder Award from a pool of 17 finalists.

The award was established by Cunningham-Limp to spotlight and honor a leader or organization in the Grand Traverse region who has built, improved, or creatively utilized a space that has significantly enhanced their community.

“Dunham has been with BATA since 2009. In her time there, she has had a transformational impact on the Grand Traverse region, namely with the innovative new BATA Operations Center, an in-progress development in partnership with Traverse City Housing Commission that will address some of the most critical needs in the community, including affordable housing, transportation accessibility, and childcare support,” Cunningham-Limp said in a release. “To help bring the vision to life, Dunham has secured state and federal grants totaling over $23 million and forged meaningful partnerships with community organizations to ensure transportation is accessible for all area residents.”

Nominations were reviewed by a diverse panel of judges, each with a wide network and specific knowledge of community projects across Northwest Michigan, including: 

·        Laura Galbraith – Executive Director at Venture North

·        Beth Friend – Township Supervisor at East Bay Charter Township

·        Doug DeYoung – Public Affairs Manager at Consumers Energy

·        Andy Cole – Senior Vice President, Northwest Region at Cunningham-Limp

·        Sakura Takano – Chief Executive Officer at Rotary Charities of Traverse City

"The goal of this award is to recognize the incredible leaders behind the many building projects that significantly enhance the communities across Northwest Michigan,” Andy Cole, Senior Vice President at Cunningham Limp, said in the release. “To tackle some of our community’s most critical needs, Kelly was required to align partners around a bold vision, navigate a complex funding structure, and shepherd a large team forced to make thousands of difficult decisions in a constantly shifting landscape. Kelly exemplifies the grit, creativity, and leadership qualities required to bring such an important and impactful project to fruition, and we are very proud to present her with the first ever Cunningham-Limp Community Builder Award.” 

For information about the other finalists, click here.