The City of Boerne’s Communications and Civic Engagement Department has been recognized on both the state and national stage for excellence in government communications.
Communications and Civic Engagement Director Chris Shadrock was recognized as one of four finalists nationwide for the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Rising Star Award, while the department also received a Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) Award of Honor for its residential trash and recycling collection schedule changes marketing campaign.
Since joining the City of Boerne in 2019, Shadrock has led numerous initiatives aimed at improving communication, increasing transparency, and strengthening engagement with residents. He has supported countywide pandemic communications efforts, launching MyBoerneNews.com, modernizing emergency notification systems, and coordinating public outreach for major projects and initiatives.
“At its core, local government is about serving people, and that requires trust. Director Shadrock and our Communications and Civic Engagement team have worked tirelessly to ensure residents receive timely, accurate, and meaningful information about the services, projects, and decisions that impact their daily lives,” City Manager Ben Thatcher said. “This recognition is well deserved and reflects the professionalism, innovation, and service mindset that Chris and the entire team bring to their work.”
The NAGC award honors individuals who are already making a lasting impact through innovation, collaboration, and commitment to public service.
At the state level, the department earned a TAMIO Award of Honor in the Marketing Plan or Campaign category for cities with populations under 50,000. The award was presented during TAMIO’s annual conference in early June, which featured 711 entries from municipal communicators across the Lone Star State.
The award-winning campaign supported changes to Boerne Utilities’ residential trash and recycling collection schedule, which impacted nearly 80 percent of all customers. The department developed a comprehensive outreach strategy that included website content, social media videos, e-newsletters, direct digital notifications, and partnerships with local media outlets.
The campaign’s success was reflected in customer response. Despite the service update affecting multiple neighborhoods throughout the community, Utilities Customer Care and Billing only received two resident inquiries regarding the new collection schedule.
“These recognitions reflect a team effort and commitment to serving our community,” Shadrock said. “Whether we’re helping residents navigate a service change, responding during an emergency, or sharing stories about the great work done every day by members of Team Boerne, our goal is always to provide clear, timely, and transparent information.”
The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers is a statewide organization dedicated to advancing excellence in municipal communications, while the National Association of Government Communicators serves communications professionals working across all levels of government throughout the United States.
