Larry Emig received a standing ovation Wednesday, Mar. 4, from the Michigan Works! West Central Workforce Development and Local-Elected Officials (LEO) boards for his dedication and years of service to the organization.

Emig has served on the joint boards in two different capacities since 1993. To recognize his more than three decades of service, the conference room at the organization's Reed City service center is being dedicated in Emig's honor. A plaque will forever hang outside the doorway alerting all who enter the room about his passion and dedication to workforce development.

“Larry’s leadership has shaped this board, strengthened our communities and set a standard for public service that will endure long after he leaves this board someday,” said Shelly Keene, Michigan Works! West Central CEO. “It gives me great pleasure to honor his efforts and commitment to this organization by dedicating this conference room in his name. He is a staunch advocate for our organization and a great friend.”

For more than three decades, Emig has embodied what it means to be a public servant whose leadership is defined not by recognition, but by responsibility. Since first joining the workforce board in 1993, he has been a steady and trusted presence, serving initially on the LEO board as an Osceola County commissioner and continuing today on the Workforce Development Board representing the Mecosta-Osceola Youth Attention Center. From 2009 through 2020, he helped guide the organization as LEO board chair, offering thoughtful leadership marked by integrity, fairness and an unwavering focus on the people and communities served by Michigan Works! West Central.
Emig's service has never been about the passage of time; it has been about stewardship. As old programs evolved and as new initiatives took shape, he stood alongside the organization, supportive and committed to ensuring each new effort grew into meaningful and effective services. His institutional knowledge and quiet consistency helped strengthen the organization’s programs that continue to change lives across its six-county region.

“I’m proud to stand here in front of friends and colleagues to accept this honor,” Emig said during the presentation. “It’s been my pleasure to serve on this board for so long and it means a great deal to me to continue to work alongside Shelly and her staff, and so many dedicated fellow board members. Thank you!”

While Larry has never sought the spotlight, his impact has not gone unnoticed. He has been recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce (2011) and honored with the Claude Pepper Award (2012) from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for his efforts to improve the lives of seniors. These are fitting acknowledgments for a lifetime spent putting his community first.

In addition to the presentation of the plaque, Emig also was given a legislative tribute recognizing his years of service, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, State Rep. Tom Kunse and State Sen. Roger Hauck.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Michigan Works! West Central.}