Florida League Of Cities Honors Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper with E. Harris Drew Municipal Lifetime Achievement Award

ALACHUA – Mayor Gib Coerper of Alachua has been awarded the prestigious E. Harris Drew Municipal Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of dedication to public service and his outstanding contributions to the City of Alachua and the state of Florida. The award was presented by the Florida League of Cities (FLC) during its Annual Conference on Aug. 16, 2024.

The E. Harris Drew Municipal Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the FLC, an organization that has been promoting municipal self-governance in Florida since its formation in 1922. Named after Supreme Court Justice E. Harris Drew, the award acknowledges local elected officials who have made significant and lasting impacts on their communities through dedicated public service.

“Throughout my life, I’ve always volunteered and I’ve always wanted to help,” Coerper said after receiving the award. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I’ve been in the City of Alachua for nearly 50 years and it’s such an honor to be involved in this wonderful community.”

A resident and homeowner in Alachua since 1974, Coerper has devoted his life to the service of his community. He was first elected to the Alachua City Commission in 1999 and has since been re-elected four times. Beyond his official duties, Coerper has been deeply involved in youth mentorship, serving as a youth liaison for Boy Scouts of America Troop 88 for nearly two decades and volunteering as a tutor in the local elementary school.

“I love helping kids become good adults,” Coerper added, reflecting on his extensive community work.

Under Coerper's leadership, Alachua has experienced significant growth while preserving its small-town charm. His focus on infrastructure and technology has attracted major companies and bioscience businesses to the area, creating diverse employment opportunities. A notable achievement was the acquisition of a multimillion-dollar Florida Job Growth Grant, which was used to develop a parkway that could potentially double the region’s bioscience sector.

Alachua City Commissioner Dayna Miller praised Coerper's accomplishments, saying, “The E. Harris Drew Achievement Award that Mayor Coerper recently received was certainly well deserved; he’s accomplished great things as our mayor. He has been a member of this community for many years, and his heart for Alachua shines bright. I am proud to serve the City of Alachua alongside him.”

Coerper’s contributions extend beyond his mayoral duties. He has served as the Vice Chair of the Florida League of Cities Nominating Committee, President of the Alachua County League of Cities, and is a two-time recipient of the Florida League of Cities' Home Rule Hero Award. He remains an active member of the Alachua Chamber of Commerce and the Florida League of Mayors and has previously served on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

In addition to his civic duties, Coerper is an active volunteer for various organizations, including the American Cancer Society and Keep Alachua County Beautiful. He is also a committed member of the Alachua Lions Club and has previously been recognized by Lions Club International with the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship in 2013. Other accolades include being named the 2013 Volunteer of the Year by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce and receiving the Outstanding Service to Our Community award from St. Luke AME Church of Alachua.

Coerper’s leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on the City of Alachua, and his recent recognition by the Florida League of Cities is a testament to his unwavering commitment to public service and community enrichment.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com