Recently retired Albert Lea City Planner Bob Graham was the recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association. The award was presented to Graham on Sept. 18 during the Upper Midwest Planning Conference at the Rochester Civic Center. A special reception was held at the Rochester Art Center in honor of his achievements.

Graham has served as treasurer and president of the Minnesota Planning Association and is a charter member of the American Planning Association. He served more than 20 years on the Minnesota Chapter Board of Directors and was the author of the first planning commissioner truing manual entitled, “So You’re a Planning Commissioner, Now What?”

Graham is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and has been a professional city planner for 46 years, of which 34 years he served in Albert Lea as the city planner and community development director. He is continuing his career as an independent planning consultant. More information can be found on his website at www.thecenterforcreativity.com.

Graham and his wife, Judy, have four children and six grandchildren. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, is active in its music programs and is also a member of the Daybreakers Kiwanis Club with 33 years perfect attendance.