COG honors Antoine M. Thompson with Regional award

Washington, DC (December 4, 2025) – Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart was recognized with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) highest honor for an elected official, the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award, during its annual meeting yesterday. The event, held at DC Water’s headquarters, brought together more than 200 government, business, nonprofit, and civic sector leaders to celebrate regional collaboration on initiatives that enhance the region’s quality of life.

Kate Stewart received the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award
Kate Stewart, who just concluded her one-year term as Montgomery County Council President, was recognized for her exceptional regional leadership. In her time serving on the COG Board of Directors, including her term as Board Chair in 2023, she has been a driving force on regional initiatives to advance racial equity leadership training programs, support ambitious clean energy goals, and convene leaders around sustainable long-term funding for WMATA, helping lay the groundwork for the recently released DMVMoves regional transit vision and funding plan.
The Scull Award is presented to a local, state, or federal elected official serving a COG member jurisdiction. It is presented in the memory of Elizabeth and David Scull, two former Montgomery County Councilmembers who were strong supporters of COG and regional cooperation.

Antoine Thompson received the Stuart A. Freudberg Award for Regional Partnership
Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition Executive Director Antoine M.  Thompson was honored for advancing clean transportation, environmental justice, and workforce development throughout the region. He has partnered with COG on electric vehicle initiatives, promoted cleaner fuels, and organized regional job fairs connecting underserved residents with employment and training in clean energy, transportation, and related sectors.
The Freudberg Award recognizes organizations or individuals that provided leadership in support of regional policies or programs endorsed by COG. The award is presented in the memory of Stuart A. Freudberg, who in his 40-year career at COG, served in several leadership positions in the organization, including Deputy Executive Director from 2014 to 2020.

Robert Lazaro Jr. received the Ronald F. Kirby Award for Collaborative Leadership
Former Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission Robert Lazaro Jr. was recognized for his career advancing sustainability, clean energy, and regional collaboration. He led NVRC’s Solarize program to expand solar adoption, and his public service as a former Purcellville mayor and engagement as a member of many regional boards reflect decades of innovative, collaborative leadership for local and regional communities.

The Kirby Award honors area government executives who work collaboratively with elected officials, stakeholders, and their communities to shape a better region. The award is presented in the memory of Ron Kirby, COG’s Transportation Planning Director from 1987 to 2013.