Nutter announces Dilworth award winner

Mayor Michael Nutter today announced that John Elfrey, director of operations in the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities, has won the second annual Richardson Dilworth Award.

The award recognizes an outstanding city employee who strives for excellence in public service.

Elfrey will receive a a $5,000 cash prize, four tickets to an event of his choice in the Mayor's, a name on a plaque in City Hall, and a luncheon.

"John exemplifies some of the best qualities that the Richardson Dilworth Award was created to acknowledge: innovation, dedication and self-motivation," Nutter said in a press release.

Elfrey began working for Philadelphia in 1985 and has served in various roles, including acting commissioner for License and Inspections (L&I).

He is credited with implementing a city-wide billing system for businesses without licenses that netted the city more than $1.6 million.

He was selected from among 161 nominees from various city departments.

The award is being sponsored by Dilworth Paxson LLP and managed by The Fund for Philadelphia, Inc.

Read Miriam Hill's full story in the Inquirer on Elfrey here.