OAK PARK, Mich. – The City of Oak Park announced that City Manager Erik Tungate, MBA, ICMA-CM, PSHRA-SCP, was officially named the SEMCOG Regional Ambassador Award recipient, recognizing his decade-long leadership in fiscal stewardship, regional cooperation and community revitalization.

Tungate, who has served as city manager since 2012, was selected for guiding Oak Park from severe fiscal distress to a period of historic reinvestment and stability. Under his leadership, the city strengthened its financial position, modernized infrastructure and advanced major redevelopment initiatives, including the award‑winning Nine Mile Corridor transformation and the voter‑approved Elevate Oak Park recreation improvements.

“This recognition reflects Erik’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Oak Park and the entire Southeast Michigan region,” said Oak Park Mayor Marian McClellan. “His collaborative approach and forward‑thinking leadership have made a lasting impact on our community.”

As an ICMA‑Credentialed Manager, Tungate has served on several regional boards, including SEMCOG, the Michigan Municipal League’s Municipal Finance Subcommittee, the Great Lakes Public Employer Labor Relations Association and the Eight Mile Boulevard Association. His work has helped advance coordinated policy discussions on municipal finance, infrastructure investment and economic development across Southeast Michigan.

“Being named Regional Ambassador is an honor I share with our dedicated city staff, elected officials and community partners,” Tungate said. “Oak Park’s success is rooted in collaboration, and I’m proud of the role we play in strengthening the region.”

The SEMCOG Regional Ambassador Award recognizes individuals who make Southeast Michigan a better place to live and work through innovation, partnership and sustained public service, and is the organization’s highest honor.

Tungate’s nomination highlighted his leadership in stabilizing Oak Park’s finances, reducing commercial vacancy rates, attracting new employers and advancing more than $55 million in citywide infrastructure improvements. His contributions have strengthened regional economic competitiveness, enhanced quality‑of‑life amenities and supported sustainable growth.

For more information about the City of Oak Park, visit OakParkMI.gov or follow the city on social media.

About the City of Oak Park The City of Oak Park was founded in 1945 as a commuter community and remains an integral inner-ring suburb of Metro Detroit. Oak Park is known for its tight-knit neighborhoods, tree-lined streets and wooded parks. Today, the city offers a quaint, yet vibrant atmosphere rich with history, culture, diversity and opportunity. The city continues to build upon a strong tradition of attainable housing options, safe and stable neighborhoods, recreational amenities and close proximity to Metropolitan Detroit. Oak Park has experienced a recent wave of reinvestment, new development, events, eateries and more. To learn more about all things Oak Park, visit www.oakparkmi.gov and follow the city on social media.

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