Leesburg City Commissioner Alan Reisman is headed to Washington, D.C., this week after being nominated for a national award recognizing community leadership and service.

Alan has been nominated for the Dwight Lund Community Champion Award, presented through America in Bloom. The award recognizes an individual from a participating America in Bloom community who has demonstrated vision and a selfless commitment to moving their community forward.

“Being nominated for the Dwight Lund Community Champion Award through America in Bloom is truly humbling,” Alan says. “I’m grateful to my fellow commissioners, our dedicated City staff, the Leesburg in Bloom board and everyone in our community who has rallied behind this initiative.”

Leesburg is among the communities participating in America in Bloom, a national nonprofit organization focused on strengthening communities through beautification, environmental efforts, heritage preservation, community involvement and civic pride. More than 400 communities nationwide have participated in the program.

Alan, a lifelong Leesburg resident, was elected to the City Commission in 2022 and currently represents District 2. He also served as mayor in 2025. Outside of public office, he works as a project manager for Firehawk Helicopters and has been involved with a number of local organizations and community initiatives.

His nomination comes as Leesburg continues its involvement with the America in Bloom program through Leesburg in Bloom, which brings residents, volunteers, businesses and city leaders together around projects aimed at improving the appearance and vitality of the community.

“This recognition reflects what we can accomplish when we work together, and I can’t wait to see where we take Leesburg in Bloom next,” Alan says.

The Community Champion Award was created in 2009 in memory of former America in Bloom board member John R. Holmes. It was renamed in 2019 to honor Dwight Lund and his longtime volunteer service and commitment to communities involved in the organization.

A committee reviews nominations from participating communities before selecting one national recipient.

Alan is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., Sept. 24 for America in Bloom’s 2026 Symposium & Awards Celebration, which runs Sept. 24-26. The gathering marks the organization’s 25th anniversary and brings together community leaders and volunteers from across the country for educational sessions, tours and national awards presentations.

Last year’s Community Champion recipient was Emily Lee of Eustis, giving Lake County another connection to the national honor.