The mayor of Dawsonville has been named the 2013 Elected Official of the Year by the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission.

James Grogan received the honor during the commission's annual Christmas meeting and awards dinner Dec. 6 at the Dillard House Conference Center in Dillard.

"I didn't realize they had called my name," Grogan said. "Everyone at the table said, ‘They called your name.' But I still didn't believe that I was to receive this award. I was totally shocked."

According to Danny Lewis, executive director of the commission, Grogan is "an example of the leadership we have in this region."

"He exemplifies what we like to work with each and every day," Lewis said. "The city uses the services of this GMRC and we likewise use the facilities owned by the city. He is a friend of the GMRC and we, likewise, of the Dawsonville community."

Grogan said that he and the city shared Lewis' view of the partnership.

"Danny Lewis and the staff at Georgia Mountains Regional Commission are wonderful to have as friends of Dawsonville," he said. "They work not only with us, but with 13 other counties in north Georgia. Their help and expertise in many areas make us all better at our particular jobs."

Lewis said that Grogan was chosen due to his constant involvement with the commission.

"He is an outstanding council member and makes it a point to attend every one of our monthly council meetings," he said. "He is active on committees and is open and forthright in his participation in our sessions. James is a perfect example of what an excellent member looks like."

To Grogan, however, the award is affirmation of everything being done in Dawsonville.

"We've worked on a lot of things this year," Grogan said." Some have been completed while others are being worked on to completion."