MMHR presents Skop Award to Michael Taylor

Pittsfield Human Resources Director Michael Taylor received the 2025 Emil S. Skop Award during a Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources-sponsored workshop at Connect 351 on Jan. 23 in Boston.

The Skop Award is given each year in recognition of outstanding contributions made to the field of municipal human resources management.

In presenting the award, Westwood Assistant Town Administrator Molly Fitzpatrick, the Skop Award recipient in 2024, lauded Taylor’s achievements.

“In his community, he has taken a thoughtful, forward-looking approach to municipal HR — modernizing systems, centering equity and inclusion, and building employee supports that are both thoughtful and practical,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Municipal HR professionals from across the state regularly turn to him for advice, perspective, and calm guidance through some very complex personnel and labor issues,” she added.

Fitzpatrick also highlighted Taylor’s role in MMHR, noting his effectiveness in turning ideas into action, especially with MMHR’s new Pathways program, which helps members tailor their professional development journey around key HR disciplines.

“Because of Michael Taylor’s leadership, Pathways didn’t stay a concept,” Fitzpatrick said. “It launched this year — which means fewer conversations about why we need it, and more conversations about how well it’s working. … But beyond the accomplishments, and there are many, what stands out most to me is how this person shows up.”

Skop was one of the founding members of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association (renamed MMHR in 2019) and served as its first executive secretary. He’s remembered for his tireless commitment to the municipal HR profession.