ICMA - International City/County Management Association

ICMA's Director of Advocacy, Jason Grant, Ph.D., CPM, recently testified before the City of St. Louis Legislation & Rules Committee in support of BB162, introduced by Daniela Velázquez. This bill proposes adding a City Manager position to enhance government administration. With a 3-2 committee vote, the bill now moves to the full Board's informal calendar for further refinement and public input to ensure it meets the community’s needs. We are proud to support the City of St. Louis and communities nationwide in strengthening local government to better serve their residents.

From budget management to community development, local government offers diverse career paths with the opportunity to make a real difference. Whether you're new to the workforce or a seasoned professional, what's the biggest challenge in transitioning to local government? Vote in the poll and let's discuss in the comments! 

This Black History Month, ICMA celebrates the Black leaders transforming local government and building stronger, more inclusive communities.  Featured in our Member Spotlight is David Ellis, County Manager of Wake County, NC. An ICMA Credentialed Manager, Board Member of the NFBPA - National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and graduate of Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education in State and Local Government program, David exemplifies the power of leadership, innovation, and service. Let’s continue celebrating, learning from, and uplifting the leadership of David Ellis and other changemakers who are shaping the future of local government.

Congratulations to the Winter 2024 recipients of the Local Government Early Career Service Certificate. These emerging leaders have shown exceptional dedication to public service through hands-on projects and leadership in ICMA Student Chapters. • Kirill Eydinov, MPA (University of Michigan-Dearborn) – Kirill is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who launched his ICMA Student Chapter and developed a sister city program to foster cross-cultural collaboration. • Ciji G. (North Carolina Central University) – Ciji is a strategic initiatives analyst and founder of a nonprofit supporting low-income communities and youth empowerment. • Connor Holman (Grand Canyon University) – Connor is a future attorney whose ICMA experience sparked an interest in pursuing an MPA and working in public administration. • Logan Josey (Georgia Southern University) – Logan is passionate about public policy and local government, now working in planning and zoning for Richmond Hill, Georgia. • Angel Torres (St. Petersburg College) – Angel is a first-generation college student and Army veteran who overcame adversity to pursue local government and nonprofit management. Their commitment to public service is inspiring—what advice would you give to early-career professionals in local government? Drop your insights below!

After 42 years in public service, Judith Zimomra transitioned to academia, bringing her wealth of experience and wisdom to the next generation of local government leaders. A four-time recipient of the ICMA Local Government Service Award, Judith now teaches at John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, where she mentors students and guides them through capstone projects, networking, and career planning. Her dedication to preparing future city managers and public servants was recognized with the 2024 Ohio State University Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. As we celebrate her impressive achievements, let's reflect on the power of mentorship during National #MentoringMonth. Judith’s contributions remind us of the lasting impact mentorship can have on shaping the future of local government. Join us in honoring Judith’s incredible journey and the importance of mentorship!

Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM unanimously chosen by the ICMA Executive Board to lead ICMA as its new CEO/Executive Director.   “Julia’s extensive experience as a local government professional, business owner, and senior executive with a passion for public service make her the ideal choice to lead ICMA,” said ICMA President Tanya Ange, ICMA-CM. “Her career demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting local government professionals and advocating for the work they do every day. She understands the importance of meeting the needs of our members, and the Executive Board is confident that ICMA will flourish under her leadership.”   Join us in welcoming Julia Novak as our next CEO/Executive Director as ICMA moves forward in its next chapter of service to our members!

Congratulations to the City of La Marque and the Village of Schaumburg, winners of the #ICMAAwards for Health and Safety! • La Marque, TX: The Safe City Initiative reduced crime by 35%, revitalized neighborhoods, and fostered a thriving housing market through community engagement and innovative funding. • Schaumburg, IL: The Crisis Response and Intervention Program transformed mental health crisis management, integrating social workers into police teams, reducing calls for service by 79%, and enhancing community well-being. Join us in celebrating these groundbreaking initiatives that showcase the transformative power of local government! Cesar Garcia, Brian Townsend, George ( Bill ) Wolf, Shawn Green

The January 2025 #PMMagazine is here with game-changing leadership insights, "Ted Lasso"-inspired strategies, and the power of global connections. From tough decisions to valuable takeaways, these stories offer insight into the challenges and growth that come with leadership. What’s a key lesson you’ve learned as a leader? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Frank Benest, Valerie Barone, David Biggs, Anil Comelo, Kevin Duggan, Melissa Stevenson Diaz, ICMA-CM, Peggy Flynn, Rod Gould, Derek Johnson, Daniel Keen, Dominic Lazzaretto, ICMA-CM, Tess Lengyel, Brian Loventhal, Kevin O'Rourke, Dr. Peter Pirnejad, Laurel Prevetti, Dan Rich, Ed Shikada, Christina Turner, Donna Vaillancourt, PCC, Kevin Woodhouse, Alexander Torpey, Christian L. Janousek, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Creighton University, Dag Olaf Torjesen, PhD, professor, Department of Political Science and Management, University of Agder (UiA), Sue Crawford, Robert Blair, Rick Davis, ICMA-CM, Ed Everett, Daniel Gerard, Tom Carroll, John Eck, Shannon J. Linning, Phd, is an assistant professor at SFU Criminology (Simon Fraser University), Scott Andrews, Ed.D., Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education, Justin Ezell, Craddock Stropes, Daniela Rivas, ICMA-CM, MPA CPM, Ted Richardson

On #ThankYouMentorDay, we celebrate the powerful impact mentorship has had on shaping leaders like Peter Troedsson. His journey from military service to local government leadership was guided by dedicated mentors who helped him grow into the leader he is today. The future of good governance relies supporting the next generation of leaders. Peter is committed to paying it forward, just as his mentors did for him. Who has made a difference in your journey? Share your mentoring story in the comments below!

As we reflect on the impact of the Southern California wildfires, we recognize that the individuals and communities affected by this tragedy will face lasting changes. To our colleagues and all public servants striving to protect and rebuild their communities, please know that ICMA’s network of professional administrators from around the world stand with you to support your efforts. We express our deepest gratitude for your enduring sacrifice and commitment. Now, more than ever, your leadership and dedication to public service provide hope for a brighter future.